G THE DAILY BEE : JANUARY 1 , 1881.
POKTRY OP THE TIMES.
A Lament.
Longapo , when I waa youngei , then I
didn't have to hn < tie
'Ban-d to buy my wife a bonnet erery
t'-mt tbe fashion changed ;
Or the Utest thin 8 in etocktnfig , or a new
' self-acting bustle
I m deranged.
Long a o the hand that cl.sped mine had
tne other cl tapir broken ,
Buying various colored dadoes and
French clock * that wouldn't go.
I shall ue'er forget the word that she migct
just as well hive a okea , namely :
"No. "
The Fall of a Boston Girl.
She was a pretty S mth End girl -
All South Endgirlaare fiir
With eyelike duurjuds teeth like pearl ,
lied cheeks and wealth of hair.
A * dnwn tbe avenue she trijped
Her dainty feet , so omalt ,
TTpon the icy juvement slipped
The pretty maid did fall.
Eoms gentlemen were standing by
And all of them displayed
A gra t uxiety tit try
To give tbe ma dan aid.
An'l when she sa dh wasn't hurt
They all were very glad.
Ehe thaukul them as she lirushed her skirt
And walke t off very mad.
Yes , mad. Twas not the _ falling do R-n
Had made h r feel so jriin ,
But that it disarran.ed her gown
And fbovve 1 a nether lim .
And wbe her walk the did propose
fc. I/'Jase leggiusiK the did don ,
They bid the fifty dollar hose ,
She at that time had on.
Boston Post
Laboring Under Difficulties.
Tb room was poorly lighted
He couldn't see , he said ,
And when be trie 1 to kis < her mouth
He almost lost his heid
B cauae 'twas open wi < e , you sea
Her lips were rosy red-
Bat when he went to kiss that mcuth ,
Hii head fell in , instead.
Derrick
Baiore and After.
Bufore mirrhge ,
With wondrcns care ,
Sbe seeks the mirror
And bangs her hair.
After marriage ,
With ang
She grabi her slipper
And bamjs her heir.
MI FIK3T PATIENT.
Six years to-day ? Impossible ! Bat
it Is though , for you are thirty-two to
day , and you were only twenty-six
then , John Preston. I never look
look back to the year following my
twenty-sixth birthday without an in-
Toluntary prayer that I may never
hard such another year's troubls and
despair to go tarough.
Six years to-day I took a temporary
leave of my mother , and made my
real start in life. "First impressions ,
ray dear boy , " ahe had said , "are
everything , " and with my paper cpen
on my knee , left the unending bustle
and noise of the big city bahind , my
mind dwelt in anticipUion on the new
life before mo , and my new sheet
dropped disregarded.
Would my dear father , had ha
lived , have approved of this start of
mine in life ? Should I accomplish , or
be near accomplishing , my desire to
make a rums and standing in my pretension -
tension by its mean * ? What kind of
penpld would I encounter in the
caurae of my profeiaionil duties , and
trould any of the eaid people con
descend to admit the struggling young
doctor into the select circle of their
Intimtte acquaintance ? These and _
thousand and one conjectures kept my
mind fully occupied during the hoar
and half's ride between home and my
destination , _ a picturesque village
nestling at the foot of the moun
tains.
Six monthi before I should have
started with nothing but bright hopaa
on my journey , and without one re
gret to shadow my future. A it was
well , it could hardly be called a re
gret , for this country practice might
enable me to decide for my ultimate
happiness and misery , instead of re
maining In town and taking friends'
practice during their occasional holi
days , as I had been doing for two or
three years. It was while engaged in
the last of these undertakings that I
had found canee for my present regret
at leaving here. My old friend Fred
Hualios , who bad been fortunate
enough to step into his father's prac
tice upon his retirement , called on
me one morning full of his intended
vacation.
"I should bo off this day week if I
oonld only get tome one to look after
my patients just for three weeks. Do
you think you could do it for me , old
boy ? "
"Certiinly , " I replied , "if my
mother does not mind putting off her
Intended visit for a time. "
"Oh , I couldn't let you do that ,
you know ! "
"Nonsance , " I said , "we can go af
terwards , but unlees you go now , I
know you won't ba able to go later. "
'You are a trump ! " exclaimed
Fred , giving my hand a mighty
tqneeza.
