Daily Davenport Democrat. [volume] (Davenport, Iowa) 1864-1874, 1868-02-29

and half desparing Of ever seeing him
again. Nv efforts were unavalIng. l
never met Mr. Chvrles Meredith again.
At last l settled myself in fine old city,
Offering me many inducements to remain.
Having several influential friends In the
place, soon found myself in the mids, OF
ell the fashionable pleasures then at thsh
height. Invitations poured in upon 'ue
successful sr,ist, and my time was iOiiy
cupied. As entered my studio one IN. m,
noon found there an Invitation - ~.
an entertainment given by MISS be'O"
edith ..r.v ard heircss
"Pethafs " ~ Charles" thought,
/ aud accepted the in'i'A''o". mo bv sieht.
ne ~ or, she was no stranger. Onthe
Dut oy evening | entered the brilliant
sie ,ans accompanied by friend, who pre-
sam,sd me to the beautiful hostess. no.
,,ced tha, the lady turned hastily at the
mention of my name and ! fairly starteo
with surprise, for Charles Meredith HIM
.rlf seemed to stand before me; oaly that
Tho sad. worn look did not rest upon his
fac, and. amid her SUR oundings, Miss Mer-
edith seemed pssrlessly lovely. She must
have noticed my long glancss at her lace,
for her cheek WAS crimson and mercy
speaking nv name, she turned away.
was provoked at myself for allowing
| mere resemblance TO disturb me so; and
then drawn irresistably, turned to look
n her again, and met her eyes liked inii
upon me. She was very pale now and
strange thrill ran over me as ! once more
watched the strange resemblance 70 ,has'
Meredith. =,
"p.h,w,- said to myself, "she must
have . brother by th.t name. That is the
reason OF ii. ! shall certainly ask her IL
such IS the case
Daring the evening found an oppor.u-
nifty Of doing so and was assured thA'
! she had no brother.
"Ihst is Inv sister at the piano, Mr.. Brook
ie'd," she saie.
| flt rather foolish, and, to relieve my
self. l told tue story Of my deep interest iol
Charles Meredith. She listened politely
10 the end and then, after few comments
she requested mo to return to the room
which we bad left. glanced at the burn
ing cheeks and bright eyes, and then did al
requested.
| went home that nigh, strangely happl
with Miss Meredith's permission - Gal
again still ringing in my ,ars. | DID visi
. her again, and many times. At hrst, be
cause she reminded me SO much Of the los
Charles Meredith; and finally, because M
heart vas in her possession.
A year flew by and then | asked Heller
Meredith TO be my wife. She sat yer,
quiet while I was speaking; could no
nclp noticing how tight her hands wer'
clasped together and how graspingy cam
her breath.
Finally, she looked full in my eyes, and
said-"Bsfore | answer you, Mr.. Brook
field. shall tell you something that may
perhaps, greatly change your mind
Here she stopped suddenly, and after
great effort she continued ain SINAI
country town, four years ago, . gentleman
died leaving four daughters 10 the care o
: an uscls who had one son. This uncle mi
J serly as he was, allowed his niecss, and. in
, deed, his own son. only the barest necessi
ties II life. The younger OF the sisters wa
an Invalid, and needed more than these
This tho other soon discovered as she say
her sister day by day, approaching III
grave. One day she applied to her incl
for assistance, but was roughly told that !
she would consent a. marry his son NOR
would be done for them than had bee
hitherto. The proposition was, OF course
| hrmly and instantly refused. But seeir
that the prosecutions OF both father and so
( would soon be uncomfortable, the sisters on
day left their uncIe's roof and betook them
selves to place where they were utterl,
unknown. For long time the elder sists
sought in vain for employment; and, ut last
t. avoid further privRtions and persecution
offered \ helpless woman. the high spiri;e,
girl was driven 10 \ novel expedicnt-ths
q donning male apparel"
Here the thrilling voice again wavered
and a light was gradually breaking over m,
mind. But kept ny eyes resolutely upOI
the floor anti she gained courage and pro
ceoded
"The young girl now engaged q room 70
en- artists studio, and, TO her Joy, foun,
that her talents aud productions were ap
precated. After q short time she was cn
abled to place her sister at good schoo
where her health would be sure 10 receiv
proper attention. For time the youp
artist labored necessarily, scarcely leavin
her canvass, and giving herself but fc'
hours for recreation. Part of she ssmme
. vas spent ut pleasant country place, fror
which she was recalled by the dangerou
illness OF her sister When relieved frot
anxiety on her account, she returned agni
to her sumner resort, but only t. sutfs
many DAYS Of illness caused by over exer
ton. During this Illness the lady Of tn
house proved herself t. be 4 tue Christian
and a noble. dtsintercsted woman. Day by
day abe watched by the sick bed and l.
her, aud . warm hearted girl in the sam,
house, was conlidol the story Of Young
siruggling artist. After her recovery III,
| Young girl learned that largo fortune had
oeen lelt her by distant relative. Once
mo the country place was left bsLind, and
with thankful hearts the two sisters took
possession of their ample inheritance. And
now. though Helen Meredith earnestly de-
sires Mr.. Brockiields good opinion, and
knows that he does nos appreciated woman
who has once left her proper sphere, ye,
she has told him her story, and is ready to
hear him speak for himself
And |, Helen, having heard your story
snd understanding it, wait patiently to hear
your answer to my question: | answered,
quietly holding out my hand.
Then you are satisfied with me" shs
asked tremblingly.
Perfectly" answered. and her hand
was lightly laid in mine Ihad my answer.
NEW ORLEANS I.ETTER.
Special Correspondence Of the DsuocnAf.
e.