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

Seventeen years had feeted by since Mrs.
Kirkham's fearful bereavement - seventeen
long years. Mingled webs Of mercies and
chastenings, joys and sorrows, had passed over
the village. 1t had changed its houses were
more numerous, and spirit of life and activity
had sprung up in its very midst which seven
teen years before had slumbered. There was
a change in the inhabitants, an absence of we'll
known familiar faces, presence of new and
strange ones. In her old home Mrs. Kirkland
still lived. Her step had grown heavy and
her eye dim. Silver threads glistened from
beneath her widows cap. The weight of
years was beginning TO press hardly on Mrs.
Kirkham, though her spirit had lost none of
its energy. Time and bitter griefhad soltened
her fierce asperity of temper, and Mary Kirk
ham, sorely chastened, deeply sorrowing. was
a subdued and altered woman. Allie Kirk
ham-!he gay little girl of seventeen years be-
fore-was widow. ChiIdless and alone, her
mirthful spirit saddened. Allie Dale returned
to her mothers house poorer than when she
left it. Mabel (still Mabel LYNN lived with
her aunt. Her brow was smooth and fair, as
in earlier years, yet her large black eyes had
a mournful gaze land her cheek was very pale.
Many wondered that the gentle and lovely Ma
bel Lynn had passed thirty years of her life,
unsought, unwon; yet Mabel was calmly
cheerful, and repined not at her lonely lot
10 her aunt's heart she was very dear. Allie
and Mabel were Mrs. Kirkham's treasures
all the old lady had.
Mrs. Kirkham grew poor. She had new
Der been wealthy, nut now her little fortune
seemed feeting fast away. Unless help came
soon, the homestead must pass into strang-
er hands, and this Mrs. Kirkham shrank
from. Mabel and Allie bent over their nee
dies from morn tin even, but their labors SEEM
ed in vain. Prospects darkened-money les
sened. As last resort, Mrs. Klrkham decid-
ed to take boarder-a gentleman boarder-
and for his use she would appropriate her best
bed-chamber, pretty room, over the neat lit
tie parlor. With the aid of her old domestic,
she could manage household affairs, and her
neice and daughter might still pursue their
sewing. Allie and Mabel approved Of this,
and the next week the following notice ap-
peared in the village paper
A pleasant room and boarding for one
gentleman, 10 be had on reasonable terms
Apply at Mrs. Kirkham's.'
No one responded TO this advertisement,
and for the fourth and last time, It filled a
corner in The Weekly Herald This time
il was successful.
| A stranger whom the stage had brought to
the village half houi before, carelessly
picked up the paper. Sylvester Trelan, for
so he had booked his name, read this notice
twice and then, having apparently arrived
at satisfactory conclusion, desired 10 be
shown the way TO Mrs. Kirkham's. Daring
a walk of some minutes, Mr.. Trelan asked
many questions Of bis little guide, con-
cerning the Kirkham family, expressing his
determination, if he liked them, TO remain
some weeks. don't know, reader, what
pleased Sylvester Treian so much at The
cottage, but this do know, that after gazing
round the pretty chamber, with its old-fash-
ioned red and green carpet, long white cur.
tains, and neatly made bed with snowy Mar