The Monmouth inquirer., 1926-11-04

much about any OF the others. Never
came near me for a week after little
Hetty was born. wonder why Dan
iel didn't love the children His own
childrenl But then don't believe he
ever loved me even In the beginning.
Used TO act as though he did. at first,
but that soon quit after little Dan
came. Then he changed round like a
shot wonder ~
She broke the thread of her thoughts
to moistenc her husbands lips. He was
breathing more heavily. The indenta-
lions In his pinched nostrils were deep
er.
"He isn't going to last much longer
she told herself as She resumed her
seat. He's getting weaker" Uncon-
sciously she tcok up her train Of
thought where she had broken off.
Il wonder if he'd have cared more
lii hadn't given so much time to
the children ?" The suggestion startled
her. Not only had she never put It
into words before, but it had never
SO much as occurred to her.
Il have always done my duty she
reminded herself sternly which, being
interpreted, meant that Daniel Duns-
comb had never lacked for clothing,
food and home properly conducted.
Even after he began to make it very
hard for me, did my duty"
A tinge Of self-pity almost brought
the tears to her eyes at the remem-
brance OF how difficult that duty had
finally become.
"Iswonder if he was jealous of the
children?" She was amazed at the
possibility. That he was man OF
violent and lasting emotion she had
always know, but she realized now for
the first. time, that, stung to q contiE
ual jealousy, he might easily be capa-
BILE Of all that had occurred later.
She began to experience a strange era
bryonic pity for the man.
.adQ wonder if-I did right7' she
AGED herself
II
N~~-~-
moved his head from side to side. One
hand reached out blindly, gropingEy,
and grasped her sleeve. The action
brought vividly to her memory how
her last, littlest baby had passed out
into the beyond. clutching pitifully at
her hands
In that moment something broke
within Priscilla Dunscomb-- something
hard icy and unforgiving, THAI had
bound her in its iron grasp for twenty
long years! The man before her ep-
peared no longer the hateful being
who had embittered her life. He was,
weak, he was helpless. he. was less
than child in every faculty; he was
dying! A great, plying tenderness
swept over her, instantly augmented
by a deep, soul-scorching terror sac
slipped to her knees by the bedside In
an ecstasy Of unwonted prayer.
"oh, Lord, don't let him diet" she
stumbled. ~.I haven't done right, by
him all my lifel Give me another
chance. Give him back to me, if it's
only for year, ard I'll try to make
I'D for it. Don't let him go, Lordl
I'll give him my love-"
She held herself rigid, gripped by
the thought that slid into her con-
seriousness. He was going to come
to himself fora moment soon. She
searched his gray countenance intent
". It might come now at any time
she knew by familiar. infallible signs.
On that moment Of consciousness, she
felt, hung the answer to her petition
Il wish he could see me as used
to before. 1t might make differ
ence!s she groaned. Getting to her
feet, she went across the room and
scanned herself feverishiy in the little
cxa6ilashmirror over the bureau
anged dreadfully changed!