My duties as substitute were not
very heavy. One evening a hurried
note was received , requesting Mr.
Hughes' immediate attendance at a
If * distant house , and signed "M.
Bertram. " Fearing something
ser-
Jouj , I stited at
once , and on my ar
rival found the household in a state
of anxious excitement
"Mrs. Mason is away and left the
children under the care of the govern
ess , Miss Bertram , and the two
younger ones are certainly sickening
of some fever , " the housemaid in
formed me , upon opening the door.
Miss. Bartram , when she heard
from my enquiries who I was , came
forward to meet me. Shall I draw a
word-picture ? From my own memory
it is impossible.
It would be compo -
po ed of sweet hues and nameless
graces the features of a parson form ,
after all , such a very small part of her
individuality. But I have a miniature ,
and that I can describe to you.
A sweet , pensive , clear , oval-
shaped face looks at you with kind ,
thoughtful hazel eyes , which often
look blick from the deep shade of
heavy Kshea but that is not in the
miniature the mouth is gentk-ness
and hrmness combined rare combina.
tionl Looking at it you would naturally -
ally infer that the owner thereof wag
a person to be obeyed simply because
it was a pleasure to obey her , and thii
latter fait would in no degree weaken
the former ; delicate but perfectly
marked eyebrows complete the face ,
which , framed in rippling bands of
deep brown hair , smiles at me when
ever I open my case to feed'on its
contents. Must I confess my weak
ness , or have I not already confessed
it ? Looking back , I know that I
loved her there and then , aa I stood
talking in the hushed shadowy hall.
I did not know then why it was that
I felt so much tender pity for her in
her responsible position I did not
know why in addressing her I invol
untarily dropped my voice in emula
tion of her own soft tones , or why , in
meeting her eyes , mind took an earn
est expression , no matter how trivial
the subject under discussion.
Each day found me hastening to
my anxious duties like a school boy to
his play , and , when Mrs. Mason re
turned at the end of ten days and
found her darlings on the road to re-
cov ry , thanks to the unwearied at
tention of their kind nursa , I a-roka
to the discovery that I loved deeply
and passionately. No pa sing fancy
for a beautiful face was thi. , but all-
enduring lore , euch as a true mm sel
dom feels but once in his life.
The days slipper ! by all too quickly ,
until the return of Fred when there
wan no longer the slightest excuse for
my daily visits to my patients. I heard
from him of Mrs. Mason's departure
with her family , and I lived on the
hope of future meetings on their re
turn. I hastened my mother home a
week sooner than ahe wished , greatly
to her mystification , that I might not
miss one chance of seeing my darling ,
for I had determined , short as our ac
quaintance had been , to ask her if she
coald care for me enough to wait for
one year that I might make a home
for her , tj ask if she could consent to
brighten the world for me , and me for
the world to give me an object , an
aim in life to render myself worthy
of her. After a week of patient wait
ing , I ventured to question Fred , as
to lira. Mason's movements , assum
ing a would-be air of nsnchaknce.
"Ob , they are in town again ! " he
said. "But that pretty governess is
not with them" this with a sidelong
glincoat mo. "Mr * . Mason said some
thing about family , affairs and a run
away match but that woman does run
on HO that I can never follow her. "
I felt the treacherous blood leaving1
my face as I asked :
"Was Miss Bertram one of the par
ties concerned in the runaway match ? ' '
"I don'ithmkso | , " saidFred"bnt I
cannot assert anything , beciuje I paid
so little attention to what was aaid. "
My old friend , had you known the
hours of misery those heedless words
would cause me , you would cervainly ,
knowing so little , have said nothing.
Weeki and months dragged their wea
ry length along , and found me still
dwelling hopelessly on the Ituproba
biltty of ever meeting my darling
again. Sometimes in my despair I al
most resolved to write frankly to Mrs.
Mason , asking the true particulars of
Miss Bertram's departure , and stathg
my reasons for so doing. But would
my worldly position justify such
step ? Had I any right , supposing
such a thing porslble , to bind a baau-
tiful and accomplished woman by a
promise which she might notba called
upon to fulfill for years ? No better
that I should endure anything than
claim such a sacrificj at the hands of
the woman I love.
Then a country practice was offered
me on most advantageous terms by
one of my father's old friend * . More
to please my mother than from any
interest I felt in the future , I accepted
it , and was now on my way to com-
merice legitimately my professional
career. My predecessor Dr. Black ,
remained a week with me.
