Charles City intelligencer. [volume] (Charles City, Floyd County, Iowa) 1864-1866, 1865-04-06

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fingers with the shining needles. Very
sweet she looked, as she sat there il
her pale blue silk, fitting closely the
graceful form, and relieved by light
trimming of black lace below the
waist. The white neck was bare, or
namented solely with a necklace oil
hair, from the centre of which glowet
little ruby heart. The sleeves fall
ing just below the elbow, displayed a
round, fair arm, but no jewels flashed
from them or sparkled upon her fin,
gers. Her toilette for her first party
was as odd as it was beautiful, and
perhaps would have become no other
in the world as it did Lillian. The
style Of her hair, rolled away from the
forehead, and gathered into mass at
the back of her head, added dignity
to her girlish face which enchanted its
pure loveliness.
Mrs. Moore slipped her tea for a mo-
ment silently, then began in a subdu-
ed tone
Brother Hueston, this little girl of
ours insists upon story, and ! have
consented to crafty her on this impor-
tant night, but it must be brief. As
voG nave often asked me questions on
the same subject, and | have never
answered them fully for my own rea-
SONS, am now willing to let you
share with Lillian what may have to
tell her"
Father Houston smiled beamingly,
and prepared to listen, slipping his tea
IN luxurious way. Lillian's fingers
piled the bright needles more deftly,
and grandmother settling herself to
her sofa and tea, began.
1t was a clear, beautiful night in
early summer, eighteen years ago, as
was sitting here with the moonlight
streaming across the floor, thinking
sadly of the husband Just laid away
under the willows in the church-yard,
ring came from the door-bell.
thought it some child, the peal was so
gentle and timid, and as | had given
my servant leave to go out for a little
while, went myself to see what was
wanted ..... y.
On first opening the door was a
little bcwildered, for there appeared
to be nothing there but the next mo-
ment, dropping my eyes, | saw the
strangest sight ever witnessed. The
moon was at its full, and its light Law
IN broad silvery flood all over the
earth. Near the door stood a tree,
and the shadow of this tree fell upon
the steps, the moonlight filtered
through the green leaves, dancing and
shlmmering with light breeze. There
upon the steps, in a large basket, lay
an infant of perhaps three months old,
Its great eyes wide open, and little
pair Of fat, dimpled hands catching at
the tiickering shadow, cooling now and
then IN happy unconsciUusness of its
strange and pitiful condition"
Here Father Hucston paused with
smile OF delight OH his face, his cup
suspended between the table and his
lips, while the other hand was uprais-
ed in wonder.
"A baby, sister. A little baby in
paSket on the steps
" Yes, indeed, beautiful baby ~
and grandmother's eyes turned from
Father Hueston's face to Lillian, who
sat with suspended breath, her knit
ting lying III her lap, over which her
hands were folded, the ball having fall
EN- TO her feet unheeded. Mrs. Moore's
eyes grew humid as she continued
" / stopped over the little thing, and
she turned her fair face to me with the
sweetest little baby laugh you ever
heard. My heart huttered like pois-
oned bird as lifted the novel burden
and carried it into my room, where |
soon had light, and began to exam
Inc my treasure.
1.-The child was dressed in little
white robe, plain and pretty, pinned
to the bosom of which was a note,
written in a delicate but irregular
hand. When had succeeded in deci-
phering its contents, took up the lit
tie Lillian and folded her to my heart,
while tears fell fast over her sweet
face, still radiant with smiles. From
that night she has always been to Inc
the most precious thing on earth.'
And the note, grandmother
breathcd Lillian, with white lips,
|" What did it say?"
The old lady rose and unlocked q
casket, from which she took a tiny
folded paper. Handing this to Lillian,
she said huskily, Read it aloud, my
child"
The girls voice was unsteady, but
she read in tone of intense interest
:" In the wide world have no friend
to SO to in my bitter extremity. NV
father has banished me forever my
mother is in her gravc-sent there, he
says, by my ingratitude and disobedi-
ence. lie for whom have brought
all this woe upon myself, last night
ended distracted life with his own
rash hand, and am left alone with
my babe, only three months old. /
am dying, too. When to-morrow's
sun shall rise, my eyes will have clos
ed forever, but cannot take my babe
with me where | am going bring
my little Lillian to you, pleading for
pity and love for her at last, for she is
innocent and pure. How far you share
my fathers feelings toward me | can
not know, but in your loneliness and
desolation, now that one you love has
gone, oh let me pray you to take to
your heart this little comforter. Such.
pray God, she may be to you. But
let no one know whose child she is.
at least not until she has reached wo-
manhood, when she may have to act
for herself. Do not chide or blame me
Aunt Margaret, in, your heart. Ere
your eyes have seen these lines, | shall
sleep silent and deaf to spoken re-
proaches. BE a mother to my child,
and God bless you"
Father Hneston's trembling hand
was outstretched to grasp the paper
almost before Lillian's faltering ac-
cents finished the last lines then as