BBBBBr • cJ \ < mrrSTtf ! ! ! ! ! ! ! Z7m'im'milliaK m
BBB linir > ifin-ininij [ , | ) | > ij | iR | | , miMiji , „ | nm HiiiinHMHiiiiUi
"fl A LOVE SONG.
B ' 3 held life's I ook within ray hand
h And Idljturned each pago
B Bj Through goldon prime uid dewy youth
1 And frosted , idlv'ry upe ,
B Bf And on ouc-halMnrgotleii leaf
B 'Crim trost-cd with imi-lc bara ,
H f I traced n quaint love melody
H As old us hills or shirs ;
M A mmut of hope which hearts liavcsunp :
H Through nil the rolling years ,
H And Bung It sweet in ludgoinuucEs
B Or mug it low In tears.
m And nsIn quiv'rJnjr undcrtono
M I crooned , in childish way ,
M Tlic measure o'er' , there came ajjam
B The rocm'ry of love's dav.
J Oh. fair it was. and tweet it was
B ( My dear of lout : ago 1
"With rosy dawn and Bunnv noon ,
J And sunset haimlnglow
MB lletweeu the azure-tinted clouds
HI And cnrthlnnd's holder eray ,
"With hint of that dim twilight hour
B The boundr'y Hue of day I
fl And bo it is , that even now ,
When dull , gray shadows fall ,
HK And throw across the dying day
K The slight's star-spangled pal.
* H The curtains of the years rolls back
B * And through the mistiness ,
H ] I Pec my darlings fair young face
Hj In all its wiusomcuets.
B J hear the beating of time's waves
H Upon eternity ,
Hf And through tile moan her tender tone
H Comes faintly back to me ;
H ; 'Comes calling , colling in a dream
Hj Of touts f > he used to sinsr ,
Bwrn Old songs of love that in my heart
BwM With minor sweetness riii ir.
SM Olla Ptrkint Toph , Tin Oarrait.
I ROSE.
fl The business of the day 'was finished , and
B tonald Chilton closed and locked the door of
m Is olHee and walked leisurely down the street
H Dward Ms lodgings. A fine , manlr fellow he
BflJ tas , too. Although he was not what might
B c termed a handsome young man , there was
H Oat elegance and polish about him which in-
BflJ elibly stamped him as retined.
B Three years before lie had graduated and
BflJ ias admitted to the bar , and bejrau the prac-
H ice of tho law in the thriving city of C .
M It first he found it cheerless work and not
B icry remunerative. Clients did not come to
Bfll Sm very often , but seemed inclined to trust
HBJ heir business to older aud more experienced
HBJ leads. But after ayear of patient , earnest
BvJ truggling , people began to place more coa . fi-
BflJ ience in him , aud his practice bcirau to grow
M ery rapidly , until now lie was considered one
BSJ the rising young lawyers of the place.
H lie was proud of success ; aud weU he might
BvJ r , for what he was he had made himself , even
M o the acquirement of the means of defraying
M i3 expanses at school.
HBJ lie had the misfortune to lose both of his
BvJ mrcnts when he was bix yeans old , leaving
BwJ kim and his little sister , who was scarcely
BwJ hree week * old. at the mercy of the world.
BwJ tiis lather , Ralph Mentor , hud never been a
Bwj nccessful man financially , and consequently
BsJ rL his untimely death left his little children in
BwJ Icstitute circumstances , without friend or
Bvj iclative to whom they could look for help or
BsJ fupport
Bwj • Suitable homes were soon found - for the
BJ ihiidren. Ilonald was adopted by a Mr. Clu 'l-
BB on , who was a merchant in a little town about
BB t hundred miles from Ronald's native village.
B 2is little sister Ro. = ette was adopted by a f ami-
| B y who took her far away from his adopted
BB tome. He did not know the name of her
BB idopted parents or the locality to which she
HB tad gone , and bad never since been able to
BvJ earn of her whereab jut- .
HB Ronald did not like his w- home. lie
BB buud Mr. Chilton hai h aud cruel , aud be-
BB rides lie did not relish mercantile pursuits.
BB Finally when he was twe ve years old , he ran
BB twav from so distasteful a home and resolved
BBS < o fight his own way in the world. Of his suc-
BB jc&s in this undcrtaiiug tlic reader is already
BB ii formed.
BB It was no wonder then that he closed his of-
BB tec with a feehuir of telf-i-utisfactioii aud
BB started away in a happy , contented mood.
BB He was walkiuir tlowlv aud una nsciously
BB ilong , meditating on the business of the day
BJ ind the duties of the inorro-v , when he was
BJ arrested by a half-stifled scream , and looking
BB p he lieheld a yonng lady standing on the
B Q-ossing while a nuiawateam was coming
Bl -apidly down the street within a few rods of
Bb
Bfl "With one swift bound he was by her side ,
BJ j.nd the ne t insUnt he snatched her away
BJ pastas the hying horses came plunging by.
BB She was so alarmed that she lay halt faint-
Bl -Ag in his arms. Before she rallied he had
Bb time to note that she was maryelously beau-
Bl Uful. Her shapely head was crowned with a
BJ 'Vreath of glossy hair , while her comely figure
BJ ras shown to ad vantage in alain. ] butueativ-
BJ fitting dress. Her deep brown eyes opened
BJ vith a frighted look , while lier face was ashy
Bl tale. But as she revived the aUrigh ted look
Bb fave plaee to one of thankfulness ; aud the
Bj -jolor comins back to her face , her cheeks as-
Bl named a ruddy glow that mulc her look ten-
BJ fold more pretty.
Bj "Ah , a thousand thanks ! You nave saved
BJ ny life , " she exclaimed. "How can I show
BJ jay gratitude J"
BJ "Pray , don't mention it , " he said. "I have
BJ lone no more than any gentleman would have
BJ lone under thecircumstaucc * . "
BJ "Mav I inquire the name of my gallant rcs-
BJ "aaerl" she asked.
BJ ' * ltonald Chilton , at yonr service , " he repli-
BJ sd. "May I ask whom I have had the honor
BJ * f rescuing.