"I must introduce you to my pa
tients aud some of their little peculiari
ties , for a knowledge of the latter is
quite as essential to your success , my
boy , as any diploma in the world. "
The evening on which he left me
is still fresh in my memory. As I
write , the scent of wood-violets , com
ing through my open window , takes
me back to the walk to the station
when I bade the kindly old man fare
welL At last , then , I was "the doc
tor ; " and during my walk home I ex
perienced much the came sensation as
on the occasion of my first visit to
church alone an overwhelming ssnse
of the importance of the occasion ,
mingled with a strong desire that neb
bdy should share with me the knowl
od e of the novelty of my position.
Events crowd on my memory as 1
look back to the first morning after
Dr. Black's leave taking. 1 was sit
ting over my solitary breakfast , won
dering what the day willbring forth to
take me oat of myself , when a res
pectable servant-rnan c mo quickly up
the walk , haste visible in every move
ment. "Now for my first patient , " . '
said to myself , as he was shown in.
' Pleasa , sir , 3lr. Talbot says will
you step up at once ? His niece , Mrs.
Freeman , Is very bad with her heart
a iwoon I think they called it. "
"I will be there as soon as yen , " I
said , looking around for my hat.
"Which is Mr. Talbot'e ? "
"The lar < ; e square stone house
t'other end of the village , sir. "
"Very weil , I will come at once. "
Benjamin Talbot is a member of the
Society of Friends , and , in spite of
his many eccentricities , is aa true
hearted a man as ever breathed.
Though he lives rigidly by the rules
of his sect himself , he always readily
makes allowance for others' laxity ,
and his views upon things in general
are invariably distinguished by the
absence of all narrow-minded sectar
ian prejudices.
He ci.me to meet me In the hall , his
pleatant face clouded with acxiety ,
and at once burst into an explanatory
explanation of matters entirely incomprehensive -
comprehensive to me.
"Poor young thing broken heirted
no wcnder journey too much
never ought to have gone only six
months married. "
At last , despairing of gaining any
satisfactory information , I interrupted
him.
him."Don't
"Don't you think it would be bet
ter for ma to see the lady at once , " I
suggested.
"Yes , doctor , yes. Come this way.
But she is better now. "
We crossed the hall End entered the
sombre and darkened dining-room. At
the far end , reclining in a large easy
chair , was a lady in deep mourning ,
who rojo languidly and turned as we
came np the room. The machinery of
my heart seemed to catch and stop al
together as I drew nearer and recog-
nizea my darling my lest love of
whom I had never caased to dream.
Forgetful for the moment of every
thing but that we were once more
face to face , I exclaimed
"How happy I am to see you
again ! "
Then I suddenly thought that this
must be the Mrs. Freeman for whom
I had been fetched , and the bitter
knowledge that she was another man's
wife rushed across me. I stood mute
with misery , while an expression of
the most unbounded astonishment
crossed her face ; and then I remem
bered her abrupt departure from Mrs.
Mason's. Could there bo any cause
for mystery for silence as to the past ?
I stood waiting.
"Have you then met my niece ba-
fore , Mr. Breston ? " said Mr. falbot ,
sharing the surprised expression on
her4face.
"No , " I stammered. ' 'That is , I
thought " then , seeing she was de
termined not , to acknowledge a pre
vious acquaintrice , I recovered my
self-possession by a desperate etfort.
"I mistook Mrs. Freeman for some
one else , " I said , bowing "She will
excuse my mistake indeed the like
ness itself is sufficient excuse ; it is
marvellous ! "
She never flinched , but with the old
sweet smile , held out her hand , say
ing :
"I wish I conld claim old acquaint
ance ; it is always BO pleasant to meet
unexpectedly ; but , as it is , I hope we
shall soon be good , though not old
friends. "
I bowed words would not coma
just then this perfection of action as
tonished me so that I became absolute
ly silent. I took her hand , glad of
the few moments respite , while I felt
her pulsB.
"She arrived only last night , " said
Mr. Talbot "has been traveling , al
most without stopping , a longdistance
and I expect baa over-exerted herself.
Oh , Mary ? "
"Strain on the nervous system , " I
muttered through my parched lips.
