Holmes County Republican. [volume] (Millersburg, Holmes County, Ohio) 1856-1865, 1857-11-26
"And with whom do you live now?"

of nv mothers after she came from Eng.
, land. We went there when | was little
, girl, and papa lost his property, and died
there. was only twelve when We came
} back. 1t is four years ago. Mamma
lived two of these, and was taking draw
ing lessons, and expecting to teach, when
she was taken i'll. After she died. lived
year with Mrs. Mason, and then the
money we brought from England was all
gone. l learned to do plain sewing Of
Mrs. Mason's niece. l am hoping some
time to lay by money enough to take draw
ing lessons again"
This simple epitome of the past was
murmured among the wind pauses, in a
low, sweet voice, that seemed to Wilton
Hughes like music he had heard long ago.
"May l enquire your mothers name 2"
"Mary Willis Arnold"
| Wilton stood STILL 1t was the one
named burned into his soul. Just then
the wind beat up hoarser, madder than
before. He did not hear it for the loud
er wind that was driving through his
heart.
The girl clung to him, and shuddered.
1t was the first thing that aroused him.
"Don't be frightened" he said soothing
ly; 1--WE are almost home. l think, from
your description, your mother and were
old acquaintance"
They were walking on again. She look
ed up in unspeakable surprise. "If you
tell me your name?"
"Wilton Hughes! Did your mother
ever speak of it?"
"Oh yes! 1 am so glad how very
strange! She left letter for you the We
ry day she died, and told me to be sure
and keep it till found you. Here we are
home! You will come in, Mr.. Hughes,
and get the letterl''
He did not answer her, but he followed
the light footsteps into the small brown
house.
The girl entered the parlor. 1t was
plainly, but decently furnished. An old,
but very pleasant looking woman, sat by
the small cylander stove, and lamp was
burning on the table.
elena, 1 have been so worried about
you," said the old woman, and then stop
ped suddenly, on seeing a stranger.
at is mothers's old friend, Mr.. Hughes.
You remember, Mrs. Mason," said Lena,
as she ushered the gentleman into the
parlor.
Mrs. Mason received him with rapturous
expressions of delight; but as Lena threw
off her bonnet, and came into the light, he
could only think of her. The large hazel
brown eyes, the fair, pure features were so
like those his early manhood had loved,
that he longed TO draw the sewing girl to
his heart, and rain down kisses upon them.
Lena's father had bequeathed her hair and
lashes their thick darkness, and given the
proud curve to her lips in their repose;
but in all else she was like her mother.
Wilton's eyes followed the girl as she
left the room, and he vainly tried to an
swer Mrs. Mason's inquiries with anything
but monosyIlables.
In moment Lena returned and laid
the letter in his hand. How it shook as
he opened iti There were but few words,
traced. evidently by faltering hand. So
ran the letter:
"MY BELOVED WILToN:-I am dying
to-day, and few must be the words l can
say to you. Ten years ago, holding my
fathers dying hand in mine, 1 learned all.
We were both the victims. Thank God,
your heart was as true as my own. Will
ton, my child is fatherless and motherless,
and | have none with whom to leave her.
l give her to you, tho know not where
you are, whether married or single, for l
have never heard of you since
"I can hardly see the lines, and 1 know
the darkness that is coming over them is
death. Tomorrow l shall be at home,
and when this comes to you, you will
take care of Lena, for the sake of
MARY
Wilton read this letter through, and then
the proud man leaned his arms on the ia
bic, and burrying his head there, sobbed
like very child, unmindful of his fearful
listeners.
1 cannot tell all which took place that
evening in Mrs. Mason's little parlor; but
when Wilton Hughes had risen to leave,
he put aside Lena's thick curls, and look
ing in her face, said, very tenderly:
'My child, never 60 out to another days
sewing. Your mother has given you to
me. l will take good care of you."
A month had passed.
"What is the reason that Wilton never
stays at home now-a-days!" said Mrs.
Hills TO her dull, but very stately husband,
on one of those unfrequent evenings which
they were passing alone together. ale
used to be away quiet too much, 1 thought,
but now we never get a glimpse of him
till eleven. Do, Charles hand me that
magizine."
"Perhaps he's out courting; eh, Sara?"
suggested the gentleman, as be passed
the pamphlet to his wife.
Nonsense; its nothing of that kind"
replied the lady, quickly, for she had no
great confidence in her husbands discrim-
mating faculties. "rd give him lecture
for leaving me so; but, then, what good
would it dol"
Ii Mrs. Hills could have known the new
life which the heart of her brother had
been living for the last month, and if she
could have looked into Mrs. Mason's little
parlor that evening, it would greatly have
modified her remarks.
Wilton Hughes had passed his evenings
with Lena Arnold, ,and his soul had drunken
again of the golden goblet of its youth.
Lena was so child like, so unaffected.
that it was a joy to the world-weary man
L. i'll H..