Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1915-03-11
CHAPTER VII.
A Communication From Nathaniel

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"HE months that followed were
the hardest in O'Connells life.
Strive as he would, he could
find no really remuneratiye en-
ployment. He had no special training.
He knew no trade. His pen, though
glow Of %eloQuence he had when speak
ing. He worked in shops and in fac
tories. He tried to report on news
papers. But his lack of experience ev-
erywhere handicapped him. What he
contrived to earn during those months
Of struggle was all too little as the
time approached for the great event.
Angela was now entirely confined to
her bed. She seemed to grow more
spirit-like every day. A terrible dread
haunted O'Connell waking and sleep
ing. He would start out of some ter
rible dream at night and listen to her
breathing. When he would hurry back
at the close of some long, d%isappoint-
ing day his heart would be hammer
ing duly with fear for his loved II
AS the months wore on his face be-
came lined with care and the bright
gold of his hair dimmed with streaks
of silver. But he never faltercd or
lost courage. lie always felt he must
win the fight for existence as he
G to win the greater conflict
later-for liberty.
Angela. lying so still. through the
long days. could only hope. She felt
so helpless. 1t was woman's weak
ness that brought men like O'Connell
to the edge of despair. And hers was
not merely bodily weakness, but the
more poignant one Of pride. Was it
fair to her husband. Was it just? In
England she had prosperous relatives.
They would not let her die in her mis-
cry. They could not let her baby come
into the world with poverty as its only
Inheritance. Till now she had been
unable to master her feeling Of hatred
and b.. -terness for her brother Nathan
iel, her intense dislike and contempt
for her sister Monica. From the time
she left England she had not written
to either of them. Could she now
Something decided her.
One night O'Connell came back dis
heartened. Try as he would, he coul6
not conceal it. He was getting to the
end Of his courage. There was insult
ticient work at the shop he had been
working in for several weeks. He had
been told he need not come again.
Angela, lying m~otionIess and white
tried to comfort him and give hin
heart.
She made up her mind that night
The next day she wrote to her brother
She could not bring herself to ex
press n regret for what she had done
or said. On the contrary. she made
many references to her happiness with
the man she loved. She did write OF
the hardships they were passing
through. But they were only tempo
rary. O'Connell was so clever, sc
brilliant, he must win in the end. Only
just now she was i'll. She needed help
She asked no gift-a loan merely.
They would pay it back when the days
of plenty came. She would not ask
>'S1 Shlo GIG IL " IAdC u "do 4o'
only i'll. but the one great, wonderful
thing in the world was to be vouch,
safed her-motherhood. In the name
Of her unborn baby she begged him tt
send an immediate response.
She asked a neighbor to post the let
ter SO that O'Connell would not know
Of her sacrifice. She waited anxiously
for a reply.
Some considerable time afterward-
ON the eve Of her travail and wher
things with O'Connell We're at theil
worst-the answer came by cable.
She was alone when it came.
rier heart beat furiously as she open
ed It Even II he only sent Il little 81
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