The Shasta courier., 1859-04-09
THE RECONCILIATION.-
a Story OF Two Proud Hearts.
CHAPTER I.

wild flowers hitting up their heads in the sun4
shine; and the green leaves rustling and way
ing in the woods, as if they were whispering se-
crets to the gentle wind that stirred them
1t was a lovely day-a day to be happy in
and yet a saddened look was visible on the sweet
face of Faith Egerton, she left the door of her
house, and went slowly down the gravel walk
that led TO the road gate.
Her home-the home of her husband and
chidren-was pretty brown stone cottage
oyerhung with vines, and surrounded by beds of
fragrant flowers. Behind the house was a level
and beautiful grove, in whose cool recesses she
had often lain a child, and watched the flick
ering light and shade come down upon the
ground for the earliest years of Faith, as well
these later ones, had been spent in this quiet
place. Here she had been born-here her kind
mother had died-here she had lived with a dear
and only brother-here she had married her
first love, and here hey children were springing
up-and here she hoped to close her dying eyes
with all the old familiar scenes smiling in beau
ty around her.
She leaned upon the little gate, and looked
wistfully up the road She was waiting there
for her best and earliest friend and tie sound of
wheels made her start, and sent a color into her
pale cheek that had long been a stranger there
A dusty stage coach came whrling up beside
the gate-stOpped long enough for lady to
gage, and dashed away again. The new conner
did not see Faith for moment, SO screened was
she by the branches of q wild rose that grew
beside the gate. The traveller lifted her veil
and exposed q broad high forehead, shaded by
silky masses of black hair, a face well featured
but grave and full of thought, and Deep dark
eyes, whose glances we're kind, and her smiles
were beautiful
How strange a contrast between these two
Il. = I.
a meek and quiet face, on whose features con-
tentment and home happiness were most plainly
stamped the other, dark and proud and self
sustained, with look that said to the most care
less observer, 4" Oh, | have suffered p To one,
life had been fair summers day, with only now
and then light and happy cloud to the other
-ah what 10 her but bleak and stormy where
she loved, withered and died And yet they
were of the same age, of the same station in
life; and side by side they had sat at school,
and played at home, in the childhood that lay
behind them.
The tears sprang unbidden to the eyes of Faith
Egerton, as she saw the steadfast look with which
her visitor regarded the scene around her. She
lifted the latch of the gate and stepped out be-
side her.
Gertrude Gertrude Alewynne won't you
speak to meY she said
Faith, dear Faith, is it your said Gertrude.
They were clasped in each others arms at
once. Faith wept bitterly, but Gertrude was
pale and calm, and smoothed the fair hair of her
friend with caressing gesture, such as one
might use to soothe little child.
Come, Faith she said at last, as if weary Of
her tears; this is but sorry welcome to give
me after so long journey. You know / never
liked to see you cry
But you are so changed, Gertrude replied
Faith.
Well, and if am? said Gertrude 1t is
some years since we met: dear Faith and they
have not been marked with rose leaves for me-
You must not expect me to be quite the same at
twenty-five as fifteen. Life changes US all, you
know
Il know answered Faith, sadly but nev-
er knew it so well till now
'Woll, 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
inattention. / will show you to your chamber
myself. 1t has been ready for you all this
week.
They went up the walk together. Two fair
haired children ran out the door to meet them.
The youngest, n boy of some two summers, held
up his little hands to Miss Alewynne with sun
ny smile. She stopped down and took him in
her arms, and walked along through the hall
with Faith
Are these your only children asked Ger
trude
Yes, and they are trouble enough for me-
replied the mother, looking at the children with
a fond smile that betrayed how little the trou-
ble' was felt
Gertrude sighed, and said brokenly. / don't
know, Faith, why every one calls me cold and
proud perhaps am. But when | take little
iunocess child in my arms, something stirs in my
heart that nothing else can touch. | might have
been better and a happier woman, Faith, if l
had married.
You know well what my favorite plan al
ways was, Gertrude. If you had only married
my brother, and this time it was Faith
sighed.
Oh, 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 no.
BILE, so generous, so handsome He is only my
half brother, you know but if he had been my
own, could not have loved him better
BY this time they had reached the room which
had been fitted up for Gertrude. Why you
have nlade a little Paradise for me- she said
with pleasant smile as she looked around the
chamber. l shall never want to leave you
Faith
. II any pains of mine viii keep you, am
content she replied.
Dotf ram, SdiU MISS -AicN lucf
her friend as she was about to leave the room ;
q never knew before that your paragon was
only half brother. Your maiden name was
Anderson; pray what was his 2
Walter Roscoe she replied. He was the
son OF my step-mother. My own mother died
when was very young
BAat was his nameF The tone was sharp
anu impatient, but the speakers face was turned
away from Faith
Walter Roscoe she repeated NV bov Is
named after him, " alter Rosco Ererton,
Inc Ieweled hand that had been plavipe with
,ne eiind ~ son eurls was drawn away as sudden
y ~ Il serpent had stung it, and Gertrude
turned white and rigid face towards her friend
as she put the boy down and pointed to the
Gertrude, what ails your Are YOU III ,, cried