Marshall County Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1856-1878, 1867-09-05
told her of the fiddlers death, and of


Bertie.''
Then she put both hands upon my
shoulders. You haven't fretted have
your" she asked.
''Fretted?" asked, "why?"
''Nay, why indeed:" said Old Betty
"Better fish in the sea than ever were
caught yet" Then in moment more sht
added: I've been TO see the wedding
felt my face flush. 'Shall l bring The
girl tomorrow, after her grandfather's fu
neral?" | asked.
"When You please said Betty. "Bu
Master Berthe, what are you going 10 dC
with her? You are doing al this in ,
hurry Just think a Bit
Il mean to adopt the child" said. II
will make me happy to have young
thing to care for"
Betty laughed. "You will have young
things of your own. please God, some day,
said she. Why at your age life is before
you"
Il shall never marry, Betty,I said.
She caught my fingers in close clasp
with her bony, hard working hand:
! Il wish you was back again n baby on
my knee, Master Berthe" she said; aid like
to sing you to sleep as did then. All
| its a grief TO us old women 10 see the
young we have nursed, grow up go tall and
old, with the troubles so shut up in their
own hearts that we can't comfort them.
Going? Well. then good night! I'm ready
for anything that will cheer YOU. Master
! Berthe. ] ought to say Master Albert now,
| suppose; but the old times 90 come back
So"
left her leaning over the gate looking
wistfully after me. knowing rs mother
might, the grief which | had buried in my
heart. And if her own words had given
me pang, it was like some ointment
which makes wound smart in its very
healing. 1t was some thing to be loved
so, even by my old nurse.
Late the next day led my young charge
from her grandiather's grave 10 BetIy'S cot
tagc. She kept my land upon the ROAD
as little child might. had no thought
but that she was one, until old Beity's cry
of Goodness. Master Berthe, / thought
YOU said a young child! Why. THIS is q
grown girl startled me into conscious
ness.
at doesn't matter, does It Betly?@ 1 ask
ed her. She turned TO the girl.
"Take OF your bonnet she ssid, lit
tie grimly, Il want TO take look ut you.
What is your namc:'
The girl obeycd. I'm only Nellie Hay
she said, and stood to be looked at.
Betty looked sternly at first tlcn plying
IS.
''La, no. Master Berii:, it don't matter
She said; II don't sec any harm in her.
There's peg behind the door. chiid.
You can hang your bonnet on that" And
left the two together.
Not long. though: every day found some
new GRAND TO take me TO the cottage
put on elderly airs and gave good advice.
sent her to school and went through
grave examinations on Sunday afternoons.
told Betty that when | WAS man OF
middle age ] should take my little daugh-
ter home, and she should keep house for
us. And began to fancy very soon that
there cOull be no such happiness as that
parent fc.t The girl was growing tall,
it is true, and was only ten years older
than she WAS: bat when she checked her
light track to keep pace with ne, when
the childish laugh bubbled end rippled at
something which could only make ma
smile, felt that years arc MT the only
thing which age us
/ was working hard at my profession
too. had heart and hands full. In a
year l found Icould pass Alletia, on her
husbands arm, without a pang. In an
other year more l wondered whether she
had really changed, or whelhcr lancied
black curlS more than did golden bands,
for found myself thinking my little daugh-
ter much the pretliest.
In the sultry evenings I used 10 leave
red tape and parchmcnts and go out 20
Betty's cottage and have tea with her and
my adopted child. Then. while she pol
ishcd up the cups, Nellie Hay ard l used
to walk down TO the river side. Tall a.,
she was growing. | had way of holding
her hand still; and we had such pleasant
talks. Such odd, unworidly chatter.
Those walks and simple tea drinkings
rested the brain. wearied with law bust
ness. quarrcls and gibbles, and strategems
more than can tell.
The rough hands had grown softer now
the waist taper, the bust full. The sweep
of womans robes, the tread of wOman's
lightly shod feet had taken the place of
dumping leather boots and scant cotton
skirts.
knew this, but Nellie was child to
me all the same. Was not by adoption
her father? Ofcourse she would always
be young to me; and why felt so angry
il by chance some gay young farmer chat
ted with her over the fence, or some
ncighbor saw her home from church, |
could not tell. ''An old mans temper /
suppose" said and sighed like young
one.
| So three years passed. At the end OF
that time Alettas husband died. They
had quarrelled, and she had made him
woefully jealous, it was ssid and all his
property save a mere pittance was wilietl
| toa stranger.
One day lady in black walked into my
office, and when she lifted her veil saw
Alletta Stanton face closer TO me than il
had been since we parted. My heart gave
no wild throb; felt as though were a
mere stranger.
Courleously ard quite calmly / heard
her business. She intended to contest the
viii, and needed advice. gave her what
| could, and referred her to a brother law
yer as the one who would best espouse hei
cause. As for myself told her truly that
my time was too completely occupied tc
undertake anything more, and wished hel
| success.
She looked at me wistfully, with hel
great blue eyes full of tears, as she arose to
go:
at was cruel of him." she said, ''yery
cruel to leave me so poor; but he was ney-
er kind, never-not in the honeymoon
even"
IL regret TO hear it, | said.
81 could expect dothing MORE" she said
~ did not love hini--I never loved but
one, and that one
She paused and looked at me.
THAT one l love still" she said.
And heaven knows no feeling ofrevcnge
or petty triumph was in my heart when
looked at Alletta Stanton's eyes as il l did
not understand her, and courteously bow
ed her out.
"Did | ever care for that woman ]
thought, cor is il a DREAM
/ took my adopted child to the theatre
that night, and we saw the LADY of Ly-
ons'' together. 1t was her first play going
experience, and she enjoyed it immensely.
She wore white dress and bonnet and
the coral drops had fastened few days
before in her little ears. i was very PROUD