The Ashland union. [volume] (Ashland, Ashland County, Ohio) 1854-1868, 1859-01-19

knew of science, often perfectly oripinall-
then he began to think: not that Alice ha
any peculiar merit: but that he had got int
remarkably good lodgings; his restlessnes
wore away, and began to consider himself q
almost settled for life in them.
Mr.. Openshaw had been TOO busy, all hi
life, to be introspective. He did not know tha
he had any tenderness in his nature and
he had become concious of its abstract exist
ence, he would have considered it as NANTES
tatlon of disease in some part of his nature
But ne was decoyed INTO pity unawares; an
pity led him on to teaderness. That little
helpless child-alwa5s $ carried about by one @
the three busy women of the house, or els
patiently threading colpred beads in the chai
from which, by no, effbrt of its own, could
ever move; the great, grave blue eyes, full 0
serious, not uncheerful expression, giving t.
the small, delicate face look beyond its years
the soft, plaintiyc voice, dropping oct but fey
words, so unlike the continual prattle of
child-caught Mr. Openshaw's attention il
spite of himself One day-he half scornet
himself for doing so-he cut short his Dime
hour to go in search of some toy which shoul(
take the place of those eternal beads. I for
get what he bought; but, when he gave thC
present (Which he took care to do in short
abrupt manner, and when no one was by to SCI
him) he was almost thrilled by the flash of de
light which came over Ahat child's face, anc
could not help all through that afternoon going
over and over again the picture left on his
memory, by the bright effect of unexpected
Joy on the little girls face. When he return
ed home, he found his slippers placed by his
sitting room Grr; and even more careful atten-
ton paid to his fancies than was habitual in
those model lodgings. When Alice had taken
the last Of his tea things away-she had been
silent'as usual till then--she stood for an in
slant with the door in her hand Mr.. Open
shaw looked as if he were deep in his book,
though in fact he did not see line; but was
heartily wishing the woman would be gone, and
not make any palaver of gratitude. But she
only said:
"I am very much obliged to you, Sir
Thank you very much," and was gone, even
before he could send her away with a ''There,
my good woman that's enoughv'
For some time longer he took no apparent
notice of the child. He even hardened his
heart into disregarding her suden flush of color
and little timid smile of recognition; when he
saw her by chance. But, after all, this could
not last forever; and, having a second time
given way to tenderness, there was no relapse
The insidious enemy having thus entered his
heart, in the guise Of compassion to the child.
soon assumed the more dangerous form of in
terest in the mother. He was aware of this
change of feeling, despised himself for it,
struggled with it; nay Internally yielded to it
and cherished it, long before he suffered the
slightest expression of it, by word, action, OF
fook, To escape him lie watched Alice's do
cile, obedient ways te her step-Inother; the love
which she had inspired in the rough Norah,
(roughened by the wear and tear of sorrow and
years;) but above all, he saw the wild, deep,
passionate affection existing between her and
her child. They spoke little to any one else,
or when any one else was by; but, when alone
together they talked, and murmured, and cooed
and chartered so continually that Mr. Open
shaw first wondered what they could find to say
to each other, and next became irritated be
cause they were always so grave and silent with
him. All this time, he was perpetually devi-
sing small new pleasures for the child. His
thoughts ran in pertinacious way, upon the
lesolate life before her; and often he came
back from his days work loaded with the very
hing Alice had been longing for, but had not
been able to procure. One time it was little
chair for drawing the little sufferer along the
streets, and many an evening that ensuing sum-
ner Mr. Openshaw drew her along himself,
of the remarks of his acquantances.
Jnc day in autumn he pat down his newspa-
Der as Alice came in with the breakfast and
ard, IN as Indifferent voice as he could as
ume:
mrs. FRANK, is there any reason why we
wo should not put our horses together ?''
Alice stood still in perplexed wonder. What
lid he mean? He had resumed the reading
# his newspaper, as if he did not expect any
nsweT; so she found silence her S; fest course,
nd went on quietly arranging his breakfast
Without another word passing between them.
lust as he was leaving the house, to go to the
as usual, he turned back and put
lis head into the bright, neat, tidy kitchen,
There all the women breakfasted in the morn
ng:
'.You'll think of what I said, Mrs Frank
this was her name with the lodgers,) 'Eand let |
ne have your opinion upon it tonight"
Alice was thankful that her mother and No
ah were too busy talking together to attend
luch to this speech. She determined not to
hink about it at all through the day; and, of
curse, the effort not to think, made her think
IL the more. At night she sept up Norah
18th his tea. But Mr.. Openshaw almost
nocked Norah down as she was going out at
ne door, by pushing past her and calling out
Mrs. Frank p in an impatient voice, at the
op of the stairs. ..
Alice went up, rather than seem to have af-
xed too much meaning to his words
"Well, Mrs. Frank" he said s'what answer?
)on't make it too long; for have lots of office
ork to get through tonight
II hardly know what you meant, Sir" said |
ruthful Alice.
"Well! I should have thought you might
ave guessed. You're not new at this sort of
-ork, and am. However, I'll make it plain
MS time. Will you have me to be thy welded |
usband, and serve me, and love me, and
onor me, and all that sort of thing? Be-
ause, if you will, 1 will do as much by you,
nd be father to your child-and that's more
han is put in the prayer book. Now I'm a
ian of my word and what I say, feel; and
hat promise, I'll do. Now, for your an
wer p'
Alice was silent. He began to make the
ca, as if her reply was matter of perfect in
ifierence to him; but, as soon as that was
one, he became impatient.
"Well?" said he. aaa4 --a-z4 "a
''Hsw long, sir, may 1 have tothink overit?"
z: ..f:.Three minutes" Cooking at his 'watch).
You've had two already-that makes five
'e sensible woman, say Y es, and sit down to
"a with me, and wen talk it over together;
Or, after tea, j shall be busy; say No" Che
fed roop,opt N trx opd Eoa,, HE voica