Quietness , rest and tonics will be won
ders. " Then , rising in a helpless way ,
I bade them good morning , and
groped my way out of the house.
' Ob , heaven , " ! criedi > the anguish
of my heart , "why am I thus made the
pUyihing of fate ? "
I felt myself reeling , as the full
misery oi my position rushed across
my mind , and instantly caught at the
railings of the house I was passing to
save mysalf from falling.
"Jonn Preston , " called a cheerful
little cracked voice from the other
stdaof the hedge , "what h the matter ?
Are * you going to faint ? Don't stand
there in that dazed way come in. "
Su saying , the rector's sister , a kind
little spinster , who had constituted
herself my mother's deputy since the
first night of my arrival , took me by
the arm and led me , like the child she
pretended te think me , into her own
little sanctum. She insisted on my
drinking a tonic , and began chafingmy
temples and hands vigorously , hold
ing forth all the time on the dreadful
inconvenience of my being ill.
"Just now of all times , when there
is a charming young widow staying in
the village , too ! Why , at the very
moment you aintcd outside my gate" !
was planning a nice little tea party for
the express purpose of introducing you
to Mrs. Freeman. She is a most
charming creature , I believe ; and to
be a successful doctor , you know , you
ought to be "
"What do you mean , " I exclaimed ,
Ditching b > th her hand * , and fixiug
my eyes eigetly upon her tace. "For
r.eaveu'n sake put an end to my
misery ! Is Mrs Freeman and this
widow you wish me to marry the same
person ? For pity's sake , don't keep
me in suspense ! " And in my excite
ment I almost shook the little woman.
"Why , bless the man I believe he's
mad ! Yes , of course , its the same.
Do we have so many charming widows
at this out-of-the-way place that there
should be two at a time ? "
I jumped np and astonished the
dear old sonl by fairly hugging her ,
and exclaimed in a voice of deep
thankfulness
"Thank heaven oh , thank heav
en ! "
"Dar me , dear me , what can you
be so thankful for ? " she said , looking
more bewildered than ever , as she set
her cap straight after my uncouth car
ess.
Here was a dilemna ! My darling
I might call her so now evidently
wished our previous meotinga to re
main a thing of the past ; an I stam
mered something , indistinctly , about
brain fever , and changed the sonver-
nation by asking how long Mrs. Freeman -
man had baon here.
"Only came last night. I have
not seen her yet , you know. She
married poor Ned Freeman a runa
way match , the only son of Mr. Tal-
bot'a only sister. Ho was a shocking
young scapegoat , and went off to the
diamond fields with his young wife. "
"How long has he been dead ? " I
asked.
"I don't know how long ; but I
think he must have met his death in
some disgraceful manner , for Mr. Talbot
bet never speaks of him voluntarily ,
and if his name is mentioned , he only
sayo , 'PoorTed , poor Ted ! ' Enough
to break herhcart , poor young thing ! "
"Well , Mlsa Goldlng , " I said brisk
ly , "I must not stay here talking
scandal one minute more. " So , thank
ing her warmly for her kindness , I set
off , leaving her still in a state of con
siderable doubt as to my fitness for at
tending to other ailments.
With what intense relief I found
myself once more in the solitude of
my own little home , and sat down to
think over as calmly I conld the events
of the morning. My love was here ,
near to mo and free. I questioned
aught as to her antecedents , { her life
ainca we had first met ; she was free
for me to woo aid win if I could. My
love swallowed all prudent scruples ,
all worldly wisdom , at one gulp , and
there i remained but the one fact that
there she was ; and I res ilved to risk
all to win that one love of my life.
Some short happy weeks "assed by ;
we mat frequently , and I felt that
the pleasure of these meetings was
mutual. The little note signed "M.
Bertram" was my most precious pos
session. "Mary Bertram' ' I had al
ways seemed to know that that "M. "
meant "Mary. " How long ago that
morning appeared ! What a lifetime
of wretchedness I had lived since
then ! Yet , in the midst of my .happi
ness , a keen pang of disappointment
would cloud it for a moment at some
indefinable change in my darling's
character. The old steadfastness was
wanting , the utrength of will I had so
much admired , and in its place ther.
was a reliance on others which I should
have thought impossible in her ; the
very thought seemed disloyal , and
with an impatient sigh I resolutely
stamped it down.
On morning , on calling on Mr.
