Delaware gazette. [volume] (Delaware, Ohio) 1855-1886, 1864-06-24

ever upon me-the mere fact OF his relation
ship is nothing. Of course l am very sorry
he is sick, b1t 1 do not consider myself iusti-
fed in exposing my health on such day as
this, 10 say nothing of the risk one runs oi
contagiou, merely for sick mans whim."
Kitty Eswick had risen and come forward
as Mrs. Sinclair spoke-she was watching her
aunt with blue dilated eyes, ard cheeks where
on single spot OF rose burned vividly.
"You might send him a dollar, mamma. y
whispered Josepha.
My dear, you do not consider" said her
mother. Chow do know but that this is
concerted plan of imposture? And even if ii
were not, this man is nothing to me! WHY
should interfere? I dare say this little bo,
can obtain assistance by applying TO the prop
er authorities. By the way, he has nearly
ruined that embroidered chair with his wei
sleeve"
You will not go with this poor boy, Aunt
Sinclair p asked Kitty, laying her hand soft
ly on his damp brown curls
by no means, my dear"
"Then will. Bridget, bring down nv bon
| net and cloak, please"
kitty, are you demeuted ?" cried Mrs. Sim
clair and Josepha in breath
Mo- am only human. Mr. Merlin is our
cousin-moreover, he is dying and in want
Thank you, Bridget. Come, little one"
She took the chilled hand gently in hers,
and turned away. Mrs, Sinclair's face became
like adamant.
kitty Eswick, you shall not gow
81 shall goP
The soft, low accents-it was passing
strange how much Of iron aoiH thrilled through
their tones!
Remember, then, that you will not return
to the house"
Kitty's eyes flashed back naughty banner
OF defiance, but she spoke never word, and
the next moment she was breasting the storm
without, still holding to the boys hand
"Poor child-poor little trembling thing }"
she murmured renderIy, ever and anon, as bis
dark, Wlstful eyes sought hers, fall of unsylIa-
Died thanks
1t was not pleasant place for feet that
had been used to the messy pile of velvet car
pets-not pleasant place for eyes that haG
rested so lately on pictured flowers and walls
staiEed with the rose-tint OF Italian sunset
A sloping ceiling, stained with discoored spots
from which the rain dripped, like slow tears;
freless CRATE; window whose murky panes
admitted dreary halElight, and, most dismal
and ghastly OF all, dying man, whose pinched
features already bore the solemn seal of death
No wonder that Kitty Eswick's heart stood
still within her as she crossed the threshold.
The child bounded forward ard threw his
arms around the PROSTATE form.
"She has come, graDdfa ther-she has come,
and we stopped and paid the doctor, and he's
TO be here in five minutes, and there's some
wine, and-oh, why don't you speak to me?"
Through the mists that grew thicker and
thicker across bis dim eyes, the dying man
looked up with Vague wandering vision.
MARY Sinclair, have thought to die as l
have lived-alone. But cannot leave this
little one to battle in solitude with the world.
He has neither father nor mother-wiIl you
take him? Or must die with this great an
guish of uncertainty upon ing mind?"
Kitty was trembling violently. She thought
of her straitened home-of tie slender means
which scarcely Sufieed for the necessaries Of
e-of the poor young clergyman to whom she
was betrOthed. Then, like a fash, the remem-
brance shot acr oss her mind of the last sermon
she had heard him preach, and its text: He
that giUeth to The poor lendelh to the Lord"
Il shall take the child" she said, in soft
siver-clear tones. "He shall be to roe as my
own"
A light seemed to draw on the punched
fealures-a light of rest and perfect peace F.!
The hands wandered leebly-rhe eye seemed to
seek some wished for object through gather
ing shadows.
"Grandpaps!' walled the child, starting up
in sudden terror; :" grandpapa speak to Inc p
But no chiId-vOice could follow him into the
confines of the world whittier he was going
no earthly sound could penetrate the shoreless
tides of the dark river. Slowly the light died
out from the hollow eyes slowly the ash
en- shadows crept athwart the shrunken face !;
and the rain tapping ceaseessly at the win
dowpanes seemed to repeat the one awful
monOsvllable. "Dead dead !"