Preble County Democrat. [volume] (Eaton, Ohio) 1857-1859, 1857-08-06

"Well, we will let that drop" said
Gertrude. " And now are you not going
to ask me in, after my long journey ?"
" Pray, forgive me- said Faith,
blushing at her inattcntion. "I will
show you to your chamber myself. 1t
has been ready for you this week.
They went up the walk together.
Two fair haired children ran out to the
door to meet them. The youngest, a
boy of some two summers, held up his
little hands to Miss Alewynno with
sunny smile. She stopped down and
through the hall with Faith.
+" Are these your only children "a
asked Gertrude.
" Yes, and they arc trouble enough for
me, replied the mother, looking at the
children with fond smile that betrayed
how little the e trouble was felt
Gertrude sighed, and said brokcnly,
& don't know, Faith, why every one
calls me cold and proud perhaps L am,
But when [ take little innocent child
in my arms, something stirs in my heart
that nothing else can touch. L might
have been better and happier woman,
Faith, if had married"
4" You know well what my favorite
plan always was, Gertrude. IF you had
only married my brother -" and
this time it was Faith sighed.
ooh, Faith, spare me ~ was the half
laughing answer.
" But you would have loved him if
you had only seen him. persisted Faith.
He is so noble, so generous, so hand
To holf lrafIo.
know but if he had been my own l
could not have loved him better"
By this time they had reached the
room which had been fitted up for Ger
trude. & ''Why you have made little
paradise for me- she said with pleased
smile, as she looked around the cham
ber '' | shall never want to leave you,
Faith
"If any pains of mine will keep you
am content" replied Faith.
But, Faith, :" said Miss Alewynnc,
dctaining her friend as she was about
to leave the room, | never know before
that your paragon was only a half
brother. Your maiden name was Faith
Anderson; pray what was his ?''
"Walter Roscoe" she replied, d" He
was the son of my step-mother. My
own @-other died when l was very
young"
q What was his name ?" The tone
was sharp and impatient, but the speak
cr's face was turned away from Faith.
walter Roscoe she repeated. My
boy is named after him. Walter Ros-
coe Egerton.
The icwcled hand that had been play
ing with the child's soft curls was drawn
away as suddenly as if serpent had
stung it, and Gertrude turned white
and rigid face towards her fric nd, as she
put the boy down and pointed to the
door.
Gertrude, what ails you? Are you
i'll o. cried Faith in terror. She caught
the bell-rope in her hand, but Miss
Alewynnc grasped her hand firmly.
Don't ring; shall be better soon,
she said in low voice. And, Faith.
for the sake of the old time when we
were school girls together say nothing
of my illness to any one, and ask me
no questions now. Leave me for little
while and to morrow 1 will tell you ALL "
the room with her children, and went
uOMn lIIc SldlIS. IIcE IuSUdHu ulcl
her in the hall and stopped to speak to
her. q Has your friend arrived?'' he
asked
q Yes, Alfred" she replied Have
you seen Walter p
81 went to his office, as you requested
me to, my dear, and asked him to come
and dine. He consented, and was talk |
ing with me as usual, when l happened
to mention Miss Alewynne's name. He
started up and turned white-but here
he comes, Faith, and you can sec for
yourself how strange he is. Fo stop
ped speaking and both turned towards
the door, as Walter Roscoe entered pale
and agitatcd.
Faith, is it true - is she in the
house p he asked wildly.
"AIiss Alewynne is here, Walter,
she replied
lie struck his hand upon his forehead,
saying, . Why was L not told that she
was coming?"
Don't look so angry dear Walter,
replied Faith, q l intended it as pleas
ant surprise for you both.
He half uttered an oath, and Faith
bursting into tears, cried, Oh, Walter,
don't, dom swear before these children
You never did so before
''It twas only on account of your pleas
ant SURPRISE" he, answered bitterly.
"Don't ever try another, Faith. l
have only come to say goodbye. The
same house can never hold Gertrude
-," )" he paused, and then added, as if
with an effort, Gertrude Alcwynnc
and myself"
But why, Wsltcr?" asked Faith,
clinging to him as he turned away
Have you ever met before"
He looked at her with strange
smile, as he replied, o Yes, Faith, we
met once too often"
" You knew Gertrude and yet never
spoke to me of her, when you knew
how much [ wished you to love each
other said Faith reproachfully. ooh,
Walter, L always thought [ had your
confidence -
And SO you have, Faith so you
have. except in this one thing" he said