BJ "Rose Manford , " she replied , "of Manford
BJ Brauge. You must call and see me ; mamma
BJ „ -ill be so glad to express her gratitude. "
BJ " 1 shall be delighted to have the privilege.
BJ But , as you are now alone , and , as already
BJ 3emonstrated. in very great danger , I shall be
BJ appjj with your permission , to escort you
home. "
BJ -lately
BJ "Thanks , if you will be so kind , for I feel
BJ to nervous and frightened , " ehe said ; and
BJ .while they are walking aloug the street con-
B versing merrily let us hasteu ou and visit the
B 3sanse before their arrival.
B Manford Granie was a quiet , secluded place
B to the suburbs of the city. The house was an
B sld fashion stone structure that had weathcr-
B kI the storms of lialf a century. A beautiful
B rrove of maple surrounded the place , with
B • here and there a gnarled oak or a moss-cover-
ed beech , all in their native wildness , while a
H tparkling brook went rippling and dancing
tmong the trees and poured its crystal waters
into a lilliputian lake behind the house , over
whose grassy banks a cluster of drooping wil
lows waved their long , yellow branches. In
Trout of the house was a level stretch of gras-
sv lawn several feet below the surface of the
little lake. In the center of this lawn was a
rustic fountain fed by means of a pipe con
necting it with the lake.
As v , * c enter the gate and saunter up the
winding gravel walk , strewn with little peb-
feles , and the broken shells of mollusks , we
unconsciously loiter by the way to inhale the
B-ild beauty of the place. We pause by the
fountain to watch the sparkling water as it
ripples and dances in the sunlight , now leap
ing high Into the air , pausing a moment in
its mad flight , then gently separating and
falling in a iuistv veil into the basin below , in
-whose cnstal 'depths we catch occasional
; " glimpses of the shiuing sides of the little fish
is they turn their silvery 6cales to the sun
light for an instant , then dart away into the
shadowy protection of their little bower.
h Myriad sweet-scented odors from countless
' ' . and varied exotics mingled with the pure
r afcnosnbere , while their bright , rich colors re-
L < jj .e foe monotony of the verdant lawn.
> Even the feathery inhabitants of the air are
ST enchanted to this elysium and vent their
i' - iovous appreciation in a shrill but harmonl-
E' ous treble melody as they flit merrily from
f ; Ua mtleC wren alights upon the edge of the
Eft fountain basin , almost within our reach , and
& ' she elevates her head , opens her bill ,
water
I SdStows the K.Hue liquid to flow down her
ft- marched throat. Now she plunges her UeAd
h. Stothe hasin several times in rapid succession ,
! > wblds causes the w tcr to flow over her bsck in
i < * -
iwiniiwi mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm
6he came , and her tiuyclllrp , chirp is drowned
in the loud chorous of her more musical
rivals.
A chipmunk thrusts his head from the hollow
root of u stunted beech and peers cautiously
around. Perceiving strange faces he gazes at
us a moment , as if reproving us for intruding
upon his domains , then disappears within his
hole , chattering aud scolding vociferously as
he goctf.
A lovelier scene than la here represented
could hardly be conceived. .
The front gate creaks on its hinces , and
looking around we see Ronald and Rose com
ing up the wall ; . We settle back on the
rustic scat behind a friendly snow-ball buh
and watch them , and our vision is greeted by
a very pretty picture , too. He Is talking to
her in a deep , melodious voice , while she
seems content to listen , glanclni : now and
then into his frank , manly face where stie
meets a pair of laughing blue eyes that cause
a pair of bewitching , Jong , black lasbeu to
meet the blushes on her rosy cheeks. His
square , massive chin is enhanced by a firm ,
clear cut mouth , the severity of which Is
softened by a long , droojdng , silky mustache.
His brlirht curly hair , p.irtly hidden by a
broad felt lint , is a strong contrast to Rose's
raven tresses. Just now she looks the very
persoiiillcation of beauty and sweetness , with
a niodcst blush suffusing her pretty face as
she listens to Ronald's rapturous praises of
her picturesque home.
' How happy you must be here in this
beautiful place ! " he exclaimed.It is won
derful to heboid. It Is a veritable paradise. "
" 1 think It is lovely , " she says. "I spend
some of the happiest moments of my life here.
In sweet idleness , or tending my flowers aud
fecdiug my pets , the little birds. "
Tho door closed upon them and we get up
with a sigh of regret anU reluctantly turn our
steps toward the dusty street and the busy
cltv.
It Is hardly necessary to describe the inte
rior of the unique home , for the reader's Im
agination can hardly err as to its surround
ing ? . Magnificent ? No ; for modest means
could hardly afford that Beautiful ? The
word is not comprehensive enough , for mere
gaudy furniture and showv surrounding *
would weary the eye In the absence of the
handy little knick-knacks placed here aud
there in convenient places by loving hands.
Homelike ? Yes ; for no other word can ex
press so well the appearance of an abode
where love and' happiness reign Bupreme.
Suflicc to say that this little home was the
prettiest of the pretty , the coziest of the cozy ,
the happiest of the happy.
"Mamma , " said Rosd. after she had ushered
Rouald into the pretty little parlor , "permit me
to present to you a friend , Mr. Chilton , who
has placed me under everlasting obligatiou to
him , " and she related the circumstance of her
peril and rescue.
"Mr. Chilton will allow me to express our
heartfelt gratitude for his noble deed , " said
Mrs. Manford , with much emotion. .
"We should not court gratitude for merely
doing our duty , Mrs. Manford , " replied Ron
ald. "I should have been deservine : of the se
verest censure had I refused a helping hand
to a fellow-being in imminent danger. "
"True , true ; but the gratitude naturally fol
lows , nevcrtheless , ' ' * s > he answered.
After spending a delightful hour with his
new acquaintances Rouald arose to leave , but
not before receiving permission to renew the
acquaintance so pleasantly formed aud to re
peat the call in the near future.
