The Elk advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Elk Co., Pa.) 186?-1868, 1868-03-14

H..
verdale, gave to her returned nephew.
He had lett home struggling against
fortune, and depressed with knowl-
edge of his fathers large debts. Vaioly
striving to pay these, he had lived close,
dressed with economy, and been well
known as one upon whom the iron hand
Of poverty rested heavily. No farewell
party had been given when he anuounc..
cd his Intention of seeking his fortune
in foreign land. His, relatives were
rather glad to get rid of him and of
all Silyerdale, but one voice had sent
forth prayers for his safety; but one of
all his friends watched for his return.
No word had come to any, till letter
to his aunt had announced his return
after thirteen years sojourn in Austria.
liza. All his fathers debts were paid,
and his letter spoke of large sums in0
vested in various ways, so Mrs. Haskins
consulted cher Net," and the result was
the brilliant assemblage which Laura
and Bertha were to honor, and where
that "littlc old maid," their aunt, was to
appear in society after ten years seclu-
sion.
The hero of the evening had not ap.
peared when the trio, under the escort
of Mr.. Leslie, Bertha and Laura's faith
entered, but soon a movement towards
the door announced his arrival, tall,
distinguished looking man Of thirty-fve
or six with finished manners and we'll
modulated voice--a man to notice in
every circle, for the broad, intellectual
brow, aud large honest eyes that greet
ed yours; but now, with the glitter of
his wealth, a man, Silvqrdale thought,
to fall down and worship.
He had greeted his hostess, had made
nearly the circuit of the room, bowing
to new friends, greeting with warm cor
diality his old ones, when his eyes fell
upon golden ear of wheat, resting up.
on a broad braid Of black hair. The
light that sprang in his eyes, the smile
upon his lips, carried such deep peace
to one heart, gave one life Of patient
waiting such new spring of happiness,
that the words of polite greeting fell
upon ears that scarcely heard them.
True-true! Her trust repaid--hor
long constancy rewarded
No one else noted more than the qui-
ct greeting of old friends, but two hearts
were full of deep joy, rest after weary
longing. Some of the guests were in
vited by the returned Australian to
house warming, learning for the first
time that a new mansion, the building
and furnishing of which had long been
a source Of speculation, was to be the
future home of Lawrence Lane.
OF course, everybody accepted the
invitation, and many young heart fut-
tered at the thought that so splendid a
mansion must soon need mistress.
One week soon glided away. Aunt
Fanny was very kind in helping to trim
new peach coiored silks for the sisters
but there was an odd smile on her lip
when Lawrence Lanes matrimonial
prospects were discussed.
A few days before the eventful night,
Aunt Fanny, to her ME ces' surprise,
went on visit to some old friends.
The evening appointed for the house
warming came at last. Carriage after
carriage set down its load of fair beau.
ties before the superb mansion, the win
dows of which blazed with light. Merry
voices rang through the hall and rooms,
gay footsteps flew from one beautiful
apartment to another, till it was whis
pered-no one knew by whom that the
revelers were invited to meet the mis-.
tress as we'll as the master of the mans
sion. The closed doors, which sLut off
small room, were eagerly watched, as
the guests assembled, and no host came
to welcome them.
At length they were opened, and the
tall handsome hero of the hour entered
with a small, white .robed figure on his
arm, and more than one cry of astonish.
ment greeted "Frances Somers;" and
more than one iil.natured whisper was
directed at Lawrence Lanes taste in
choosing, when all the beauty Of Silver
dale was before him, "That Little Old
Maid"
GErDont read this line.