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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Huron Signal, 1887-11-18, Page 3wj as 18 r 1 8 3 THE HURON SIGNAL. FRIDAY, NOV. 18, 1887. A ¶omaii vho Faiefl ST earls eaasiUR. l'Oa'6t'Dst. nor LA/IT wills. Meanwhile the success which Molly had giruu up sapo.cting did not come to theta in Pittsburg. Irving ;rim this and haggard. 11e worked hard, but it wee with the energy o1 s de.perate man, aid uo longer with the seal of a hopeful nee. He and !felly never quarreled, but rarely talked to each other .t all. She wait bee way arid he his, each silent, g loomy, depressed. Now arta then he tried to break through the ice flues which awuied to have drifted clues around and frozen up bis soul, but M..,ly weer re- sponded to these efforts and they grew less and Ism frrquenL He had mead to ezpe:t help or en ouurageinent in his hme. The very thought of his wife dravgsd uu hum like • ball and chain, and yet he had not ac- knowledged to himself that ho uo longer loved :dolly. He was very Gerry for ber, and bitterly sell accusing when he thought of all that she had suffered. _ Ile did nut drink, as some men would have douu, but once or twice when his mental distress was aggravated by phy sical pain, be took opium. '1 shsa't have that young Dr. Trri:y again,' said nue young mother to another. "Ile same yesterday to see Ethel's sure throat and gave her surae medicine in a glass, and after he'd got away out to the gate, he Dame all the way back to see if it was right. Now, • an that's es ab- sent-minded as that isn't fit to be trusted with children." "No, indeed," said her hearer, "and be asked me yesterday how my little girl was. I should thiuk if any unto ought to know that the baby is a boy, b. nag ht." "I dos'% haw, be treats his wife well, titb.s ilea's the —' -- t -looking tbiog !" -- There were many sack Wks as thus, and though they were but idle breath, they blew Irving Tracy no goo& He came home one night, tired and preoccupied. He had • very sick pat- ient, • young girt, who was the only daughter of the most prominent mer coast in Pittsburg. Mridolly was unusually quiet. but eke to him atter tapper : "Irving, I want to talk to you. Can roe stay a tittle while r "Yes," be said, listlessly, and sat views. ` Sha same beside him. "Irving." elm said, "John Carter was bare today." Well, what did he want r "He came to am • me." She paused awl twitched her fingers nervously. "I am telling you this, Irving, became" it is tight that you should know. He was in love with me, before w• wen married, you know, and he said thi:.gs to me to day—I let bias say them—that no man bas a right to my to another man's wife." Irving looked at icer fixedly. "What an you talking about 1" he said. "Oh, Irving, do not look at ane like that," she said. "l have been a poor, weak woman, and a poor, antro thy wife, but I am not wicked." She looked at him pleadingly, bat he took no notice of ber, and alter a few mooed" as she went on, nervously : "He told me today that if I bad let him shape my life, he would have made it happy, and that all my poverty and hardship had made him suffer whomever be thoegbt of it, because I wag not fitted for it. I let him say it ; I did hot an- swer him, bot enameled when it wee too late, 1 kneir that I had done wrong ; knew that he had no right te speak to me like that, and I thoeght st least I mould be true aooagb to tell you, and let you know jest how bad I esu," Sbe stopped tearfully. Rhe mold some to her husband with each • comiessiom as this, for she was not afraid of bis, and it required but the oaa .feet of ..Y-abaeam.et ; bat she had not beam able to keep out of her Wad the daily video of what life miebt have beep, U she bad married another IMAM. Irving had listened as if he scarcely beard her. H. was surprised lbt be did not mem to ears. it only showed how far apart he and Molly had drifted That be did not mind more. "Well, Molly," he said with a sigh, "I guess be ase right. it's all bees a wretched boosting bosio.m, bet we moat try to make the best of it, for the .hUd- lw's sake." H. started to leave the room. "Ob, irvkeg," she sobbed, "dow't go. T.0 me that yon forgive me mo—teU me that you despise M '" 11. laughed a hard little laugh. "Which do yew prefer 1 I can't do both." Bat Molly did net answer. Shoe bad thrown herself epos the sofa and was Ming bitterly. He looked at bet gloomily, and a UttM eemtempteor mly ; tires, without wyaakirtg, west set in the hall and ped cos his eveteo"t. At the hall door be basitatue, trtlflel teat mos bmek. "fume, Mutly," be said, tomildag bet sboelder, "don't despair. I've had a faint ray of light today. The Medical themee is going to take any attkle ea diphtheria, and pay me for it. I think leek is ruing to tura, and we'll be happy yet." His voice was hard and hopeless, and .b. knew there was au heart in what b said. So he left her. She lay still and owed miserably