Talbot 011 pariah business , and finding
he was expected home every minute ,
I was ahotrn into the dining room to
await his return , Mrs. Freeman was
in the garden. How lovely she looked
in the br'ght June sunlight , as , in her
heavy bl ick dress , she stood by a
larne old-fashioned rosa-haah , reash-
iug up to pluck some wite cluster
rosea which hung almost beyond her
reach
"Wait one moment , Mrs. Freeman ;
let me help you , " 1 called out , exult
ant at the propped of a lew short mo
ments' tute a-tote , and sprang through
the window on the open lawn.
'How do you do , Doctor ? I want
some of those white roses for my
vBS. . Ti.nnk you. How pleasant it
must be to be to tall and strong ? "
"Yea , when it enables me to be of
the slightest sarvic3 to you , " I said ,
and then I hated mys If for the cox
combry of tha speech.
"Ah , yes , " she replied , quietly
avoiding the compl'tnent , "to bu of
service to those who want help
must ba the noblest use of strength. "
"You should know that feeling
well , " I siid , my mind full of her un
selfish devotion in those former days
of our acquaintance.
"Why ? I have uever been of service
to any one ; on the contrary , I have
always been an anxiety to every
body. "
Would she , even when alone with
me , maintain that barrier of reserve
about the past ?
"And indeed it seems as if I am to
continue so to the eud of the chapter ;
for when every one thought they had
got rid of him , here I am in less than
a year back again , as dependent as
ever , and this time upon my hus
band's relatives. Oh , deai' , I wish I
was strong-minded enough to face the
world and work for a living for a
time. "
' Why should you feel dependence
a burdeu , " 1 blurted out , "while I
The dignified astonishment
on her face stopped me , and I com
pleted my sentence by adding , "even
I , great strong fellow that I am , have
beeu dependent on my mother until a
few months since. "
"Ah , a mother is so different ! " she
stid , > . toucnlugaadneas creeping into
her voice. "Inever knewmy mother. "
I felt a passionate longing to take
her into my arms and ask her to let
me fill tha void , to tell bar my love
was vaat enough to supply all defic
iency , to satisfy every want of offset ion
ahe hid ever felt ; but the rebuke con
veyed by her manner after my last
outbreak restrained me , aud 1 tcok
refuge to the universal topic , the
weather.
* "Ah , yes ! " she Eaid in reply to my
remark on tha storm of the previous
night. "But you never have a real
storm here ; you should see as I have
seen in Africa , when I WAS at those
terrible diamond fields. "
"Were yon nervous ? Did you not
long for homo And civilization ? "
"Home ! " aha exclaimed , turning
upon me with flashing eyes. ' 'My
home was in my husband's presence ,
and his love was my civilization ; my
only nervousness Was when he was
cruelly taken away from me. "
She hid her face in her hands Her
sorrow maddened me , and I was jeal
ous of tha dead. To my relief , Mr.
Talbot's cheery voice called to me
from the window. I bant down to her
and whispered :
"Forgive me , duar Mrs. Freeman ; I
would rather give ten years of my life
than willingly cause pain. "
"I am awful silly , ehe said , smiling
through her tears ; "you have done
nothing to need my forgiveness. Make
haste in , or uncle will wonder what we
are talking about. "
I silently pressed the little hand
she held out to me , and left her
standing by the rose bush. I fear
Mr. Talbot was somewhat dissatisfied
with my arguments that morning , my
thoughts were so far afield. At last ,
with an impatient sigh , we adjourned
the discussion , and with a weary heart
I took my leave. Alas ! poor mother.
September cama , touching Hie trees
with wondroua warm tints of beauty ,
and found me still alternating be
tween hope and f * > nr. My darling
seemed to avoid meeting ma alone
n w ; yet nom titnes she would smile
so brunt a welc'iinn at my cnming as
literally to intoxicate me with hopa.
One evening a country lad came for
me hurriedly "Some one is ill up at
t'hnuap , aud have frightened t'master
awful. " It was not until wo stopped
at Mr. Talbot's that I discovered for
whom my services were required.
