Cedar Falls gazette. [volume] (Cedar Falls, Iowa) 1860-1895, 1865-11-03

dozen others in the village. Was she
going to leave him so without a clue?
II am Mary Gardner" she said sim.
ply. Good night" ...... .....s
And the door closed upon her,
:. Harry Bultinch had a day to spend in
Ashcroft; and, after transacting his
business, he called in the evening at the
cottage of the Widow Gardner.
Mary Gardner opened the door. This
was the child he had sheltered from the
storm last night. A child after all. She
could be hardly seventeen, yet there was
about her graceful womanliness that
contradicted the child. She wore dress
of some neutral tint, soft and restful to
the eye, with single spot of vivid crim-
son velvet fastening the cellar Of snowy
linen at the throat. The hair-lustrous,
purple black-was gathered back in
heavy loops. A dark, oval face, sensi-
tive lips, chin too delicate for dimples,
and eyes that fairly took his breath
large, luminous, dark, the very eyes that
weeks ago had looked such comfort on
him from the street. He recognized
them instantly. ....
And she? For one moment he fancied
that it was flush of surprise that deep
ened the rose pink on her cheek to yer.
million. He almost thought the recog-
milton mutual. But her welcome, tho
cordial, was sc demurely dignified, that
he dismissed the fancy.
The room was simply furnished. warm
and homelike. On the bed, in an inner
room, the invalid mother lay asleep. So
they sat down by the work table, and
conversed in subdued tones while Mary
went on with her sewing.
The kitten purred on the hearth. The
fire cracked aud blazed. Harry played
with the balls in Mary's work basket.
He had enjoyed nothing so cosy and do
mestic for many day.
Mary talked like herself, but she was
u capital listener, lifting those great,
soft eyes, now and then, full of intclli-
gent sympathy, and throwing back lit
tie quick responses. And Harry grew
brilliant. He was surprised at himself.
Alice Brent, with her msddening, ma
genta cheeks, and tdpis idzui eyes, had
not inspired him like this quiet girl,
with her faint, wavcring bushes, and
rare replies. When he took his leave,
he said:
have quite little journey before
me-a six weeks trip Mt least: and
shall stop in Ashcroft on my return. |
hope to find your mother much better.
Good-by."
That was all.
1t was two months before he came
back. ".n. .. .e
Once more the train came into Ash.
croft late at night. As Harry Bul.incl
went down the street, he iDvoluntarIy
peered into the darkness for the child.
ish figure that had preceded him be.
fore. Once he caught the flutter of q
! woman's garment, and Ii set his heart
to beating. He smiled at his own en-.
gerness As he approached the cottage
his pace .slackened. 1t was a late hour
to cali. But the windows were lighted
and hc could see = woman $ figure NOV.
ing to and fro. He raped at the door
A middle-aged woman, a stranger, open
ed it. Had he mistaken the house?
He inquired for Mrs. Gardner.
Mrs. Gardner? Poor soul she dict
q month ago"
And her daughter?
Mary had gone back tc the city where
she worked before. That was the ex,
/ tent of the woman's information.
He turned away bitterly disappointed
He had not known before with wha
eagerness he had been looking forwar,
to this meeting. Nevertheless she wa
in the city and he would find her.
With this thought he consolcd him
self as he could. He returned to TN
city, but for weeks his search prove,
unavailing.
i But one day he had an advertisement
to insert in one Of tho weekly papers.
He had finished his business with TIN
editor, and was passing through tn
i press-rOom. His eyes ran along the row
of typc-sctters of both sexes who wer,
busy ut work, and was arrested sudden
Iy by figure bending over form" n
the farther end Of the room. His hear
gave n sudden throb. There was M
mistaking the contour of that perfect
head and face. He moved toward tn,
window where she stood, and paused al
II little distance, watching her swift
fingers at work and studying her face
How pale and patient it was! How
tired she lpokedl Was she psi8? II,
had thought SO q moment since; but
| warm glow had stolen into her cheeks
She raised her head quickly turned ant
saw him.
He stepped forward with an impetu
Gus movement.
81 have found you at last. Why di,
you leave no message for me?"
| His tone was subdued; the question
II rcproach.
She drew q long sigh, and held on,
two little typc-stained hands to be taken
into his. .s....a
~ don't Know. / am glad to be
found" l.-...... ..... = '......
$50 you were in love with Alice
Brent, and she rejected you?"
| Harry threw his arm across Mary's
lap and looked up into her faee. H.
was on e liassock at her feet.
Actually rejected fine fellow like
me. Curious, wasn't it?n
. 1t must have been that your eyes
were too blue, and your hair was toe
| brown"
And Mary ran her fingers through
the locks of tawny gold.
And that was only three month
ago. was in love, too, three months
ago."
The blue eyes flashed up quick and
| questioning.
"You?n ......-....
al"
The young man suddenly withdrew
! his arm and sat up very straight.
:" Yes" Mary went-on With mis-
chievous smile lurking about hcl
mouth. was in love with a young
Y