The Potter journal. [volume] (Coudersport, Pa.) 1857-1872, 1860-03-01

do I" And jeans keen glance seemed
trying to read mine.
A waiting maid? ? Heaven forbid !"
calculated, as vision Of that naughty
lady and her three wild sons swept thro'
my mind.
rose, paced the room in silence for a
little time, then took asaddeli resolution,
and, turning TO the bed, exclaimed
Jean, I will adopt Efhe. | am old
enough to be her father; and she shall
never feel the want Of one, if you will
give her to my care
70 my surprise, jeans eager face wore
a look Of disappointment as she listened,
and with sigh replied
That's kind thought, Sir, and gen
erous one; but it cannot be as you wish.
You may b. twice her age, but still too
young for that. How could Efie look in
to that face Of yours, so bonnie, Sir, for
all it is SO grave, and, seeing never wrn-
kIe on the forehead, nor white hair among
the black, how could she call you father
No, it will not do, though so kindly meant
Your friends would laugh at you, Sir, and
idle tongues might speak i'll of my barn"
"Tbcn what can do, Jean ?" | asked,
IregretfulIy
d" Make her your wife, Sir"
turned sharply and stared at the wo-
nian, as her abrupt reply reached my ear.
Though trembling for the consequences
of her boldly spoken wish, jean did not
shrink from my astonished gaze; and
when | saw the wistfulness OF that wan
face, thc smile died on my lips, checked
by the tender courage which had prompt
ed the utterance Of her dying hope
My good Jean, you forget that Eflie
is a child, and [ moody, solitary man,
with no gifts to win a wife or make
home happy"
"Edio is sixteen, Sir,-a fair, good las
sic for her years and you--ah, Sir, you
may call yourself unfit for wife and home,
but the poorest, saddest creature in this
place knows that the man whose hand is
always open, whose heart is always pitt
ful,9-s not the one to live alone, but to win
and to deserve happy home and true
wife. Oh, Sir, forgive me, if have been
too bold but my time is short, and love
my child so well, cannot leave the de-
sire Of nay heart upspoken, for it is my
last"
As the words fell brokcnly from her
lips, and tears streamed down her pall;d
cheek, great pity took possession of me,
the olu longing to find some solace for
my solitary life returned again, and peace
seemed to smile on me from little Efhes
eyes.
lean" said, give me till to-mor-
row to consider this new thought. | fear
it cannot be; but | have learned 10 love
the child too we'll to see her thrust out
from the shelter Of your home to walk
through this evil world alone. will con
slider your proposal, and endeavor to de
wise some future for the child which shall
set your heart at rest. But before YOU
urge this further. let mo tell you that
am not what you think me- | am cold,
selfish man, often gloomy, often stcrn,-
most unfit guardian for tender creature
like this little girl The deeds Of mine
which you call kind are not true charities
1t fretS me t. see pain. and | desire nay
ease above all earthly things Yoa are
grateful for the little have done for you,
and deceive yourself regarding my true
worth but Of ore thing YOU may rest as
sured u am an honest man, who holds
his name too high. to stain it with a false
word or dishonorable deed
| do believe you, Sir" Jean answer
ed eagerly. And if | left the child to
you, | could die this night in peace. IT,
deed. Sir, never should have dared to
speak of this, but for the belief that you
loved the girl. What else could | think,
when you came SO often and were so kind
to us Y'
81 cannot blame you, Jean ; it was my
usual forgetfulness of others which SO mis-
led you. | was tired of the world, and
came hither to find peace in solitude Eff
fe ohecrcd me with her winsome ways,
and | learned to look on her as the bithe
spirit whose artless wiles won me to for
get bitter past and regretiul present"
| paused and then added, with smile,
* But, in our wise schemes, we have over
looked one point; Eiie does notloye me,
and may dccliuo the future you desire me
to otter her"
A vivid hope lit those dim eyes, as
Jean met my smile with one far brighter,
aud joyfully replied
"She does love you, Sir; for you have
given her the greatest happiness she has
ever known. Last night she sat looking
silently into the fire there with a strange
gloom on her bonnie face, and, when |
asked what she was dreaming of, she
turned to me with look Of pain and fear,
as if dismayed at some great loss, but she
only said, ''He is going, Jean What