That next call was only the forerunner of
manv others , until Ronald became a regular
v. ' sitor at the rural home ; aud Rose and her
mother came to look forward with pleasure to
these happy moments , when Ronald's pleasant
face and cheerful voice would make the old
home ring with laughter and merriment.
As I prcriime mv readers have already sur
mised that Ronald ami Rose's friendship would
ripen iuto a stronger passion , I will not be so
cruel as to disappoint them , for such was the
case.
It was on. the identical rustic scat by the
fountain , and behind the siiow-ball bush ,
where we sat on that dav when they came up
therravel walk for the first tune.
"Rose , my darlhiir , " he was saying , "I must
tell you how passionately I love you. I think I
have loved vou ever since that memorable day
when I suatched you from before that living
team. Do yon think you can love me well
enough to be my wife , my darling ? "
"Yes , Ronald , " she murmured , as she
nestled her lovely head against his shoulder ,
and Ronald stooped aud but it is the same
old story , but the uuion of two noble souls lias
lost nothing of its sacredness , and I choose to
drop the curUin on the holiest passion of
earth.
We pass over many happy months now
which were uneventful , except that to the
lovers they were oue long , coutiuuous paradise
of happiness and bliss , and whieii were
fraught with scenes too sacred for the prying
eyes of curiosity.
"It is a year now since Ronald and Rose first
met , and"it is their wedding day. The day is
a repetition of that lovely day ; and , if possi
ble More glorious aud fair.
The brook is rippling and dancing in its
merriest mood , the fountain is playiug more
gavly than ever , the flowers are sirrayed in
their brightest colors , aud exhaling their
sweetest perfumes , aud the birds are warbling
their lou lest chorus.
It is a quiet little wedding with only a se
lect few of their most intimate friends in at
tendance , and after it U over the world
moves on in its steady march to eternity as if
nothing unusual had transpired.
But not so with the little family in that old
stone mansion. They realized that there has
been a great aud grand change in the world
for them. Their cup of happiness was tilled
to the brim , and they were sipping its sweet
nectar as only a newlv-wedded husband and
wife in the perfect bliss of love can. It Is
true Ronald's rapidly growing business neces
sitated his absence In the city all day , but
then came the evenings which were all the
happier after his absence.
Again we pass over several months for the
same reasons as before. It is now 'Christmas
day , and around our rural home we 6ee a won
derful change. Tne beautiful summer scene
has giveu place to a uot leas beautiful winter
one.
one.Boreas , swooping down from his Arctic
eyrie , has kissed the delicate flowers to sleep
aud spread a fleecy white counterpane over
their grassy bed ; and. rolling on in his re
lentless foray , has driven the merry warblers
to a suunierclime. The trees mourning the
absence of their musical friends , have drop
ped their leaves , one by one , like tear drop3
on the sward , and now staud with suppliant
arm ? , bleak and bare , soughimr and sighing
in the wintry wind. The Utile brook has
hushed its rippling laughter and doned a coat
of icy mail , while the lake lies sombre and
silent beneath the protecting shield of the
same glistening armor. Even the fountain
has ceased to dance and play and , remains a
sileut monument of the death and gloom sur
rounding it.
Yet nature in her funereal raiment is not
unattractive , but , on the contrary , like an
innocent child arrayed for its last sleep , she
looks even more grandly beautiful than in
life , and even suggestive of the resurrection
so mvir at hand wlien she will again arise and
don her beautiful robes of verdure and bloom.
The suu looks dowu from his azure height
with a smiling face , and meets a welcoming
cheer from each icicle peudeut from the eaves
aud every crystal on the snow-covered earth.
Inside theliouseall is cozy and comfortable.
A cheerful fire is burning in the grate , whict
throws out its genial warmth to all parts of
the room. Mrs ! Manford has gone to hei
room to indulge iu her customary afternoon
nap. and Ronald and Rose are left alone.
He has been reading , but now he lays his
book aside , and sits with his anus resting on
the table , looking thoughtfully at Rose , whe
is busily e ' ugnged on a gaudy thing she calls a
" . "
"crazy quilt.
After watchlnc her a few moments in si
lence , he plavfully jerks her work out of hei
hands and la ' ys it on the table ; and while sh
looks up in his face with a pleasant 6mile , ht
say 6 :
i'Come , come , this is a holiday. I am youi
g " 5:3t to-dar , vou kuow , and this is not tbt
prop ; * way to entertain company , I shall insist
upon jour devoting the rest of the aftemooi
to me "
"I must numbly beg your pardon , I am sure
Mr. Chilton , " she replied , with mock courtesy ,
and with a merry peal of laugnter , added
"What can I do to amuse you ! "
"I know not what , unless it be to sit then
and look at me with those bewitching eyes. "
"Oh , you flatterer ! " she said , with an arcl
pucker of her cherry lips which Ronald im
mediately spoiled the effect of by planting oi
them a tender kiss.
* * > * ' _ i • " * • . * r1
mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm
•
"It la nice. Ronald , to have you home all
day. I wlsii every dav were a holiday , " and
Rose fondly ran her little white hugera through
hie curly hair.
"I fear you would change your mind after
the novelty had worn oil , mv love. "
"For shame ! You naughty boy ! " she ex
claimed , playfully , pattlne his check with her
hand. "You kuow I would never tire of you ,
Ronald. "
"Where did you get that quaint little
locket ? " said Ronald , as ho picked up the lit
tle bauble dangling at her necklace. "May I
look inside ? "
"Why , of course you can. What a question !
It was mv mother's. "
Ronald " opened the lecket and displayed the
likeness of a handsome young man on one side
and a beautiful girlish face on the other.
For a moment he sat gazing at them while
a look of credulity overspreaoThls face.
• "Where did you get these pictures , Rose ? "
hensked , still looking at them.
"Those are likenesses of my parents. "
"Ttour pareuts ! " he exclaimed , with a start.
"Oh , I believe I have never told you that
Mrs. Manford is only my adopted mother. I
lost both father and mother when I was a
mere babe. "
"And your father's name was "
"Ralph Mentor. "
Ronald almost sprang front his chair in his
consternation.
