In years to come another will occupy
my place, but, oh! William, do not let those new ties come between you
and your first-born. Give me your hand, and with it the pledge to make
his welfare your first thought.
"Thank you, dear! you have lifted a great weight from my heart. The
only doubt is cleared away. Here put our wedding ring on your finger!
How tight it fits. It will be a constant reminder of your pledge. Now
bring Willie to me."
She gradually faded away during the afternoon, murmuring constantly
words of love and hope, the last intelligible being, "Love each other
for my sake."
As the Thanksgiving sun went down the spirit of the gentle,
long-suffering Mary Archer joined the waiting ones above.
William Archer truly loved his young wife, and sincerely mourned her
loss. Much of his time was spent with his son in trying to comfort and
divert the attention of the sorrowing boy from his great loss.
Willie grew to love very dearly his father, hitherto almost a stranger
to him.
Mary's words were soon verified. Riches grew rapidly around him, and
in less than two years he had filled her vacant place by another.
With what an acute ear, jealous eye and aching heart he listened for
every word of endearment, watched every action of love that his father
bestowed on his new wife.
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