Willie was not a boy to win the heart of a
stranger. Retiring, silent and sad, but possessing a brave, grateful
heart, he had to be known to be loved. The new mother did not care to
take the trouble to win the love of her husband's child.
Years rolled on. Bright, cheerful, happy boys and beautiful, loving
girls grew round the father's heart, claiming and winning his love,
until poor Willie was almost forgotten, or only remembered when in
sight, and then always compared so unfavorably with the merry ones
around him.
On one occasion some temporary ailment caused the father's hand to
become very much swollen, until the little wedding ring became very
tight and pained his finger much. His wife suggested its being filed
off. While debating on the necessity of so doing, there came memories
of the past. The long-forgotten pledge, the reminder of which was
making him feel it so keenly then. How had he fulfilled that promise?
He would not have the ring removed. The swelling gradually passed
away. And William Archer determined to make amends for his past
neglect by future care and attention to his motherless boy.
But these good intentions were put to a speedy flight by an
unfortunate accident which occurred that afternoon.
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