"What i ! > the matter , Ronald ? " asked Rose ,
in surprise.
"But your name , Rose ? " he asked , in an
anxious voice , disregarding her question.
"It was Rosette , but 1 never fancied the
name and so changed it to Rose. Why are
you so agitated , Ronald ? "
"Had you a brother. Rose ? " he continued'
In a strange but steady totie.
"Yes ; one. But why do you ask ? Now ,
that 1 think of it , his name was the same as
yours ; how add. I have never heard of him
but once since we were separated , and theu
the report came that he had run away from
his adopted home and been drowned at sea.
Ronald ! Rouald I" she exclaimed , with a cry
of fear , as she sprang to his side , for he was
gazing at her with a wild , vacant stare , while
great drops of perspiration stood out on his
white , haggard face , and groan after groan of
great anguish welled through his livid lips.
"Ronald ! Why dou't you speak to me ? " she
asked , in an agonized voice , as she twined her
arms about his neck. "Rouald ! Ronald !
What is the matter ? " she wailed. •
"Heaven help us , Rose ! " he groaned. "I
am your brother Ronald. "
"What ? " she cried , releasing her arms from
about his neck , and , staggering back a few
stcDS , she stood gazing at him with an in
credulous look ; but , as the truth slowly dawn
ed upon her mind , her face became even more
haggard than his , and , throwing her arms
wildly into the air , she uttered a piercing
shriek and would have fallen to the floor , but
that Ronald caught her iu his arms aud laid
her gently on a couch , where she lay iu a
deathlike swoon.
Her loud cry had awakened Mrs. Manford ,
and now that lady came hurrving into the
room with a look of anxiety and wonderment ,
and demanding to know what was the mat
ter.
ter.Ronald
Ronald in a few brief words told her of the
discovery the } * had made , while he and the
horror-stricken the blood
- lady were chafing
less hands and face of the unconscious Rose
and trying to restore her to consciousness
After several minutes of ceaseless effort on
their part Rose began to show signs of life.
First her lips began to twitch , her breath
came iu short gasps , and then she opened
her eyes and looked about her with a startled
look.
look.Ronald
Ronald bent over her , but she waved him
away , while a look of repulsion everspread her
face.
face."Go
"Go away , Ronald. The sight of your
face will kill me , " and unconsciousness again
kindly relieved her mental anguish.
When again she began to show signs oi
leturuiug consciousness Rouald quietly left
the room.
Rose gazed about with a frightened look ,
and with a sigh of relief at not finding
what she dreaded , she let her eyes rest
with a piteous expression on the face of Mrs.
Manford.
"Oh , mamma ! " she moaned. "Mv heart
Will break 1"
The good lady tried to soothe and comfort
her , but she refused to be comforted. She
raved and tore her beautiful tresses ; she
clenched her delicate hands until the nails
were buried iu their tender flesh ; she hither
white lips until they were crimsoned witli
blood : she even prayed that death might re
lieve her of her sufferings.
Mrs. Manford tried in vain to quiet her ;
aud , as a last resort , gave her a powerful
narcotic , under the influence of which she
was soon sJpeping soundly.
After placiug her in a comfortable position
Mrs. Mauford arose and lert the room.
At the door she met the pale , haggard face
of Ronald.
"Has 6he recovered ? ' he asked.
"She is sleeping , " she answered. "Now ,
Ronald , " she added , sorrowfully , "you must
go awar. The consequences might be fatal
were she to sec you when she awakens. "
"Oh , Mrs. Manford ! " he groaned. "This
is horrible 1 Might there not be some mis
take ? "
"I fear not , " she replied , with a sorrowful
Fhake of her head ; • • unless you are mistaken
in your own identity. Rose has told you the
true story of her lift ; . "
"No , no , it is only too true ! " he said with
a deep groan. "Icanuotbe mistaken , for I
was old enough to remember my parents , and
even my little baby sister. Oh God ! I wish
to heaven 1 had died before this occurred ! "
"There , there , Ronald. Don't grieve so , "
said Mrs. Manford. "In the sight of God and
the world you are both blameless. "
"It is none the less horrible for that , " he re
plied.
"But still it is some comfort to know that
you are both innocent"
"Oh , mv poor darling Rose ! " he moaned ,
sadly. "It will kill her. You will be good and
kind to her , will you not ? "
"You may rest assured of that , " she
replied. "I love her too well to do other
wise. "
"God bless you. Mrs. Manford ! " he exclaim
ed , ferveutiy. "May God deal with you as
you deal with her , " and clasping her hand
warmly he passed out of the front door ; aud
as he went down the walk with a slow , falter
ing step , he looked as if twenty years had
passed over his iad aud bowed down with age
bis once maiih i ( stalwart fonn.
For many aux.ous weeks Rose lay in a rag
ing fever while the fierce battle betwen life and
death was going on over her. At limes 6he
was wholly unconscious of the terrible strug
gle , when she would again live over the happy
days with Ronald before the dire calamity be
fell her. Again returning consciousness
would bring back only too vividly the remem
brance of her great sorrow , and she would
rave aud moan piteously until she again pass
ed away iuto blissful ignorance. Now it teem
ed that death would mercifully relieve her of
her sufferings , but life would renew the strug
gle and bring her bacK to all her miseries.
Every day Ronald would call at the door and
inquire after Rose's condition , aud each time
his face was more haggard and drawn. Mrs.
ManfonJ would stand and watch hi ? bent and
wasted form as he walked slowly and painfully
away , and then shake her head mournfully as
she closed the door.
At last the crisis was passed , and Rose be
gan slowly to recover. When she was able to
sit at the window and gaze out iuto the yard
Ron aid ceased his calls.
But she was no longer the light-heaited ,
happy Rose. During the months that follow
ed she would sit by the window for hours t a
time gazing abstractedly into the yard , or gc
stealing about the house a mere ghost of her
f ormner self.
Mrs. Mauford would sometimes try to draw
ber out of these melancholy moods , but on
these occasions she wa wont to give way tc
violent fits of weeping , and the good lady was
forced to give up in despair.
