The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1860-03-07

doors, all bore silent witness to his vast
riches. Through half open door, you
caught peep into the large conservatory,
where the luxurious breath of acacias and
tube-roses mingled with TIE delicious per-
fume of blossoming orange trees and the
scarlet torches of glowing cactuses SEEM
ed to flame through the diamond spray Of
. sparkling fountain, whose waters fell into
q marble basin, edged round with fringe
Of star-like crimson flowers, such as only
grow on the shores of tropical streams
where the southern sunshine lights the
waves eternally. The birds, whose cages
hung in the soft bloom of lemon trees and
camelia thickets, warbled joyously-the
fountains kept up perpetual silvery
murmur-and Mrs Martillo's satin dress
rustled softly as she moved through the
rich, rare flowers; but there was one sound
that never chimed through tho marble
halls and gorgeous roons-the echo of
children's voices. The rich banker and
his lovely wife were childlsss, aud one lit
tie grave on the fowery slope of Green
wood held the lost babe they fain would
times their wealth--the little one, loved
and lost years ago.
Mrs. Martillo came through the carved
door way with bunch of white roses in
her hand, and laid them lightly on her
husbands desk. He looked up, half in
clined to say "p-shawl" fer what did he
care about flowers; but second glance
brought tear into his eye in spite of
himself.
i "Ella's favorite flowers" said he, half
aloud aud musingly. II wonder what
ever become of poor Ellai"
l "Your sister," asked Mrs. Martillo,
softly. She had seldom heard him speak
of his sister--it was q topic he sternly
avoided, and she never ventursd to allude
to it.
}, "Nonesense," said he, sharply, "shs
made her bed and she must lie on it..
, Aurelia, my love, wish you would take
those flowers away-their odor is too
powerful.
!, Mrs. Martillo silently took them away
and went down stairs for little vase.
The gentle lady loved the beautiful, imam.
innate things, in her heart.
: "Please, ma'am," said the solemn foot.
f man, meeting her in the hall--"here's q
s little girl wants to sell some ehestnuts, and
Q the housekeeper isn't good enough fol
Q her--she must sec the lady"
9 "Bring her here, then" said Mrs. Mar.
r tillo. mildly, and she held out her hand
. instinctively, as the lovely child glided in
the brown curls dropping round her face
Q and the large, hazel eyes cast timidly
# downward.
r "Will you buy my chesnuts, lady?" sale
It little Ella, holding up her basket, limo
K Gently.
d "Buy them, darling7 To be sure!" aht
|, the lady drew Ella close to her with cares
n sing fondness. The beautiful little crea
Q tu,e seemed to have entered the citadel o
It her very heart. She loved all children
It The first thought that filed her bosom
). was always, my baby might have beer
like this little child" and straight wa,
], her heart went out toward it.
Y Ella told the lady her simple story
y the sick mother-the little mossy.roofe'
.. cottsge,--the grand old woods where sh
,, gathered nuts and howers-she describe,
them ell with frankness inspired by tn
1t gentle face and soft blue eyes of Mrs
/, Martillo. And then she eonided to he
of the mission she had been intrusted will
g and showed her the tiny ring. The lad
l. hesitated for q moment. and then ros'
p taking the child's hand in her own.
to "Come. darling" said she, 1--WE will 6
n. together"
70 She led Ella up the stairs and opsne
the door of her husbands library.
q. Eugene" said she, softly, "here is
be little girl who wishes to speak to you"
10 The banker looked up from his pa2er'
I'd and then, with sudden start, put hl
ct hand to his heart, and turned very pale.
or "Ella,-it is Ellal" he gasped.
= For he saw in the rosy checked, bright
eyed girl, with her silky ringlets and th
q scarlet sweetness Of her little smilin
lie mouth, the living image Of the sister b
I'd had cast of.
Il. "Mamma told me to give you th
er ring" faltered Ella, half terrified at b
% violent emotion, as she held out tho gol
lie circlet.
He took it with trembling hand. an
90 recognized the gift of their childhood.
ey "What is your name. child?" he aske
or mildly.
rn ELLA Mayville," whispered the lits
n stranger, clinging closer to Mrs. Marti
,e. los hand.
ad He folded her to his arms with q SUI
Ter den gush Of deep tenderness-the wal
th of life time of colduess were brok,
,ss down by the sudden apparition of b
ler sister % she had once been. and tho tea
're that had not dimmed his eye lashes
nd years fell on her brown curls like rain.
w. "Aurelia," said he, solemnly, this is
81. message from Heaven. We will take Il
child to our hearts. in the place Of o
70. lost babe, and her mother shall como too
rv ,istor Ella Giva her a dauphte