Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1868-06-10
THROUGH FIRE;
OR,
AT HOME AND ABROAD
BY JASPER CLEVELAND.
CONTINUED.

of my husband belonging to me, | shall moi
hesitate to take advantage of the hint so broad
ly expressed. had always thought ths law
gave to the eldest son the estates OF hif
fathern
"No, indeed!" replied Mrs. Seymour, "s
man may leave his entire wealth to any per
son, whether of his family or not. Clarence
inherited his share of my husbands wealth
but as he was in business, in New York, he
preferred the ready money, to real estate, OF
bank stock, and received it. Clifton inherit
ed the entire estates, and bank stock, but
both sons Jared alike, to dollar. My share
was separate, but liberal, so, in reality, am
only the nominal mistress of Seymour House,
| and when Clifton marries, shall be very hap
by to retire from the duties devolving upon
me, as the mistress of the establishment, and
dwell with them in love. Agnes must be
the mistress of Seymour House, and dar-
ling little mistress will she be-. Yet, Abilene,
as the wife of my son, my poor Clarence, |
would gladly offer you home with me, If
you choose 10 remain"
"Remainl and Agnes Merton my mis-.
tress No, I thank you" she replied, scorn-
fully.
"Athlene, why cannot you be agreeable,
and make it pleasant for US all to live togeth-
err" said Clifton.
"You know very well, why cannot live
with her," she answered.
The entrance of Mrs. Jackson with Mabel,
put stop to further conversation on this
point The child looked fresh and rosy, from
her bath, and the seamstress had executed
my orders, and purchased q complete suit of
clothing, ready made, of dressmaker If her
acquaintance, who had them finished on the
day of the fire, for little girl whose guar
dian was wealthy, but knew nothing of chill
dren. He therefore ordered complete suit
of nice clothing for his ward, on the day of
her arrival, and it was to be sent home, on
the day of the fire. His house had been
consumed, and he lost all his property, and
that Of his ward beside. The child was pro-
yided' for and he was laboring By the day. So
it was that the clothes were uncalled for, and
the dressmaker sold them at bargain. The
seamstress had taken her purchase to my
room, and Mrs. jackson had dressed Mabel,
and now led her into the parlor, with an air
of triumph.
"Wby, how handsome she is !" said Mrs.
Seymour.
Come, and kiss me, Mabel said /.
"And me, also" added Clifton.
The child gave to each, pretty kiss, and
laying her head on my bosom, wound her
arms about my neck, and rested there in 81
s9ss shs ws was ndssa RysE sAE5Sh shs
icate tracery of little blue veins upon the ten-
ples, her forehead was broad, and white as
snow and her hair clustered in heavy curls
about it. Her eyes, large, deep, expressive
blue, with long, dark lashes, and prettily arch.
ell brows. Her cheeks were fair, and dimpled,
her chin rounded with exquisite grace, and
laughing dimple in the centre. But her
mouth was the charm Of her angelic face,
small, dslcately carved, with little scarlet
lips, and rows Of small, white teeth within.
Her cheeks were ;usttinged with pink, and
her form, well.rounded and plamp. She was
only eight years old, though the mournfpl
expression OF her face, led one to think her
two or three years older. She was the most
nerfect specimen OF child-bcauty ever saw,
and remembering day of orphange by fire, |
took her to my heart, and she had place
there, forever.
After she had rested awhile on my bo.
som, asked her, I" DO you not feel hungry =
"Oh, no! we had potatoes and milk Tor
dinner. like it, and eat great deal more
than can of pie or cake. Do you like pota-
toes and milk?" she asked.
81 do not remember to have eaten any,
dear" answered.
She left my side, and going to Abilene
said: .,
ii did moi kiss you! Do you like little
girls?
"Not very WE'LL" Abilene answered.
Then you are just like the 'opld woman
at Passes shanty, she does not like little girls,
said Mabel.
"You must not talk to me, Mabel do
not like little girls to talk to me-" answered
Abilene, Grossly.
"Perhaps ! shall forget, for I'm to live
here always, Mrs. Maylsnd said so; shall you
live here always?"
"Perhaps 3d."
81 hope you will not, for you Ore MT gooe,
like Mrs. Maryland, and you do not look hap
py. You look like the 'ould woman at
IFatay's."
Mrs. Maylsnd, will you be 50 kind as to
call your very interesting prote@ away from
me p asked Abilene, Of me.
Mabel returned to my side and toyed with
uy curls awhile. "You must not say 'ould
woman Mabel, said l.
"Why pot7 please" she answered. won
derins.. Il, Is not psouer;;' I replied,
because >vs ''ould woman and her
pms ashs is quT rave the true Irish as nt
and wc could not refrain from laug
added, quickly,
"Patsy is very nice man, but he does not
speak ali words as should wish my little
girl to pronounce them"
aThen 1 will never say anything to dis
please you."
She always spoke of Patsy's wife, as "the
little girls mother" afterward. Clifton soon
won her affections, and she never wearied OF
talking to him, or listening to the fairy tales
with which he amused her. Mrs. Seymour
loved her tenderly, and even Abilene soften
ed in her manners towards her. Yet there
was never much love between Abilene and
Mabel, for child's natural keenness OF per.
ception between right and wrong, good and
evil, forbade that. My burned hand and foot
were so nearly we'll in four weeks after my
arrival at Cliftons home, that l could go about
as usual. Very fair seemed life to me then.
Reunited to my beloved Clifton, how could
fail 10 be happy? Mrs. Jackson had return
ed to her home, and I was about advertising
for maid to care for little Mabel, when we
had an unexpected addition 10 our family
One afternoon in August, while we were all
loungiug in the cool back parlor our fayorite
haunt in the warm days, there came vigor,
GUS ring at the front door bell. Nota city
ring but an unmistakable down'eastc country
ring, a terrible knob dislocating, wire break
ing, ear, piercing ring. Mabel sprang to hel
CT 70 the fletriment of her tastefulY arranp