When her babe was born she again lived
, over that sharp , terrible anguish and misery.
"Again she wavered for many weeks between
life and death , but life again claimed the vic
tory.
tory.At
At first she refused to see her babe , or ever
permit ! t to be in the room where she was :
But , finally , Bhe seemed to take pity on tht
innocent little stranger , and after that would
' not suffer It out of her sight for a moment
She would sit for hours cl.isping it to her bo
com while she gazed mournfully into its little
face , carcsslmr it fondly all ttie while.
What she suffered iu those days none but
the Almighty can toll. I fetl my utter inabil
ity , and thefutlleness of my pea to correctly I
portray the hideous , horrible anguish of out
so delicately sensitive as Rose , with such a
ghastly Borrow gnawing at her heart-strings.
Pardon mo for the lootli6ome picture , but I
ask any pure , virtuous wife , as she alts with
her babe on her lap. to look into its innocent
eves , and then imagine for a moment , if she
cltn , that Its father is her owu brother.
Ronald , as soon as Rose had recovered from
her first illness , and he could no longer call at
the house without her knowledge , became
restless and uneasy. He could not endure to
remain where so many familiar scenes aroused
• iticJi painful recollections. He resolved to
fobpke them , and bv visiting new places aud
new scenes seek to forget them. Accordingly ,
after arruglug his affairs as best he could , fie
ret out , and lor many weary months he loved
from place to place , never stopping alwa-
moving. The novelty of change was some re
lief , In that It prevented his uiiud from dwell
ing wholly upon the harrowlug past not that
he ever forgot for a moment ; for no matter
where he wentor what new place he visited.that
sad past dogged his footsteps , embittering his
wakeful hours and disturbing his dreams. He
felt that it was slowly sapping away his life ;
but iu that was his only consolation , for he
knew that it could ouly be a few years at the
farthest until nature would finally succumb ,
and then would come the blessedness of death.
One morning as he was walking aimlessly
along a quiet , unfrequented street in a city
not many' miles from C , he was surprised
to see a young lady , apparently iu sore dis
tress , open the door of the house and come
hurriedly toward him. She was weeping bit
terly , anU her long , golden curls were uncover
ed and fiyiug unhindered In the breeze.
"Oh , sir , " she asked , in a pleading voice ,
"will you please go quickly for a physician i
My mother is dying , aud I am alone , "
"Certainly , " he replied. "Have you any
particular choice ?
"No , no ; only be quick , please , " she ans
wered , patiently , as she hurried back iuto the
house.
After some difficulty and delay Ronald suc
ceeded lu tiudiug a physician and came hack
with him.
When they entered the house they found the
girl bending over the Invalid , chattug her
bloodless hands aud sobbing hysterically.
The physician approached the bed aud be
gan a careful examination of bis patient , and
while he was thus occupied Ronald had time
to observe her features minutely.
Hers was certainly no ordinary face. She
had undoubtedly at oue time been a very
beautiful woman , but sickness and suffering
had made fearful ravages on her once comely
face aud form. She did not appear to be very
far advanced in years , yet her hair was amply-
sprinkled with gray. Her hard , set features
presented the appearauce of having borne a
life-long burden of sorrow and suffering.
There was a familiar look about her face , and
especially about the eyes and mouth , that
puzzled Ronald. He tried to recall where he
had seeu it , but after pondering awhile iu
vain he concluded that he must be mistaken ,
and so dismissed the matter from his mind.
The doctor had completed his examiu Uou ,
and now stood shaking his head sorrowfully.
"We cau do very little for her , " he said ,
sadly. "She has but a short time for this
world. "
"Oh , dotcor can you do nothing to save
her ? " sobbed the grief-stricken girl. "She
Is all I have left iu the world. "
"I fear uot , my poor girl , " sadly answered
the kiud-hearted physician , as he brushed a
• tear from his e\-e with his handkerchief.
"You had better prepare for the worst. "
"Oh , my jioor mother ! " hhe wailed , as she
threw herself on her knees beside the bed ,
and clasping one thin , wasted hand in Loth
her own , she showered passionate kisses on the
wan face. "Mother , O mother ? Don't leave
your little girl. I cannot live without you.
Speak to your darling Cora , mother , " she
pleaded , piteously , while the tears fell thick
aud fast ou the pallid face of the dying
woman.
The tender-hearted doctor was now weeping
copiously , and Rouald unconsciously felt for
his handkerchief.
The invalid moved uneasily , while a spasm
of pain passed across her features , as if she
were suffering great mental or bodilj" auguish.
"No , no , Cora. You know not what you
say , " she moaned. "If 30U knew the truth
you would curse me. "
"Oh , mother , don't talk so , " wept the girL
"You see doctor , her mind is wauderiug. She
knows not what she says. "
"No , no ; God knows it is only too true , "
groaned the woman.That is what is killing
uie. "
"She undoubtedly has some secret that Is
preying upon her mind , " said Rouald. "How
long has she been in this uiood ? "
"Ever since she took worse , " answered the '
weeping girl. • I cannot understand it. She
raves about some strange woman of whom I !
bave never heard , and of borne great wrong -
ihe has done to her. "
"Does she ever mention her name ? " asked '
the doctor.
"Yes , frequentlj' . It is Mary Manford , but '
[ know of notuch lad- . " !
" .Mary Manford ! " exclaimed Ronald. (
, cYesdo-0i ; know her ? " asked the wonder
ing girl , hut before Ronald could answer the
rnvatid stirred with a convulsive movement j
md stared wildly at Rouald. J
"Yes Mauford ! " she '
, yes , Mary uttered.
Fehemently. "Be quick ; send for her , and
'die girl. 1 must see them befoie I die. "
"Mary Mauford of C ? " asked Ronald ,
• n bewilderment. i
"Yes , " gasped the woman. "Oh , for heav-
jn's sake be quick or it will be too late. I J
: anuot , I will not die until * I have confessed
3er mv great siu , " and she laback on the '
sed exhausted.
