Des Arc weekly citizen., 1868-03-21


 the front-cntrance gate. A travelling carriage drew up before me, and as it's
 occupant sprang out and came towards
 me, Iiwas surprised to find itawns
 Charles Meredith. We entered the
 house together, but he did not appear at the, dinner table. Mrs. Ross was
 stating how. glad she was to see him
 back again, and how pale and ill he
 looked when he entered. sipt ss
 The next day the bell was muflled, doors were opened aud closed care
 fully, and the news of Mir. Meredith's.
 dangerous illness flew from mouth to, mouth. For long time his life hung
 by a thread; but at last our good
 hostess joyfuliy told us of his sure
 recovery. A mighty load seemed to
 leave my heart, and now waited anx-
 ioasly for his re-appearance. Great
 was my, surprise and disappointment,
 then, when l heard that he had again
 left. As before, asked where he had
 gone; but Mrs. Ross did not seem to
 hear my question; and impatiently
 exclaimed to Annie Fay. who stood
 near me--~It is very strange why MT.
 Meredith thus suddenly takes his
 departure. Have you any idea of the
 time of his return?Y Iu ah alT
 ll"He willnct return Ut all, Mr. Brook
 fields for he-" .9 @iti
 ] Here Annie suddenly stopped, and l casting qaick, confused glance at my
 face, she turned away, | looked af
 ter the little sprite in surprise. aH 1 i"Why should she know anything of .Meredith's affairs ?" I thoughts ''and
 certainly she does, for sine appeared
 strangely cont0sed." # @
 The next week l packed my trunk
 and started off also, with no particular
 determination or destination in view.
 visited every studio and art gallery I
 came across, however, halfin search of Charles Meredith, and half despairing of ever seeing him again. My efforts :. Charles Meredith again. .a9' [ At last settled myself in a fine old city, offering me many inducements to , remain, Having several influential
 friends in the place, l soon found my , self in the midst of all the fashionable pleasures then at their height. Invita- tions poured in upon the successful , artist, and my time was fully occupied. As entered my studio one afternoon I found there an invitation to attend an entertainment given by Miss Helen Meredith.
 Perhaps this young beauty and
 heiress is some connection of Charles. I thought, and accepted the invitation. The lady was unknown to me by sight, but by report sue was no stran- ger. On the specified evening enter i ed the brilliant saloons, accompanied by a friend, who presented me to the f beautiful hostess. noticed that the lady turned hastily at the mention of [ my name and fairly started with surprise, for Charles Meredith himself seemed to stand before me l; only that r the sad, worn look did not rest upon his face. and amid her surroundings, | Miss Meredith seemed peerlessly love , ly. She must have noticed my long glanccs at her face, for her cheek was crimson; and merely speaking my name, she turned away. qsls, 6.s4 f was provoked at mysely for allow |, ing a mere resemblance to disturb me
 SO; and then drawn irresistably, turn |, ed to look at her again, and met her
 eyes fixed full upon me. She was,
 very pale now; and strange thrill ran over me as I once more watched f the strange resemblance to Chas. Mere s dith. s,a ,..t'.. lst.tg ,.s .i.s.,
 "Pshaw!' said to myself, ''she
 must have u brother by that name.
 That - the reason of it. l shall cer- tainly ask her. if such is the case" , During the evening l fonnd an l opportunity of doing SO; and l was assured that she had no brother.
 ''That is my sister at the piano, MT. I Brooktield," she said.l, .d sdl af Q felt rather foolish, and, to relieve v myself, told the story of my deep e interest for Charles Meredith. She ? listened politely to the end; and then, n after few comments, she requested me to return to the room which we had left. l glanced at the burning e cheeks and bright eye, and then did as
 she requested
 0 went home that night strangely happy with Miss Meredith's permis-
 sion to call again still ringing in my f ears. l did visit her again, and many Q times. At first because she reminded n me so much of the lost Charles Mere . dith; and finally, because my heart
 was in her possession. r A year flew by; and then l asked
 Helen Meredith to be my wife. She sat very quiet while l was speaking; n could not help noticing how tight her e hands were clasped together and how n graspingly came her breath. n Finally she looked full in my eyes, I and said: "Before I answer you Mir. : Brookfield, shall tell you something
 that may, perhaps, greatly change your mind"
 Q Here she stopped suddenly, and with
 great effort she continued: "ln a Q small country town, four years ago, a
 gentleman died leaving two daughters : to the care of an uncle who had one usl,t. ,,,olo mi Ina xyag L.