North Branch democrat. [volume] (Tunkhannock, Pa.) 1854-1867, 1866-12-19

As said that hated myself for asking
it. | know if had been right (as some
would say, commonly honest") | should
have declined to hear anything Lydia wo'd
not tell me. Like good child | should
have said, "Thauk you, must not listen.
He would not like it ;" but "misere = as a
French friend Of mine used to exclaim, l
am one Of Ewes true daughters, and the
temptation was irresistible. | yielded to
curiosity.
swell, yes" said Mrs. John. "for the
world is not charitable Of course WE
know the truth, and we don't really con-
condemn him. But he takes 1t to heart
(perhaps to conscience, and that is as bad, J
though it may be shadow after ALL 1t may
be
Mrs. John emphasized the last three
words, and her straight lips again made a
spending line to the faint straight eye
brows that met over her nose, and disap.
peared behind the set curls arranged on
either side of her face.
:" 1t is pity he should mind shadow
l Ispoke awkwardly, conscious oftrespass-
ing on forbidden subject.
Mrs. John looked up at me. 81 thought
all the world knew lis history" she said !;
quite romantic it is, and sad. You know
lie was surgeon. Before his father had
this property left him by his broth, T, the
boys were brought up to professions. My
husband to the church, to take this living.
George chose TO be surgeon, so he be-
came one; and clever, too, believe, very
clever. Well, he had good expectations,
Sd was in good deal OF society; and in
the course of his practice met a young lady
whom he liked; in fact, fell in love with.
l supposed she returned the affection, for
they were engaged (this was before i was
married.) Well, Miss Chester, Colonel
Chesters daughter, was rlch at least, her
father was rich !; the estates were left by
will in this way: if Colonel Chester died
without boys, but leaving a daughter, that
daughter might inherit; but if there was
son, ali landed property was to 60 to the
son, however young; and OILY some dow
er to be paid to Miss Chester. An un-
lucky kind of arrangement, wasn't it?--
Well, Colonel Chester hid but this one
daughter III he married again; then he
had one son. Vel, tha: child was born
after George was engaged to Miss Ches::@r
and when it was year, or perhaps cigh-
teen months old, it become ill--some child
ish illness, and--the child died.
! echoed Mrs Johns inteUection, ,"wcl?"
Vel! dou't you see. George had
- =,
had never been favorite with the Colo
mel, and he became suspicious, and had his
prescriptions looked at and the matter
Judged by other physicians; Tor Colonel
Chester was An old man, aud mad at losing
the child. They said 1t was right enough,
quite right, medical men always hang to-
gether. YOU know, but the child had not
died of any acute disease it had died of
An overdose of medicine. 1t was, of course
the chemists fault, but--you see how it
stands awkward for poor George"
He could not help IT." said l.
"My dear, he was there three times
day to see the child (and Miss Chcster,)
and the child died; the little child died.
The world is not aharitable ~
"Nor are yon," thought | A.; but | only
said, "And Mss Chester"
Her father told George what he sus-
pectcd of him. He, of course, gave her
up on the spot l don't know what be-
came of her. George will never marry,
but he wanders about like
ghost, and po pity him. 1t was temp
tation for young man without MEANS
He had not succeeded to The Meadows
then, you know. 1t was great tempta.
lion"
"a little child" said I.
Mrs. John seemed surprised and half
alarmed ct the distress could not help
feeling, probably betraying, SO injuitifca-
ton of herself, she added at was awk-
ward for him, very, and people mill Judge
aud, my dear, the fact remains, whether it
was the chemist or not" SAID Mrs. John,
before taking up her baby from the sofa
where it had been Sleeping. "The fact re-
MAINS" said Mrs. John, stroking baby's
ruddy check and fat arm, ''though babies
live through good deal, this little child
died :"
VIZ Suduo"S ICiL dCiOoo tuO "'uu'"s
Mrs. John had turned to take her baby 10
the nursery, and did not observe them till
she was Just leaving the room. Then she
said, Talk of an angel, and you are sure to
see its wings p She stood in the doorway
a moment, and nodded and smiled before
closing the door aud retiring, Her hus
baud entered the room by the window that
opened to tie lawn After him came an
other gentleman. looked up, and recog
nized the mysterious gentleman of the con
cert, the ball, and the picnic.
"Ah Miss Christensen p said Mr.. John;
'let me introduce you to my brother George
This young lady is at your house, George,
with your mother"
Mr.. Murray bowed, and his color chang
ed as he watched me collect my work and
materials, and prepare to leave the room,
"Pray, don't let ne frightsn you away,
he said. Il shall be home soon.'
They were such commonplace as,bnt
o.; .,son,ab and u-aa o,lod when