The Cass County Republican. [volume] (Dowagiac, Mich.) 18??-1880, 1859-02-03

she was soon perfectly contented in
her new home. Mrs. Larkins lavished
upon her all the love she had felt for
her own little one, and no indulgence
was spared to make her happy. For a
little time she grieved for her sister,
but her new mother soon filed her
place, and, as time rolled on, she al
most forgot her. ''a'.'t
Two years passed; and if we look
into the florists little sitting room, we
shall see Hester and Mr. Holmes.
"Miss Crawford" said he taking from
his pocket a newspaper, 81 want to
read you little gem / discovered here
to-day; it is called neglected flowers"
With beautiful modulation and ex-
pression, he read piece of poetry,
one of the heart wailings which geuius
sometimes pours forth. AS he ceased,
he looked up for her approval. Her
check was flushed, and her eyes lit
with deep JOY.
care they not beautiful ?"
ell think / know the author"
"What! Lola? She writes most
beautifully. There is her prose article,
depth of feeling, and pure holy
spirit, rarely met with; have pre-
served them ALL" .
"You r'-and the flush deepened.
eyes; do you know her? / wish /
could say as much. / should be proud
to claim her tor friend.'
You have been the kindest friend
to her for two years." said Hester, in a
low tone. "She is here beside YOU"
"You the author of Neglected
Flowers? You! And yet l might
have Guessed it? Let me congratulate
you. You are making sensation in all
the fashionable world, and people are
very curious about the hidden genius. :"
"Come, Mr.. Holmes, you are too
kind; your fattery makes me blush"
No fattery. l ought to thank
you too, for being so kind as to con-
tinue to copy my stupid papers, when
you are of course, much better paid
for these gems"
"Paid! never received cent for
them. They would come into my mind
while my hand travelled over your pa
pers, and l wrote them down. One
day / ventured to send one to the edi-
tor Of the paper you hold in your hand.
| told him neither my name nor ad-
dress. The next day l saw myself in
print, since then / have sent many
more, but, as he never saw me nor
heard my name, of course he never
paid me for them. They cost me
nothing but few hours of time, and /
never fancied or flattered myself that
they were worth anything"
"This explains why c. was so
mysterious when l inquired Of him
who Lola was. Have you any more ?''
ooh, yes, many"
May 1 see them? A portfolio was
taken from table drawer, and Mr.:
Holmes coolly placed it under his arm.
"May l do what | please with them p
he asked. a
Certainly"
Good evening, then; am going
to spend the evening with Lola"
Weeks passed away, and Hester
heard nothing from Mr.. Holmes. The
boy still brought the law papers, and
she still continued to devote some hours
each day to her more congenial writing
and studies. k---
One evening she was seated at the
piano, singing to Mr.. Hopkins, who,
half asleep, listened to the pure, fresh
voice pouring forth his favcrite ballads,
when Mr.. Holmes came in. She started
up with delight, then stood still, blush
ing at her own eagerness.
Miss Crawford" he said, gravely,
/ have called upon business. Will
you sign some papers for me, without
knowing what they are?''
I" Certainly. Am signing away all
my property?" she asked laughingly,
as she complied with his request.
/" Yes, for fair equivalent"
No more was said about the papers.
The evening passed pleasantly, with
music and conversation; and then
there came another long lapse of time
before Hester saw Mr.. Holmes. At
last, he came again. She had missed
him sorely, grieving over his silence,
and wondering whether he could be
offended with her. 1t was in the
morning that he called. Hester was at
little table in the greenhouse, arrang-
ing bouquets for large party to be
given at Mrs. Green's, when a book
was laid before her. The title, in large
gilt letters, Neglected Flowers, by
Lola" made her open it, to find all her
fugitive stories, sketches, and poetry
collected together, and tastefully en-
bellished with engravings.
You are surprised" said we'll
known voice, shut trust not offended" !"
Offended! Oh, Mr.. Holmes, this
is your work! How kind, how very
kind you are -
90 Not at all. / am, to-day, the bearer
of many commissions-the book, the
contract You signed last month, and
five hundred dollars fromthe publisher. -
"Five hundred dollars %
yes here it is in gold, rs you see.
You must give up law, Miss Crawford,
and practice literature; but''-and his
voice was lowered" when you forsake
the law, may | hope you will not forget
the lawyerr'
She stood silent, nervously lingering
the bag of money on the table, while
the hot blood mantled over the cheek
and brow. "A look of proud JOY came
into Taurence Holmes, eves