Year: 1879

u uSt iilHi uOI Ilaft p'ttieHce WItl uiIil I could not deny it any more. When I thought of your face as you last spoke of him I knew it was true. And even while 1 was sorrowfully thinking about it he began to say other things. He said there was no one in the world from whom he could hope for love, and trust, and patience, unless it was from me. He asked me if did not know it. And when I looked into my own heart and thought it all over, I did know it. I could no more deny it than I could the other.

 You thought me weak and foolish to accept his love, Roxie. You did not know how full of love and fear my heart was. The more gladI was that could love him, the less blind I was to all the dangers that hung over us both. l was not so rash as to think that my weak hand alone could avert them. There was only this, Roxie; it was the only human hand that was nerved to try. I knew in my heart that I did right. I knew you had ceased to feel pain in regard to Robert. I knew it was not jealousy that led you to give me that warning when you heard we were engaged. I would live to be drunkard's wife, you said. l knew it might be true, but it did not shake me then; and since it has come true, Roxie, if all were to be done over again think I could not act differently I only want you to feel that my lnar- rying him was not-as you thought then-just blind surrender to what l knew was foolish and wrong.

 I was better than you? Oh. no; my way was open when yours was barred that was all. You needed to marry a strong. perfect man like Adam Mayhew You could work freely with him. But if 1 had married such an one, so great and self-sustained, I should not have lived freely with him. There's strange cowardice in n-e, Roxie. never dared use my life much except where I felt a very great need for it. Robert needed it.

 The first time that he fell after our marriage was as wretched as you could have foretold. But I had been sick and he was out of work I hastened to get better, and then he got better also. The next year we got on much better than 1 hoped till that last night.

 Poor Robert. If only he had not taken it so hard-if only he had not gone away! If I could only once have talked it over with him and comforted him!

 He did not strike me so hard; it was not the blow that made me fall. I was weak, and staggered. I had the baby in my arms, and could not break my falling. It would not have hurt me if 1t had not hean far +l; ----1---r -n : chair. I fell upon it. It was that which hurt my back.

 I know how it is was with him-it sobered him to see me fall; and in one minute he was full of remorse. When they told him was coming to my senses and calling for him he fled away out of the house. It was shame and despair in his heart. He felt as if he had been a curse to me. They said he had deserted me because l was now helpless. That is false, Roxie. Do not believe it.

 You do not? That is like you, so gen. erous and just! Let me tell you. I have had money sent me from some unknown person. Miss Cumnor does not encourage me to think that it comes from Robert. She thinks it is sent by some charitable person. She hopes he may never come back, and does not want me to think oi him. But know he sent the money. ' ou think so, toaP Oh, Roxie-then he is doing well somewhere, and think ing of me! If I might only see him. You think could only be helpless, dis couraging burden to him, now that I may never walk again. And it is hard to think that if. he should come back he would still find me lying here. 1 wouldn't mind it all if it were not fer his sake. And yet if he would only come back I know could be something to him still. He would find could be happy lying here-and Roxie-oh, ,Roxie. Il never had before-never before-such love, and courage, and faith in my heart for him as have now!

 You say you think he will come back. I know he will some time; but it seems hard to wait. When I think of his sor- row and all his temptations, and think I might talk to him and comfort him, it seems hard to wait. It is whole year, Roxie! Think, if you had been sepa- rated from your husband a whole year, while you had been i'll and both of you had been in sorrow!

 You think he will come back soono Roxie, you know something about him! He has been to South America on one of your husbands vessels. He has been doing well. It was he who sen; me the money. Oh, Roxie, tell him I want to see him. Tell him I must see him!

 Could I bear to see him now? Then he is here! Call him quick, Roxie! That is his step l hear! Oh Robert! Robert! -iSaasday Afternoon.