for a long tow. It was late wbeu he same home, but she bed not gone to bed, He seemed ner- vous ervous and excited. "Mies Simpsou is dead," he said. "What did .he die 1' asked Molly. "She was dead when I got then to night ; they had just cent for me. II w very sudden," and he walked abu2t the room restlessly. The next morning as Molly sat at the sawing-maobine, Irving same home. 1t was an unusual thing for him to do iu the moruing,and she was surprised when she beard his step. He same .trairbt to the room where ahe was, and stood before her. Ho held • newspaper Pa his hand. "Molly," he said, and his voice was husky, "Molly, they my 1 killed Ida Simpson." She looked up at him with heavy, g eyes. If .h. could, .vas thio, at !bat late day, have gone to him end thrown her arms around hist, if she could nave shown him by word or look that her lots would never believe any- tbiug against bim, whatever the rest of the world might my, she might have sav- ed bine. But she could not ; she waited stolidly. There were beads of perspiration on his forehead and his ha:ada shook, se he tried to find the place to the paper. "See, there it is. They say I gave ber too much morphine," and he looked at Molly beseechingly. She took the paper mechanically. Here then had come the last cruel blow of fate. She glanced over the paragraph. it was an inflammatory article denounc- ing Tracy ane accusing him of having heedlessly caused the death of his young patient. It was evideotly written by • physician, and was eery bitter and scath- ing in tone. Molly read it hastily. "Oh, Irving !" she cried—and the paper tell to the floor —"why did you do it t" He staggered as if he had received a blow. "My God !" be gaped, and pat both bands to hie .yes. He took them down and looked at her one.. sod opin- ed his mouth as if he were going to speck. Thee he left tb roues and went heavily down the stairs. He had come to her in this, the most terrible mcmest of his life, forgetting all that lay between them, and only feeling in a blind way that it is to his home and to hes wife that a soma goes at such • time ; and .he had failed him. She bad sided with his accusers ; aha hal believ- ed them; she had not even asked if what they said was false. He walked down to his office as if he was drunk. Hs sat down by the window and gazed stupidly nut for some time. Theo he took s little key from his pocket sod went to his desk. He opened a drawer and took out a small, bright ob- ject as pretty as a toy. It was • revolv- er. He bowed his head on his arms over the desk, and sat then with the sold handle of the revolver gradually growing warm in his palm. He die not think of Molly, or of his children, with her heritage of shato.. His mind was full of shuddering dread and horror at what he was about to do. He was a brave man, but this death was terrible. He turned is the shadow of it, and looked at his life. It lay before hint, darker and mora hopeless than the gore. His grasp on bis revolver tight- ened. H. was nerved and ready. Then tames kncek at the door. The daily habit of welcoming eagerly the few pa - bests who came to him was so strong, that he pot down his revolver, and has- tily replotting it is the drawer, opened the door. A woman stood there, who spoke gsiek y es soon se abeam him. "Oh, Dr. Tracy," she said, "I have Mew same from father's aloe to offer Afton sympathy in this cruel, unjust attack that has been made upon you, and to tell you that if you ars going to take enamel, father woabd be glad to give you his aweless as a friend." Irving looked at her wildly. He could sot enderetaad. He tried to spat, bet bis lips were dry and paras ed. He knew her, bot it seemed as if be bad met ber in another world. Rhe was Miss Spalding, and her father was sonaidered the best lawyer in Pittsburg ; aid why had she earn* to him now with voice of pity 1 What was she taking •boat— boat—sympathy 1 for him 1 He tried to Aad a voles. "1 bell your pardon,"he eald,boarsely. "I did set minder land." Thea in the maw dazed way, he added : " WiU you some is 1' She hesitated a moment aid thea A- toned- Tharp was • little eomfatsies i• ber mariner mew, and the color same in her cheeks. "My Mbar, Mr apsldieg," ahe began, "la very marry soak an Mks* has bees made epos few, and he will set fee yon 11 yea weal to beteg ..IL Be weeded • • a strobe Wttlwd—'that we tempest—eh, it r Moly waded sadly shook tier head. "Toa will, Irving, bat I .MU art," "Why," h. asked. "Oh," she said, "don't you sal 'To him that overcum.th, will 1 give a Nieuwe of life,' and it's true of all things. It is those who overcome who are rewarded. I never overcame •uytbiag; misfortunes slimy' overcame me. If I had bees steadfast end true and had stood sboeld- K to shoulder with you in all our trouble, then I might bo1,e (or something hatter, but my love has sever helped you In morrow ; why should it share with you ie happiness 1" "Molly," tie said kindly, " you are morbid," sad yet he knew that ab spoke the truth. The love that has bees help- less in an hour of need, can wase be nisch comfort to • mai when life is pleasant. "No," she said quietly, you know it is true. 1 don't know whether I weld have helped it or not. Sometimes I think I couldn't. Things seem to crush me and take the life 0111 of me. Then again, I think if I had only tried • little harder, if I had only atruatgled s little looter, 1 might hare succeeded, What is it they say about an actress! 