Indiana American. [volume] (Brookville, Ind.) 1833-1861, 1855-12-28

his wealth. anu social elevation al tne
feet of the country girl. her parents
looked off on the little yellow cottage
which was Wilton's home, and said
"Our child shall be the wife Of the
rich mani But Mary was true, God
bless herl and there was a long web Of
deceit and f,lsehood woven about
her heart before she yielded to their
entreaties. He learned it all too
late.
And then Wilton Hughes went out
into the world. and did good battle
with il. He educated himself; he ele-
waited his family; and at thirty-fye he
was u rich man.
He had but two sisters; and when
their parents died they came to the
city. and married rich men. Proud.
fashionable, elegant women they were
admired their brother, because the
world did so, and yet dreaming little
OF the spring Of poetry. whose clear
watres gushed and kept green the
heart, so hidden from them; they cali
ed him odd. notionless. fastidious. and
could not understand why he was SO
Indifferent TO women. with whom his
graceful manners made him an espc-
cial favorite.
Wilton Hughes lived with his sis
ter. Mrs. Hill. She was the younger
and perhaps he loved her the better Of
the two. But there was no sympathy
between them. lie was n mystery.
and very provoking one. sometimes.
to her: and she was to him like book
which one admires for the elaborate
binding and gilded edges. but knows
there is but little inside after MI.
And SO Wilton Hughes sat there
alone in his sisters drawing-room that
winter afternoon. and the old years
came up softly aud sang sweet song
to nina song Of youth. and love,
and hope-and be found after all. that
the past still kept some pearls with
which to dover the present.
Il was quite late when he came
back again to the paper and the arm
chair; and he smiled u sweet half
mournful to himself rs he looked at
his watch aud murmurcd:
"Wbat time.stealers these rcveries
arel / guess III finish up these let
lers, aud not 80 out until after sup
per-"
IL was raw winter night. Wilton
stepped.back for his umbrella, for he
knew. as the wind met his face. il was
getting ready to snow.
When he returned he found a young
girl trying to close the door in the
teeth of the wind. and looking ruefully
out into the thick darkness. She WIS
slender. and had pale delicate features.
and that was all he could make out by
the gas light opposite. but her youth
and timidity appealed to'his heart at
once. Besides. II was not night on
which young and unprotected girl
should be alone.
Mrs. Hill is not at home this eve.
ming. he said to the girl, supposine
she had come there on some errand
to his sister. Have you seen the
housexeeper? She should not allow
Iyou TO return alone.
/ have heen sewing for Mrs. Hill
to-day, sir, answered the girl; anl
somehow the soft. sweet voice ihrlled
| the heart that was yet quivering t'
| The old, old memory tune. IL tool
mo longer to finish the work than
Thought it would; but had no ide'
Il was so dark. And she shudderet
as she looked down the street.
! Perhaps our paths lie in the sans
direction: il is not safe for you TO Z,
alone. am Mrs. Hills brother; will
you allow me TO accompany your ask
ed the gentleman.
She turned and looked earnestly u
him for n moment. IL was n yer,
fair. almost childish face that dwelt il
that plain straw bonnet.
Yea, sir, answered the girl eagerly
| shall be very grateful for your com
pany. for | am sad coward.
They had proceeded but n shor
distance. when the wind sprung u
stronger than ever. whirling up tn
yesterdays snow. and shooting aloni
( the street.
RI Wilton's companion stopped sud
| denly and gasped. ."0hl | cannot e
! any further. The wind takes AVA
, my breath. 1t always does.
1 Don't be afraid. my child. | shall tax
care Of you. Hold your shawl befor
your face. and keep fast to me. There
!. is going down. We will proceed.
What should have done il IL ha
r not been for you? should never hav
! reached my home. never in the world
! And as the ssDI spoke, the gentlema
heard the throbbing Of the little COW
{ ard heart against his arm.
I You should never venture out alon
k again on such night. replied Wiltor
Have you no friend to come with you
81 No sir, she answered mournlully
: my mother died two years ago. Sh
= was the only relation | had on eartl
e Poor child Involuntarily the ger
u tleman's hand closed over that whic
: lay on his arm. for helplessness mad
: her seem to him like child.
And with whom do you live now
With Mrs. Mason, who was
r friend of Of my mothers. after sh
}. came from England. We went thel
r when | was little girl. and pa
u pa lost his property, and died there
e was only twelve when we came bacl
J. II is four years. Memma lived two
n these: and | was taking drawing lcl
e sons. and expecting TO teach. CHE
= she was taken i'll. After she died,
II lived year with Mrs. Mason. an
% then the money We brought frol
e England was all gone. ! learned
h do plain sewing of Mrs. Mason
niece. am hoping sometime to la
n by money enough to take DRAWN
m lessons again.
l. This simple epitomc Of the past WI
is murmured among the wind pauses,
low, sweet voice. that seemed