"Mrs. Freeman , the housekeeper ,
said , "received a letter this evening
a foreign letter and after opening it
she fainted away ; no sooner did ahe
recover from one faint than another
succeeded ; so I thought it best to send
for you sir , as her heart has been so
bad lately. "
Why did I seem to feel an icy pang
at my heart- ? What was this fear that
was creeping over me like tne shadow
of death , shutting out all light and *
joy from my life foravet ? Resolutely
I crushed my own feelings , and asked
Mrs. Price if she knew the nature of
the communication Sirs. Freeman had
received.
"No , " she said , "no one does not
even the master himself. We have
been too busy attending to Mrs. Free
man to think of anything ehe. "
Quietly I followed her up stair * to
where my darling lay us white as the
pillow beneath her. Mr. Talbot was
sitting at the head of tha bed , looking
miserably Vorn and anxious. Mra
Freeman's eyes were unnaturally large
and bright , and the painful catching
of her breath at onca convinced me of
her critical condition.
"Oh , Mr. Preaton , " she exclaimed ,
when I entered , "I am so glad you
are come. They won't let 'me apeak
and I must tell some one or I will
go mad. It is all quite clear now ; he
is coming back to me without su.ipi
cion or blame , my own Ted , my dear
hnsband. I know you will be clad to
hear of my happineis you have al
ways been BJ kind. "
"Of courae , " muttered Mr. Talbot ,
springing from his chair "the letter
Ted'a writing , " and ha hurriedfrom ,
the room.
And I , looking at the sweet face
before mn , ttw thai a clote atrutgla
between life and death was at hand ,
and feeling all the hippy hopes of the
last few months fading with ea-jh word ,
I answered quietly
"Your happiness must always ba of
interest to me , my dear Mra. Free
man ; but you must let ma talk to
Mrs. Plica a lit la now , while you try
tofot somt ) rest. "
Having told her naws , she seemed
more contented and quiet , and after
some few directions , I went down
Bta'rn , feeling as though I had lived - *
life in that quarter of an hour of deep ,
bitter sorrow , but datermmed , heaven
willing , to fight and overcome this
love which had now become a sin.
Mr. Talbot wai standing in the din
ing-room , a letter in hia aand , and his
face radiant.
"Read that , Jvhn Praoton , " he
aaid , pushing iiacrosa the Uble ; "you
have been a great comfort to the poor
thing in her trouble 'tis but right
you should ahure the rejoicing "
' 'This letter is addres-ed to Mra
Freemin , " I said "I would much
rather not "
"Noniense , nonsense , " excUimed
the old mau 'read it ; 'tis but a few
words. "
SI iwly and reluctantly , aa though
about to strike ray own death-blow , I
took the aheut from ita flimsy envvlopa
and re/id :
MY OWK DEAB WIPE : Virtue for
once is triumphant , and vice hideth
its bend. James Burton has been
taken and convicted of murder ; and ,
considering that he might as well be
hung for a sheep aa a lamb , he has
confessed his share of the Bulias
Creekrobbery , and completely cleared
me ; so , my darling , I am only waiting
to realize , and then for merry Eng
land and your sweet face. Love to
Uncle Ben. Tell him I shan't want
to run away from him and the mill
any more. I've had enough of roving
ing too last all my life. Just time to
save the mail. How I long to see
you. Your devoted husband ,
EDWARD FEEEMXN.
I placed the letter in its tnvtlopo
again , and laid It on the table. I
never see a foreign envelope even
now without a vivid memory of the
misery I then felt. Mr. Talbot , talk
ing to hitn elf in disjointed sentences ,
was pacing the room in too excited a
state to notice my abstraction.
"So the boy's coming back to live
like a Christian in the hud of his
fathers ! Ah , I knew how it would
end ! P , or girl ! She always said it
would come right. Well , John Pres
ton , isn't it gre.it ian't it grand ]
Now you know why we have never
talked of poor Ned Thank heaven
the diegracd is wiped off the old man !
Mow about my little girl up stairs ,
eh ? Ah , well , she'll have another
doctor aoon Ned will soon put her
right ! You don't look at tha thing.
Have a claaa of wiue ? No ? Then stay
and eat some dinner with me. Well ,
you know beat ; " aud so the hospitable
old man literally talked mo out of
ear-shot.