'she was over w.igttted with her gat.' mace it, Iry- itltg� bans bees etia/.wsightsd with Fag pita "Bally," he said, ma imp.t U*.bs with decision, "there is no use in talk- ing like that. We haws both made mis- takes. I hay, never blamed you, but we must let the dead past bury its dead.' "It will bury me with it," she ss,id, under her breath. They were idle words, and Molly uttered them iu no spirit of prophecy, but they came true, for not lung after this talk she become ell. It was only a bad cold, the tkot at first, bet it speedily tsaafept lids soots poor monis. She was not sick litany dame, and was unconscious most of the time, Irving took care of ber, tenderly and anxiously. His early love came back in a great tidal wave. He forgot every- thing else, and only remembered how much be hail loved her, and haw mach she had suffered. Something happened than that at any other time would have filkd his heart with joy and thankfulness, Now he hardly bad room to think about it. He received • WI to come tc Philadelphia and take the chair of surgery in the medical college there. It was a fine position, : with a goad salary, and .was a honor seldom offered to so young a He told Molly of it in one of her few Om ecioua moments. "Darting," he said, "when you pt well we are going to be so happy." She smiled fondly and pressed his band. but the success that she never be- lieved in cams to late for Molly ; sod when he stood by her bedside atter she died, and dosed the eyes that had cried so much, it eased to Irving Tracy as if it had come too late fur him too. Hs saved to Philadelphia and took the position in the medical college there. He became wail known after while, and Fortune, that had frowned so long, grow to be • very smiling goddess. He won- dered at it sometimes ; wondered why it was that when he struggled so desperate- ly, sad would have bought semen with his hearts blood, he could not win it, and now, when he did not try, or even can meek, everything prospered with him. He was devoted to bis children, and they were a great source of comfort and diversion, while they grew up with the deepest love and admiration for their father. Sometimes the thought of marrying again entered his mind, but it seemed to him a sort of disloyalty to Molly. She bad borne the burden and heat of the day, unwillingly. complainingly. rebel- lioamly, perhaps, but still she had bores it. It did got seem fair that another should ahem the reward. He looked around his comfortable home and long - for her to enjoy it with him. He thought they would have been so happy if she bad lived. As fur the little woman who bad some to hint that terrible morning, sad by ber words of sympathy and good cheer saved kis life, he sometimes thought of her wondering! Bat everything that had happened ppeed t� looked strange and dis- torted in retnrpeet. He was not even son that he remembered the facia aright. It was long before he saw her again, and when he finally .set her it was with the start of surprise that we sleet one whom we have tbowght deed. He had met thought her deed, bet as unreal, belonging only to that ass time when .he had eom into hie life. She had never had say living p.rwnsality for him. After • while ha said "1 have nova thanked Joe for the help vou gave me nes. 1 don't believe yew know how mash yoe did for me." She smiled brightly. "Dd I 1 I am very glad," she said. He looked at her sod thought what his life might been it he had had all thrones it the .aria tree love of • brave wemaw. 8. did not need it so mouth now. And yet be was yowng-- M was towefy--p.rbp if she --sad thea his tboeghts went beet t. Melly, and the dismal wading of W life's teens dream. no, be .sold set neem again. Tim woman who had failed streashed bet hand trent the grave and robbed him of tads passibility of 'appellees also. He haver merited .gale. is too bed. I am w merry, so sorry." The team stood in her eyes, and she hooked at hies appealingly. It tse.eed to ser as d he were mads el sinew He watched her without movsug. "Are you eryiag for me Y' be asked, eerioesly. She looked op indisnaotly, but in his hemmed fees ant dull, sad eyes, she read the coon's suer desperation. She saw the gleam of • revolver in tt.e draw- er, which was not .otirely shut, Rho took in each detail of the poorly furnish- ed othcr, and the tragedy of his Itf. Ly bare before her. "Yes," she said gently, "I was crying for you." Then she smiled a little through her tears. "It is silly ail ane isn't it, but 1 finA as it I know yon very wall —better than you know ms. I know bow hard sod faithfully you have work - .d, how good you bate been to the poor and helpless. 