Eastern times. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1846-1857, 1853-01-13

of yesterday, but radiant with golden light.
balmy and fair. Allie Dale sat upon the porch
step; nature was joyous, but she was not; and
whilst the birds sang, she sighed.
You are sad this evening, Mrs. Dale, and
whereforel'
Allie turned and saw Sylvester Trelan a
shiver of dislike crossed her, and she answered
proudly:
You need not ask, Mr.. Trelan. Permit
me to inquire why you have twice cruelty
wounded the heart Of my mother. and not two
weeks have flown since you entered our family.
Why have you done this.
For my own satisfaction hurriedly re-
turned Mr.. Trelan. sf-aO--
Is your heart Of adsnant. You know not
what agony TO my mother is in the mention of
Ned; even Mabel and myself have never dared
to advert to him, by word or look, for years
and yet you, stranger, cody delight in her
misery.
Not so-not so; have an object in view,'
said Trelan, with strange emphasis.
Allie Dale did not reply. Again she sighed
and again her companion inquired the reason
of her grief.
will tell you,' she answered suddenly,
although you have no feeling. To save
mother, Mabel and myself from bitter poverty,
| have partly consented to wed one | can never
love; and now path of wretchedness lies be-
fore me-
Be comforted, Allie-Mrs. Dale In that
path you shall never walk. will save you,
so help me heaven!'
Allie looked up through her tears at Trelan,
but he turned away from her earnest gaze, and
left her alone.
An hour later, Sylvester Trelan entered the
parlor where sat Mrs. Kirkham, Allie and Ma
bel. A chill silence followed his entrance
1t was broken at last BY Trelan.
Mrs. Kirkham, wish not TO torture yon,
but Iimplore you, tell me, do you lOUe your
sOn9' AS Trelan paused, his frame shook
with violent emotion.
ln mercy, speak not his name again 10 me !"
gasped Mrs. Kirkham.
In mercy. answer my question, and
pledge my sacred honor that cease 10 trouble
yOu.'
Man tormentOr! You have pitilessly
torn my bleeding heart since you came to this
house; now leave it and take my answer.
love my dead boy with mad, passionate, un-
dying love = Mrs. Kirkham almost screamed
these words out, and then clasping her hands
tightly together, she pressed them on her
brow
/ have probed your heart bat to heal. Oh,
mother raofhar 4 have JsHer sssved yc<, Rave
pined for you; mother, behold your son -
And with convulsive sob, the strong man
threw himself on his knees before Mrs. Kirk
ham.
My son = exclaimed the bewildered woman,
looking wildly on Trelan. ALAS no-my
poor boy was drowned
Mother. he was not, tell yon. I am
your son. | am Edward Kirkham. In mo-
and left my clothes and satchel on the bank,
that you might think slept beneath the wa
tiers. Oh, mother, forgive me = As Edward
Kirkham spoke, he swept back the masses Of
dark hair from his brow, and his high, bold
forehead was uncovered. A deep red scar
glowed upon it. AS Mrs. Kirkham's eye fell
on this, she uttered scream Of joy.
You are my Ned! That scar was on your
brow in childhood. know you now. Oh,
child, for seventeen long years parted from
your mother, you are mine again! My God I!
| thank Thee. And Mrs. Kirkham's arms
were wound around her sons neck, with
wild rapturous endearment,
Allie and Mabel knelt by Edward Kirk
ham and when his mothers head was on his
shoulder, and their soft kisses fell upon his
cheek and lip the weary wanderer of sew
enteen years acknowledged with a grateful
heart that God had richly blessed him.
Il have gathered wealth; have brought
home gold, mother-it is yours! You are
poor no longer. Sweet sister! darling Allie !!
you shall never walk in the wretched path
of which you told me an hour ago.
Allie Dale looked fondly in her brothers
face, as he spoke. Il said harsh things to
you one hour ago. My precious Ned. can
you forgive them?'
think not Of them. Mother,' said Ed.
ward, turning 10 Mrs. Kirkham, forgive my
strange conduct since came to your house.
know my questions seen ed cruel, but felt
sucha wild yearning tS>hear from your own
lips whether you had forgiven and loved me
yet. or had cast me off forever. Had your
heart seemed closed against me, would
have left you, unknowing that other than
Sylvester Trelan had crossed your lhresIl-
DID,
Forgive me. o Ned have been fear
fully punished for my bitter words to you on
that dreadful morning. My heart has borne
load Of misery ever since, my precious
boy
Mrs. Kirkham's arms were around Ed
ward again, and mother and son felt that, in
that earnest, holy embrace, both were for
given, and the shadows of the past forever
effaced. Mrs. Kirkham chided herself as
one blind Of heart, for not knowing her son !;
but as Mabel and Allie declared, there was
little wonder she had failed to do so.
Seventeen years work deep changes, and
in The bronzed muscular man Of thirtx ,hroo