Oh , fool , dolt that I had been ,
blindly to accept that view of matters
which pleaaed me most , without as
suring myself of the truth of want I
heard ! Ah me , I was punished now
for my credulity I For many nighta I
went to my sleepless bed cursing my
face , hating my kind , and wondering
why heaven dealt so hardly with me ,
until everybody asked , "What has
come to Jthn Preaton lately ? He
looks quite an old man. " The agony
of thosu few days lined my face and
bent my back more than ten years'
work would have done. Strive as I
would and I did strive my
fate was too heavy for me.
The daily visits to Mr. Talbot'a
tried mo almost beyond en
durance. When Mrs. Freeman awoke
from the stupor which had succeeded
the excitement , her only inquiry was
aa ti > the-flrrival of the mail , and I sat
quietly by and liatunad and I felt as a
murderer in my heart. I roust have
broken down if thu had lasted much
longer. Onca more I wearily dragged
myself into the presence of that other
man's wife whom I still loved. On
this occasion she was better , and , with
a hard set smile , I listened to her rap
tures on the prospect of Ned'a speedy
arrival , and my poor breaking heart
kept time to the music of her voice ,
as I held her hand in mine , and re
solved to find some one to take my
practice for a time , that I might go
away and fight against my weakness
myself.
As I listened hazily to her little
pura of delight I hoard , as in a
dream , an echo of her voice in the
hall below , and my poor worn out
brain endeavored to argue that I must
bo asleep and in the land of dreams
to hear her thua in two places at
once. I passed my hand wearily
acroat my forehead and determined to
leave on that day , for surely my rea
son mnit be giving way to play ma
such tricks
"Are you feeling well this morn
ing ? " she said , obaarving my action.
The personal question the neces
sity for reply routed me.
"Yes , quite well , thank you. "
I could ( peak then I was really
awake. Could it be that I wa& going
mad ? Still that echo came nearer
and grew more distinct.
"Who is that I hear ? " I at length
aiked , fearing she might tell ma it was
nobody , but only my fancy.
The handle of the door turned as she
answered merrily
"Oh , dou't you know ? Haven't you
seen my doable ? That is my sister ,
my twin lister , Maud ; let me intro
duce yau. "
Than as I turned , I saw a lady
standing in the doorway as in a frama
a lady the sight of whom set my
blood rushing through my veins like a
mill stream. Did my ayes play me
false ? No , it was impossible ! Then
as I turned to the bed again , in mute
astonishment , the whole truth flashed
across me.
"Is it not a remarkable likenesa ? "
said Mrs Freeman , laughing merrily.
My heart gave a great bound of joy
a * I stumbled across the room to meet
Miaa Bertram , who came forward ,
with tha old sweet , firm smile on her
uce what a dolt I had been ! say
ing"I
"I nm so pleaaed to meet you again ,
Mr Preaton. "
"D > you two penple know each
othei ? " asked Mra. Freeman.
She ipust have understood some-
thicg from our manner , for she ceased
abruptly.
As I stood there holding her hand ,
tracing all the strength of will and
CARPETINC8. 1
. I
C ar pet ings I Carpet ! ngs 1
_
J. B. DETWILER ,
Old Reliable Carpet House ,
1405 DOUGLAS STKEET , BET. 14TH AND 15TH
CEST-A-BLXSIHIEID IJST laes. )
Carpets , Oil-Cloths ,
Matting , Window-Shades ,
Lace Curtains , Etc.
MY STOCK IS THE LARGEST IN THE WEST.
I Make a Specialty of
WINDOW-SHADES AND LACE GURTAIN3.
And have a Pull Line ot
Mats , Rugs , Stair Rods , Carpet-
Lining Stair Pads , Crumb
Clothes , Cornices ,
Cornice Poles , Lambrequins , Cords and Tassels
In fact Everything kept in ,1 First-Olass Carpet House.
Orders from abroad solicif - < I. Satisfaction Guaranteed
, or Address
John B. Detwiler ,
Old Reliable-Carpet ftouse , OMAHA.
DOUBLE AND SINGLE ACTING
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BELTING HOSE , BRASS AND IRON FITTINGS , PIPE , STEAM PACKING
AT WHOLESALE AND RETAIL.
HALLADAY WIKD-MILLS , CHURCH AMD SCHOOL BELLS
A. L STEAM , 206 Farnham Strapt Omabi.
V. BLATZ'S MILWAUKEE 8EEBI
In Kegs and Bottles.