1t is almost .noegh to make a man low faith, isn't it, when after working as hard as you have done, he gets such a reward as this r She stopped • moment, and then said simply : "I hats • brother in New York who is a doctor. I love bon very dearly, and 1 know how it wesid Burt him if this bad bpp.mad--ls`iiirs. I should t.11 bits lust as I tell you, mut to be discouraged." It may seem very dark and gloomy, bat it will surely Dery oat right. God nev- er forsakes as, you know. Just trust Him • little longer, and bold His head tight, and everything will be well." He watched her intently, but his face was as expressionless as if he had not comprehended a word. Ile had, though, and be had • wild desire to fling himself on his knees before her, bury his face in her lap and cry. Hen was the first voice of sympathy that be had board in years. She had spoken mere platitudes, but even a hopeful word was sweet to him. She might be feeding him on husks, but he liked the taste. She look- ed at him a moment, end said lightly : "Why, 1 believe thee has male you very down hearted :" H. nodded his hood—he .mild not speak. "That is a pity," abe mid in the same cheerful tone, as if -she were tossing • child to forget its bumpod head. "Why I'm not sere but it will be a good thing far yea after all. Father wants you to bring snit fur libel ; he is sure that he cis recover for you, and think how meek free sdvertaing you will get '" she .add with a smile. Theo she rose and held out her hand. "Don't go," he said, "I want you." He still hooked dazed, but it was tbe bewilderment of one who is walking and who should reougnies Ike things about his. "I must go," site gently, "bet yon must came and see father ; be is a good friend of yours, and you have many others—more. I think, than you hoes— who will all best for you if yea will mot tight fur yourself." Then she left bin and ►suited the door after her. When he same down from his office an boar afterward, be looked tired and old. He had picked up the burden of life and bound it on his shoulders. It might crush him, bet God helping bim be would try to throw it off again. Later in the day be saw Mr. Spald- ing and soon after his suit began fur libel, not in a spirit of rags or anger, bet with s sort of patient dirnity. His gond name bad been blackened, be had determined to have it elan again. Molly and he lived outwardly just as before. He never spoke to her unkind- ly, he .vee tried to cheer and encourage bet. They msec talked about his suit, nor the many cruel things that were said of him ; belt he knew that Molly did not believe that be would ever clear bis neon. or win his ease. He felt that she looked upon it as a waste of time. In doe Bourse of time k was rnn- elusively peovd that Miss Simpson had died of heart disease and Dot of the small amount of amorphism which the doctor had given her ; and the news- paper that had been so violent in its at- tack epos him wee forced to pay him ib,000. Nothing seamed* like ssmams. He thought a little bitterly, that if one- teeth arteeth of the men wbo mem up and shook his hand warmly. and oongratalat- d him when the verdict was declared, had offered him even the soantiest sym- pathy when so many touto"s wagged against bim, he would have ham more gratetiiL Before the proof they had, all eyed him Boldly and with suspicion. Molly was glad in a subdued eat of way. She treated this little gleam of seems like a babble whieh might hate at any moment. She had distrusted happiness sad her husband for eo long, that .he seemed to have lost tb. pewit of belief in either. Iriving was asked to writ• again for the Media/ (3eutb, and his articles re mewed a good deal of attention. He had a number of enearagieg letters from prominent physicians. Thew ha rend to Melly. "Yom," he said, 'leek is t rash t. We are gateg to Root of from our maned -bask we to tell ton Ibst he, that we" - her yet." Every Man in Business Ishould get his Office Stationery Printed. DO NOT. TEAR al11Ya71 OUTgiOr YOLR1fACCOt:NT_ BOOCfrgTOlWRrTR OM HUT ORT YOUR Bill Heads Statements Note Meads Lirttirt Heads Memo. Heads Counter Pads Parcel Labels Shipping as 3 Business Cards Ciroulars Envsloplllis, oto PROPERLY PRINTED ON GOOD PAPER, and then it will be a pleasure for you to do your corresponding. well as helping to advertise your business. e READ THIS. Ems' Our St.,'k of Printing Stationery, consisting of all 7 the leading grades of Plain and Linen, ruled and un- Ur ruled papers, Cards, Envelopes, ire., is the most corn - 17 1E1 plete we have handled, and we guarantee therquality Ur and price to suit all who will favor us. 17 with their 161 orders. Call and see our sample, anis get our prices HE SIGNAL" NORTH -St., GODERICH.