I was away all day , I did n't know how things were going , and she was n't open with me , afraid she said ; I was so grave , and hated theatres so . She got courage finally to tell me that she was n't happy ; that she wanted to dance again , and asked me if she might n't . I 'd rather have had her ask me to put her in a fire , for I did hate theatres , and was bred to ; others think they 're no harm . I do ; and knew it was a bad life for a girl like mine . It pampers vanity , and vanity is the Devil 's help with such ; so I said No , kindly at first , sharp and stern when she kept on teasing . That roused her spirit . ' I will go ! ' she said , one day . ` Not while you are my wife , ' I answered back ; and neither said any more , but she gave me a look I did n't think she could , and I resolved to take her away from temptation before worse came of it . `` I did n't tell her my plan ; but I resigned my place , spent a week or more finding and fixing a little home for her out in the wholesome country , where she 'd be safe from theatres and disreputable friends , and maybe learn to love me better when she saw how much she was to me . It was coming summer , and I made things look as home-like and as pretty as I could . She liked flowers , and I fixed a garden for her ; she was fond of pets , and I got her a bird , a kitten , and a dog to play with her ; she fancied gay colors and tasty little matters , so I filled her rooms with all the handsome things I could afford , and when it was done , I was as pleased as any boy , thinking what happy times we 'd have together and how pleased she 'd be . Boys , when I went to tell her and to take her to her little home , she was gone . '' `` 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 XXXXX , then smiled , and danced on with her eyes upon me , as if she said , -- '' ` See !
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