The independent press. (Abbeville C.H., S.C.) 1853-1860, 1858-07-09

"Humph! Do you like to go TO school 2"
"Oh! don't II"
There was no mistaking the tone she
dad like to go to school.
"What's your name9"
"Marion Harding"
"George, what a pity am not the hero
of nove!'
"Why 2"
"Tbey always adopt these little forlorni.
ties. Being an orphan myself makes me
feel an interest in this child's story. I've
half mind to invest some of my loose cash
in taking care Of her.
"Don Quixotte! You will die in the
Almsl'ouse yet, Harry, spite Of your wealth,
for such an open-handed fellow never saw
the light. Here we are at the village.
Now little girl where does Mrs. Jones live q"
"Right up that street. Thank you for
bringing me; I've had nice ride"
So they parted, Harry and George 10 60
back TO the tavern and grumble over dull
evening, and Marion to sew till her eyes
ached, and then creep up stairs to the attic
and sleep soundIy on the hard bed.
Marion Harding! You May! Where on
earth is the child! Marion!"
"les ma'am."
"Go into the parlor; there's some folks
want to see you.'
"Want to see mel" thought the child,
"who can want to see mel"
With slow, timid step, she entered the
parlor. Harry Ashly was there, aud with
him an elderly lady, who held out her hand
to the little girl and drew her towards her.
She looked earnestly into the little face,
marked tie broad forehead, and the large,
fnll eye, and then spoke to her.
"My dear, how would you like 10 come
and live with me, and wait upon mc?"
Marion, captivated by the sweet voice
and pleasant face, replied, "very much,
ma'am."
"Aunt Mary" said Harry, ''shall I call
Mrs. Joncss"
"Ies, Sir Impatience."
Marion's story, given by Mrs. Jones, was
a brief, and very common one. Her IA
ther, a violinist, had become incorporate,
and died when Marion was very young;
her mother, after nine years of hard work
in the endeavor to support herself and child
decently, died in the village Aln,shouse,
and Marion was, in her tenth year, bound
to Mrs. Jones as her errand girl.
After some talk Mrs. AshIy decided to
take the child. educate her, and try, as Mrs.
Jones said, ito make something of her,"
The drcssmaker was easily persuaded, upon
the payment Of a sum Of money, to release
the child from her engagement.
Mrs. Ashly's first care was to have her
protege cleanly and neatly dressed, and
then, under Harry's escort, she returned
with her new charge to her home in New
York. At first her intention was 10 place
the child in school, and have her services
as waiter between school hours, but Ma
rlon's Intelligence and loving disposition
won the heart Of the lonely widow, and she
formally adopted her.
Years rolled on; Harry, now Dr.. Asl,ly
still lived with his Aunt Mary, who was at
once bis uncle's widow and his mothers
sister. Marion was away at boarding.
school, studying hard, and writing home
often to console her dear Aunt Mary for
her absence. And now, for time, we
must leave the three.
Mother" said young man coming into
Mrs. Morton's boudoir, one morning, "who
is that lovely girl in the nursery9 Such
hair and eyes, and such fgure2"
"Wbat are+ you talking about, George? {?
Since you came home from Germany you
60 crazy about every pretty face. There is
tio one in the nursery but your sisters and
their governess, Miss Ashly."
"Ashly Any relation to Harry7"
No! Have you never heard The story ?
Oh, l recollect; you went away very soon
after it happened, SO suppose you have for
gotten it. Mrs. Ashly picked up this girl
running about bafefoo.ed in some obscure
country town, brought ber home and adopt
ed her. She had her educated in the best
schools and by the best masters, and every
one thought she meant to leaye her money,
or that Harry would marry her. Last
Winter she brought her .out t, and she made
quite sensation. Harry, as you know,
went to Europe to study, and has not re-
turned. About tso months .aso Mrs.
Az Ashly died, and there was 10 win found
but tan old one, drawn up yeqEs ago, leaving
all her, property to Harry. tMaaon, sef
course, has nothing 90 after the esecu.ors
Of the VIII closed Mrs. Asbiys ;houss aptil