"This is something serious , " said the docL
: ortoRoaaId. "If vou kuow the lady she re
fers to you bad better send for her at once ;
ind the sooner the better , for she cannot live .
nany hours at the farthest. " '
Wondering iu what ? manner the unfortunate *
Yoman could have wronged Mrs. Manford , J
Ronald hastened to a telegraph odice and disr
Dutch ed a message to the ludy , urging her to
jonie without fail on the next train. e
As there was a direct Hue of road running l
jo C , which was only about sixty miles ,
e knew that she would arrive in a few hours.r
in the meantime Ronald aud the doctor re- \
nained with the dyiug woman , soothing her j ;
igitatiou acd comforiing the alliicted Cora. ,
She continued to rave violently at intervals . ,
for some time , moaning piteoush" , aud calling ,
lpon Mary Manford. Once they thought the
ttruggle was over , but she finally rallied , and
ifter that became more quiet.
When Mrs. .Manford arrived she was resting
luietly and had fallen into a gentle sleep.
Mrs. Mauford had arrived in the city in J
treat anxiety and agitation , for Ronald's
nessage had not enlightened her as to the oha
ect ol her ; hurried journey ; but he explainq
: d the situation to her as ; well as he was able
> n their way from the depot to the house. She
lad not told Rose of Ronald's message , for cl
the feared that in her delicate health the 1
: onsequences might prove disastrous. i ;
She went directly to the bedside and scani i <
led her features closely for several moments.
"I do not recognizo the face , " she said. "
-What is her name ? " S
"Jeannette Corbey , " said Cora. t
"The name also is new to me. She is sure0
y laboring uuder some hallucination. "
Here the invalid awoke , aud , opening her
: yes , she gazed intently at Mrs. Mantord. e
"So you have come at last. " she said. 1 :
"Y/es ; but do not agitate yourself unnecc
: ssarily , Mrs. Corbey. There is some mistake ; n
rou have never wronged me In the least , I as- "
lure you. " E
"Alasl there is no mistake , " moaned the c
xxir creature. "I have done you an irreparv
ible Injury , and I felt that I could uot die in s
jeaec without confessing to you and receiving t
Four forgiveness. "
"You have my full and free forgiveness al- t
• eady , Mrs. Corbey , although I cannot con-
civc how you have ever wronged me , " said
Urs. Mauford , fervently.
"But where is your where Is Rose ? " asked
Urs. Corbey , looking about the room. J ]
"Her delicate health would not permit of
ier coming on so long a journey. " s
"O God i And I had longed so to see her $
nce more , " groaned the sufferer. "But I
suppose It was Intended as part of my punishl
neut that I should be denied this blessing. V
Fou recoEnize me , Mrs. Mauford ? " a
"No ; I am certain that I do not"
"Do you remember the youug widow you y
Mice engaged as a nurse for yourlittle child ? " ' '
"Yes ; but I had forgotten "her name. Are J
fou she ? " r
"Tea. " c
"I never saw enough of you to know you
rcry well. I was abtcnt with mv husband ' '
in Europe for nearly a year at the time. I re- c
t
.
mi mi.iii * -
member that when I returned I comnlimcntcl
you very highly for the excellent care you hai
taken of the child. "
"You would nothave done so had you knowi
the truth. " groaned Mrs. Corbey.
"What do you mean ? " asked Mrs. Manford
"My object In feuding for vou was to au
awer that question. But I must be brief , for 1
am falling rapidly , and I feel that I have btu
a few inlnute3 left 111 which to speak , " and
here the djlng woinnn paused a few moment !
for breath. The great change was comin |
over her rapidly , and death was fast Impress
ing his great seal upon her face , while tht
death-damps were already accumulating udoc
her brow.
"Years ago , " she continued , "when I wai
Jeannette Morley , I was an Innocent younj
girl , as free from the vices of the world as at
angel I was happy , too ; for I had an idolizec
lover whom I worshiped with all mv heart auc
soul , and who I then fondly believed carec
more for me than any one else In the world
although he had never told me so in words
und when you came between us and wor
Percy Manford's love away from mc , the de
mon was aroused wltln me. I cursed yoc
with bitter curses ; I , heaven help me , callei :
upon the evil one to visit you with the most
direful calamities. I even prayed In my mis
ery that I might die. In my mortlllcatior
and despair I married a man whom I nevei
loved , for I have never loved any out
but l'ercy Manford. My husband died in a
short time , and left me with an iufaut daugh
ter and in abject poverty. Wlieu you came tc
meat that time asking mc to care foryoui
little babe the demon was again aroused with
in me. 1 accepted the trust with the delib
erate intention of wreaking a fearful ven
geance upon you. You left the child with mt
and never saw it again for nearly a year. The
two girls , youra and mine , were about tin
same age. I had so worked upon my mind
that I had brought myself to believe that you
had done me a great wrong , although reason
should have told me It was false , for you had
never known me ; but in my mad misery I wai
ready to believe anything. I thought with
bitter feelings of my child doomed to a life 01
poverty and misery while yours would live a
life of plenty and happiness , for Percy Man
ford was rich'iii those days. In the agony 01
my mad mood I thought this unjust ; 1 lookcc
upon your innocent girl as a usurper. I
thought that by all that was just and right
mine was the one that should have cnjoyedal )
these blefslng3. And when you came back
and claimed your child I , God pity mc , gave
you mine instead of vours. "
"
"You did this thiug ! " exclaimed Mrs. Man
ford.
ford."Yes
"Yes ; but oh how bitterly I have repented , "
moaned the miserable woman. "The girl you
have always believed to ba your ' daughter is
uot yours , but mine , aud this one kneeling
here is yours , " and with a convul-ive
gasp she lay back upon the pdlow , aud they
knew that her struggles were over.
For a time , in the awful presence of death ,
silence reigned through the room , broken only
by the hysterical weeping of the sorrowing
girl. Then Mri. Manford motioned P.onald to
her side.
