`` Who with ? '' `` With those cursed friends of her ; a party of them left the city just then ; she was wild to go ; she had money now , and all her good looks back again . They teased and tempted her ; I was n't there to keep her , and she went , leaving a line behind to tell me that she loved the old life more than the new ; that my house was a prison , and she hoped I 'd let her go in peace . That almost killed me ; but I managed to bear it , for I knew most of the fault was mine ; but it was awful bitter to think I had n't saved her , after all . '' `` Oh , Thorn ! what did you do ? '' `` Went straight after her ; found her dancing in Philadelphia , with paint on her cheeks , trinkets on her neck and arms , looking prettier than ever ; but the innocent eyes were gone , and I could n't see my little girl in the bold , handsome woman twirling there before the footlights . She saw me , looked scared at first , then smiled , and danced on with her eyes upon me , as if she said , -- '' ` See ! I 'm happy now ; go away and let me be . ' `` I could n't stand that , and got out somehow . People thought me mad , or drunk ; I did n't care , I only wanted to see her once in quiet and try to get her home . I could n't do it then nor afterwards by fair means , and I would n't try force . I wrote to her , promised to forgive her , begged her to come back , or let me keep her honestly somewhere away from me . But she never answered , never came , and I have never tried again . '' `` She was n't worthy of you , Thorn ; you jest forgit her . '' `` I wish I could ! I wish I could ! '' In his voice quivered an almost passionate regret , and a great sob heaved his chest , as he turned his face away to hide the love and longing , still so tender and so strong . `` Do n't say that , Dick ; such fidelity should make us charitable for its own sake . There is always time for penitence , always certainty of pardon .
Take heart , XXXXX , you may not wait in vain , and she may yet return to you . ''
Dick Philadelphia Thorn fidelity first footlights left money penitence regret