The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1864-08-12
pearing to notice them, Judge Harding gave
the bell hasty pull.

the bell hasty pull.
"sIargery." he said, as that individual en-
tered, "thls little girl is the child OF Richard
Dugald. Iplace her for the present under your
care. See that she has everything that she
needs, but do not let her come within my sight
or hearing"
Margery cast look Of pity and tenderness
upon the child, who, attracted by her kind,
motherly face, sprang eagerly to the hand she
held out to her, and then with respectful
courtesy to the Judge. she led her from the
room.
Weeks came and went. Little Estelle grew
Jearer every day to the faithful old nurse. who
had tended her mother in her erhelpless infancy.
She obeyed her masters injunctions, though
many were her inward murmurs ut what she
termed his unnatural treatment Of the child OF
his only daughter. This was not difficult for
the house was large. and there were some por-
tions of It that the Judge never entered. Some.
times. indeed, he heard the patter of little feet
along tho corridor that led to some remote
apartment, or sweet, birdlike voice, which
fell upon his heart like strain of half forgot
ten music, but that was all.
Perhaps Judge Harding's heart might have
softened toward his grankchild had she come to
him In any other way If the daughter he had
once idolized had expressed any wish that he
should take charge OF her. But to have her
thrust upon him by the woman whose artful
maneuvres had made his home SO desolate,
stecled his heart against her.
She was q pretty, sweet tempered child with
grave, quiet ways, and intelligent beyond her
years
"Whcn Is grandpa's birthday, nursef' she
suddenly inquired, one day, nearly two months
after her arrival.
"Lct me sec," replied Margery, her countc-
nance assuming a contemplative expression:
at is the seventh of this month-and de-
clare II this isn't the day. I remember It well,
for 1t was also the birthday of my poor young
mistress, your dear mamma. She would have
been twenty-four years old to-day II she had
lived. Alack, alack, 1t seems only yesterday
that held her in my arms"
Here tho faithful creature wiped away
tear.
"wcll, If II is his birthday, must go and
give him this, resumed Estelle, taking small
package from the pocket of her dress. Where
Is he in the libraryf"
"Yes. But what ore you thinking Of child p
calculated Margery, regarding her young
charge with look OF famazement. You must
not go in there; Judge Harding will be very
angry"
'I shall be sorry to make him angry, nurse"
returned Estelle, with childish dignity quite
in keeping with the little serious face; but l
promised my dear, dead mamma tha. would,
and must do II.
Old Margery looked after her with an cx-
preston Of astonishment not uumingled with
admiration, as she left the room.
"She's harding-one can see that plainly"
she muttered, rs she resumed her knitting
''The old Judge may shut her out from his
heart, but he can't deny but what she's his own
fcsh and blood"
Estclle paused a moment at the door which
she had never before dared to approach, and
then, as IL summoning all her resolution, softly
turned the burnish knob and glided in.
Judge Harding sat in his easy chair, the
very picture of dignifcd ease. Looking only
upon his surroundings, one would have called
him happy and fortunate man /; yet many
wayfarer. breasting the fury Of the rude March
wind, his heart warm with thoughts of the dear
ones awaiting his return was far happier thar
the lonely and childish old man.
His face was partially turned from the door.
and SO softly did these little feet fall upon the
carpet, that she had nearly reached his knee
before he observed her. In spite of all his self
command, he started as his eyes fell upon that
sweet face.
AS for Estelle her courage failed her as she
met that stern inquirng look.
ell beg your pardon" she faltercd on.
~ came in to give you this. Mamma bade me
give II to you on your birthday, and / could
not disobey her.
Judge Harding mechanically took the pack
age from her hand, and, with an evident sigh
of relief, she turned to leave the room.
"stay," child nterposed the Judge, "thcrc
Is no hurry. Sit down."
Estelle quietly seated herself upon the velvet
covered ottoman to which he pointed, and
Judge Harding proceeded to open the package.
1t contained nothing but q gold locket, he
well remembered placing around his daughters
neck on a happy birthday long ago his birth.
day aud hers, whom he had once termed his
''birthday gif." he touched the spring, and II
few open. It was his own likeness taken in q
sitting position. Beside his chair stood lit
tie girl about six. One small hand trustfully
in his the other rested upon his shoulder, while
the softly smiling eyes were lifted to his face
with look of child-like confidence and love.
The warm tide Of awakened tenderness that
swept over him melted every vestige of the ice
that had gathered around his heart. Conscience
began to make itself heard. In regard to their
unhappy estrangcment had not hc been most
to blame, Did not he indulge her in every idle
whim. until her viii grew strong and mperious.
and then curb her suddenly and harshlyl He
dealt more gently with her. would she have
taken step that had wrought them both such
bitter woei
As he raised his eyes they fell upon tho little
form that was sitting where she used to sit 90
many years ago. What marvellous rcsem-
blance II seemed almost to him that 1t must
be her very self.
All. well did that dying mother know that
nothing she could write would soften that stern
heart like this mute remembrance Of what she