Special Figures to the Trade. Families Supplied at Reasonable
Prices. Office , 239 Douglas Rfcraaf Omaha
self-reliance ) I had missed in her sister ,
wondering each moment more and
mere at my own stupidity , in the ai-
lence of juy too deep for words , there
WHS a sound of wheels. They stopped
at the gate , and Mrs. Freeman started
up , fzcljimiut ;
"What is that ? "
I hastily crossed the room to close
the door , fearing any excitement , but
it was too late.
"Wheie is she where is my bird
ie 1" a loud , jolly voice called out.
A painful cry of "Ned , Ned niy
dear Ned ! ' ' came from the bed , and a
big bioad-ahouldored fellow came
bounding np the saira.
I insole way for him , and then we
two went out and quietly closed the
door ; their joy was too sacred to be
intruded upon.
Then silently I drew Maud to a
deep window seat , and imbued with
the spirit of time , in hurried whispers
I told her my tale of love and sorrow.
She listened tn silence until a pause
occurred , and then , looking up , she
asked , quietly
"Are yon quite sure it is me you
love , and not my sister ? "
"How can you ask such a ques
tion ? " I exclaimed. "I loved you
from the first moment I saw yon , and
then when I saw your sister I loved
just that part of her which seemed to
bo you. "
"And the other , " she asked , with i
merry smile.
"Well , I just wondered , and was
disappointed at the change ; but tell
me , ilaud , do you thinkyou can ever
care for me ? "
She raised her fearless , truthful
eyes to mine , and aaid :
"I have always cared for yon ,
John. "
I am ashamed to gay that Mr. Talbot -
bet , who appeared at that moment ,
looked highly scandalized a tour next
proceeding , until I explain id matters
in as few words as I could. When I
came to my mistake , he exclaimed
"Why , bless my heart , if Ned had
been dead , as yon thought , you misht
have married the wrong woman 1"
which was a view I had taken of the
matter before , and that struck me as
beine unpleasantly prob.ible
"Well , Maud , " I eaid , aa we sat
that evening in the twiligil ao dear to
lovers , "you are not goiugto make Tie
wait for years tor happines i in deciding
how long you want to make yourself
magnificent and let 1t be soon , dar
ling. I shallnever feel rure of you
until you are indeed my wife. "
So it was settled that there was to
be a wedding on that day month ; but
the wedding festivities and the five
years of true , bright happiness that
have succeeded them mnat be imag
ined. To day is , as i have said , iny
birthday , and that absurd wife of ni-je
has insisted on a gathering of old
friends. So my d-sr mother and
Mra Mason , and Fred. Hughes and
his young wife are coming to-day to
eat their dinner with us. And , as I
write , I see coming down the village
street , my wife , holding our oldest boy
by the hand ; and must close my desk
to play the host , for by my side I see
another of my birthday gueatr My
FIRST PATIENT OF CUBISTMAS EVE.
WROUGHT IRON FENCES.
Wire Fencing and Rallln ? i % Speciality.
Their tieautv , perm n nc and economy
dIIy worklne the extinction o ( all fencing
cheap nnterlal.
El'nint In drdzn. Indestructible
Fences for Lawns , Public Grounds and Ceme
tery Plats.
Iron Vanes , Lawn Setteea , canopied and of
rnitic pitterna ; Chalra ami every dracrlptl'm of
Iron nJ Wire ornamental work dodt-ned ami
manufactured bv E T. BAKNDM'.S Wire and
> rrnW rk , 17,29and31 Woodward Aye , De
troit , Mich. 8 n'l'i-"n" -atalosrne anil
price I Lit. sap24
JJCP a week In your own town. Terms and
( PUD fat fit free. Address I ) . Htllett A Co. ,
IcrtUud.He \
Then In no civilized nation In tbe
Heml'pbere in which the utility of Hc tt V1
St. macli ftltitra as a tonic , cirri ctive nd . Jr
billooa med'cine , IB not known andipniMiJ'
Wh-leitl.ame.ndne for .11 . , t 'I'
clhxa'e ; , It lj especially mited to th t , , , . „ , * n
eenerattd by the weaiher. b Inz tha tn. . U
re t vezetable rtlituUnt In tbwortf anj
for sile by Itmggltttand I ealera. to vm
t.lv fcr Hoftrtter'B Almnnic for Ksi "P *
TWO DOLLARS WILL '
THE WEEKLY BEE
One For Tear.
R
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