"Ronald , " she said , placing the girl's baud
in hie , "this is your sister. "
"What ! " he exclaimed , as the glad light of
burst him. " sis
a great happiuess upou "My
ter Rosette ? "
"Yes. "
"Aud the other "
"Is this woman's daughter. "
"Thank heaven ! " he exclaimed with deep
emotiou. "Aud this is my little sister Rosette ,
now grown to a woman I"
"I don't understand it all , " said Rosette
is we must now call her 111 bewilderment ,
addressing Mrs. Manford. "Are you my
mother ? "
"No , my dear. I am only your adopted
mother. Your mother died when you were a
uabe ; but this is your brother Ronald. "
"For my part , " said Ro < eite , "I don't know
Lhat tlie revelation has made me any happier ,
except that it has given me a brother , for I
loved her so , " aud she bent over the inani
mate form of her foster mother and wept
scalding tears on a face that no louger re
sponded to her tender caresse ? .
"Poor tired soul ! " exclaimed Mrs. Manford ,
: ompassionately. "Let us hope that in death
she has found peace at last"
"Yes , " said Rona d. still clasping his sis
ter's baud , as he bent over the lifctcs-i form
md gazed sorrowfully iuto the paceful face.
'She has hud a hard an 1 hitt ; r ! if \ Her long
sufferings have amply atoned for her sin , and
n the next world she will barely find nothing
jut peace and happiness. "
The next morning tin-7 returned foC .
: akiug the remains of Mn = . C"iel > y with th.m ;
ind a "few days later tht'y laid her to njst be-
lide her husband in the cemetery at that place.
When they returned home thev found Rose
n great agitation at the prolonged absence of
drs. Mauford.
She was sitting by the window , holding her
abe in her lap.
Ronald was painfully surprised when he saw
ier white , wasted face. For a moment lie
tood regarding her with mingled looks of
leep pity .ind love.
Mrs. Manford took the babe from her arm- .
Rose sprang to her feet with a giad cry hut
he next instant she covered her face with her
iand6 , while the hot blood rushed to her
lieeks.
"O Ronald ! " she exclaimed , mournfully.
'Why did you come here-
"Because I have a right , my darling , " he
aid in a proud voice.
"What do you mean ? " she asked , iu a start
ed tone , as she looked at him fearfuIJv.
"I mean that we have been laboring undr
terrible mistake. Rose , mv darling , this is
: iy sister Rosette , " he said , indicating the
; irl at his side.
"And I ? " aslced Roe , with a ga3p.
"You are my darling wife. "
For a moment she stood regarding them iu
ewildered amazement , her eyes roving from
lonald to Rosette and back again to Ronald ,
ud in that glance she read the full conlirma-
ion of his words in the striking likeness of
lie brother and sister , while Ronald read a
Dlution of the strange familiarity he had
oticed in Mrs. Corbey in the face of his wife.
Rose took one hasty step forward , partly
lised her hands , her e5"C3 helming with hap-
iness , while her breath came in short , quick
asps through her parted lip * , her face llush-
d with a great , glad joy , and then with a cry
Ronald ! " she fell forward into his arm ? ,
here she lay weeping for joy. bquire ITolvs ,
t The Current.
O 1
Injury to Personal Appearance.
There is one more point upon which
i would perhaps be well to speak , the
bsolute injury to personal appearance
aused. by permitting a child to suck its
iiinib. There is perhaps no ill effect
urin infancy , but if the habit is al-
> wed to continue ( as in many eases it-
; ) until the jaw begins to expand lo
lake room for the second to . 'th , the
iiape of the mouth is ruined for all
me. The upper incisors are pushed
utward aud their inner ed < ; es pushed
pward in many cases , so that the low-
r edges instead of forming a straight
ne. as they should make a "Y , " lesser
r greater in proportion to the habit
nd the natural conformation of the
louth. Where you see this peculiar
( information of jaw in an auiilt you
• ill in nearly every case see a corre-
ponding lack of symmetry , if not posi-
ve deformity , of the thumb. Emma
I Ilewdt.
Had Iliiu on the Jlip.
A Cincinnati speculator went over
lto Kentucky to take a look at an oil
pring which a farmer claimed to have
iscovered on his land. Sure enough
le surface of the water was covered
rith oil. and it could be traced along
creek for a mile "Well , what do
ou think ? " quired the farmer , after a
mg investigator ! . "Why , I think
011 have used about throe barrels of
ctrolcuru. around hero. " replied tho
apitalist "Uiiniph ! That show-s how
wftil sharp you are. I didn 't use but
ne ami a ha lf. " Wall Street Setcs.
. -h i * ' - - * . .r 11 * ' - ' * ' * " ' 7ijj i mj
' ! }
A SHARP YANKEE SKIPPER'f I
& * . I
runlc on
Ho Cot Hi * Cuptora Jew
jCimlmid Hum and Carried 'I bum ,1
J11 lo l'ort Prisoners. j >
'
In view of the issues between Cana- -
da ami Use United States on the fishery V
this following account of tho
qiiutio i ,
method employed by a sharp Yankee n
skipper to wrest his vessel from p
tho * hands of his captor * the officer ? ' y
of an English cutter , will provo
intereKt'ng , writes a Lancaster , Mass. , tf ' V.
correspondent of The Boston Globe. n |
Iu the early part of tho present cenjf • '
tury land about the region of Eastporr , ' v
Mo. , was not under a high state of cul- V
tivation , and the readouts of that re- I
g on demanded tho produce of other re- f I
gions , and a largo carrying trade was I
established in American bottoms , and K. 1
Yankee packets mado their regular 1
trips to Eastport and other ports in K. . <
that part of the country. New England • 1
in the car-
rum had a prominent place
goes of those days , and in the story to 1
he told it is the star of the piece. Kiim
then was cheap and plentiful ; then n M
good sized rum toddies could bn bought t
lor a cents. In the language of nir ,
informant , "The quality was excellent , M
the l.qtior . being so long on the voyage M
in the little old trap schooners that it
had plenty of time to ripen. " Ai 9
About the time referred to there wai ? a
marked flexibility about the line divid- jl
ing the Yankee from the Briton , it be- S
mg so indelinately defined , which was 9
aii incentive for the arrogant "John fl
Bull" mariners to keep a close watch tM
for any and all ankee crafts that S
might come sullie ' ently near their do- 9
main to permit even a very strained bv H
excuse for seizure. -7 ' T9
Capt. Thomas Hinckley was among jH
those who ran coasters in those days , . HJ
Ebenezer , his brother , sailing with him t 9J
as mate. On one of the.r trips from iflj
llaliowell , when bound into Eastport ' |
witli a full cargo of merchandise , head 'flj
'
winds and an adverse tide compelled 'flj
the anchoring of the packet one night t/fll
when the voyage was almost ended , lie- BJ
fore morning , on account of the action fi % jjH
of tide and wind , tho packet dragged * v /j |
considerably , and when morning dawn- ' ArJ
ed the crew found themselves and ves- , M
sel at a point easily claimed by tiie Brit- if fl
ish ns "over the line. " In sight was a M
British cutter , aud soon a boat-load ol ' ' |
marines , with ten oars on a side , was !
dispatched to take the Yankee. There i1 ' ' M
was no avenue open by which the skip- J | * H
per could escape , and himself , crew , j 1 jt' ' j |
and packet were eas ly captured. % , 4 I'jEYJ
Capt. liinckiey was thoroughly arous- 'TbbI '
ed. and declared the sy zuoa high-hand- ' H
ed outrage and a direct insult to his ) 1 H
country. It all availed nothing except f l
to make sport for tin : captors , whe | ' ? |
chuckled over their success , lie argu- * > |
cd that if • 'over the line" it was not i'bTbI
thorough intention of his ; that the 7 1
elements were alone responsible. But , ifafll
his argument had no effect , and he < [ Slftfl
soon apparently accepted the situation " ( ! ' bb1
in a philosophical manner. ) , ' H
Cipt. Hinckley had but live men fot | j H
his crew , none of whom were armed , ; H
aud when it was proposed by the com- ' H
niander of the cutter lo make sail foi < / / H
Hal.fax on the following day no objec- C , BflB
ton ; was made by the captives , so quiet- H H
ly did they btibm.t and accept the , ( fBBB
sit tint.on. t tH
Capt. Hinckley had on board hiscrafl ' H
a god stuck of ex.eiieut rum , and he Ij B
soon hjt-anic very companionable , and ' |
began to "Set " em up" fur those whe " ' / ' iB bI
nabbed him and his possessions. Ilh vAVJ
gonial bearing and quiet demeanor be'i H
tokened that lie submitted mosi • /'bB / '
gr.ic ously to tht * inevitable , and disarm ' ' | H
ed the lordly llr.tisher.s of : il ! suspicion , ' 'XBB
to they readily accepted h s hospitality v < - " , 'j ' H
aud drank at every invitation. Il 1' ' 'tBBB
miirlit have been noticed , but it wasn't , TbI
thai the captain of Ihe Yankee crafl " , < |
and his took " " ' H
crew very "light ones" 'j
for theirs. 'iaTfl
As a re-ulfc of repeated potations , < * ' H
midnight found those in charge of the ' fllBI
captured pa-et ! drunk as new ruin. itflBfl
Tiit-n the oiliecr was seized ami mad ; 'Ayfl
a prisoner below , and tho crew wu f'afl
disarmed aud chained up. !
Then the work began. The windless \ I | |
was manned and the canvas set. A ! ' ' ( |
leading wind having set in the crew 01 VBBB
tiie old packet turned her stern toward 'bTbI '
' ,
llajif.ixswinging her bow toward Lubec • l H
which was reached indue time , havina ( ' * '
borne away from the British cuttel ! ' }
without creating an alarm among ' ' • iBTbI
those on board. f'j ; |
After arrival in port Capt Hinckley 4 ' 'I ' > 1bBB
paced the dock at which his vessel waj < 'J BB
moored , carrying on his shouldei SbBb !
one of the capf tired British muskets. ' * ' H
waiting for tiie break of day. Soor 'irflBH
after daylight the prisoner ? were • > H
brought forth , ami a more sheepish. 'I ' H
crestfallen , and cheap-feeling set a ! l IflBH
mm never came out from under tin j H
influence of copious draughts oi Xej ff ' > ' H
England rum. The commander of tin ' * - - ' * i H
crew who wts left in charge of th *
captured vessel said that lie couMn ' 'tj BB
biame the shrewd Yankee skipoer fo. . flH
recapturing hs ; vessel , but he rcgarde. J H
himself as a blank fool to be j-o ' easil , j H
taken in after what was regarded as I BBbI
sharp trick on ttie part ot The cutter * ' ' | BTfl
commander had been played. ' ' < Bb1
Capt. Hinckley received instruction- ' /VBbI (
from an American ship-of-war , thei . ' jSBbI
m port , that if anv attempt was mad / H
to recapture his vessel that h , v \ < H
g.ve a certain .signal and promp & ' H
assistance would ba rendered. Ther , ! ,
was no such atfnipt , however. Tlj. . ' < Bb1
cargo was discharged and sold in th. 'r ' H
customary manner. " jBBbI
This scores a good one for "New "J BbI
England rum. '
BfflB
Not For aitickel. tff 'l. ' l
"If I will tell yon who stole Charlii * ? , , , ; |
Ross will you give me ten cents to baj ' BBbI
ray dinner ? " queried a tramp yester- ff l
nay as he halted a patrolman on Gris iffl l
> vohl street. iiflTfll
-No , sir ! " was the decided answer. ' |
"Very well. sirlXo ten cents , no te * r > ArBB
Let Charlie remain stolen. You mai bTbbI
think I'll come back and offer to tel Jfr ? jflH
for a nickel , but I never will never ! " * J- i ' iflTflTJ
Detroit. Free Press. 1 < H
. . . j B-VJ
It seems paradoxical , but it is true , th * • j f H
lo.tttng debts will sink a corporation. Th "BBBI
Bits. M
A busdicl of s = nd on the sidewalk is wort r " J4bBb1
two in the sugar. LUdeford Jour/ml. ' BBB
'BBBfl
. bb1