The Lincoln County herald., 1869-01-07

great wrong.
"Icaunot have you think these things,
said Mildred. "How can We tell who
your father may be? lie may live. Some
day you may meet him. Ho may need
your love. II may DO only your pardon
that can mako him certain Of forgiveness
-"
"Do you know who am ?" interrupted
Elsie. "You speak So"
II only know that you are my child
now--that love you dearly. Little one,
don't think Of tho past, 1t may never have
anything to do with your life; but, I
charge you, think of your father With
other feelings. Pray for him nightly,
living or dead; forgive him in your
mothers name, as she would do is--if
n
She broke of suddenly, and, after Il
moments struggle, added, with more
calmncss,
"Promisc mo Elsie, to think Of what l
say. Pray to feel differently. could
not bear to have you grow up with any
hatred in your heart, it would warp and
dcform your whole character. Promise
me, child, that you will try and conquer
this wild thought"
Elsie did promise, and she s.rovc her
best to keep her pledge but it was very
difficult under tho pressure Of tho hard,
wrong thoughts that had lain like frost
over her heart for years.
She was very impctuous, with pride
like the old pride Of Mildrod's youth
but under Mildrcd's care, with Mildrcds
watchiulncss, tempered by the bitter cx.
pcricncc Of her own past and hor great
love, Elsie was made to control the faults
which might otherwise have grown too
strong to be cradicated.
Ten years Elsie had been in her happy
home, with the sunshine about her SO
warm, that the chill Of the childish shad.
ows had died out of her heart, leaving
only pensivc memory which softeucd
her whole character.
She was eighteen now, and Mildred,
grand, beautiful Mildred was young no
longer, bat with beauty so much more
lofty than her first bloom, that those who
loved her scarcely perceived how her
youth slipped from her. But Mildred
felt it in the added rcposo which each
year brought, felt it and was thankful
that she had been led toward q land Of
such peace, whose Indian summer sun.
shine aud haze would grow softer and
more golden as she passed on toward eter.
nifty.
In all those years she had not seen
Maurice Hadon; he had gone back to his
foreign Life, and sim'es wanderings. But
she sometimes heard his name mentioned,
and she knew that her counsels had, in q
measure, lightcned the difficulties between
him and his wife.
1t was autumn, still early and pleasant,
when she learned that hs had returned
home, and that he left his wife buried in
the far Off country.
Only few days later she received u
note from Hadon, asking permission to
see her-such sad, dispirited letter, that
she could not have refused his request
So it was decided, between her and her
father, that he should once more enter
that house, where ko had brought so
much suffering.
In the very room where she had las,
received him, Iadon found her, tho light
of her presence shifting his heart like tha,
Of some good angel whom hi, cruelty and
sin had driven from his path.
lie was only few years older than
herself, but his face was so worn and
weather beaten by the waves of bis stormy
life, that 1t hardly seemed as if they could
have been young together.
"This is very kind Of you," he said
after the g st troubled moments. 81
ought not to have asked to see you, but,
in all my weakness and doubt l had no
where else to turn. l have worn out The
patience Of all my good friends, and
fear it is too late now to change"
Then Mildred questioned him ant
learned how much his fortune was embar
rassed by his reckless course, and urget
upon him the care and attention to hi
affairs, which might make his impendin:
ruin less disastrous.
"If l had any object in lifo'" he said
mournfully; anything to love me j
my wife had left children But I am en-
tirely alone !"
Never q word which related to thei
common past. He knew that never i,
all his coming lifo would he dare ute
such. But it spoke much for his min'
and heart that he was able to bear tht
forgiveness Of the woman he had wronged
They heard a happy voice ringin
through the hall, and Mildred said,
"You shall see my child, the adoptc
? daughter God sent to complete my con
tent"
She went to the door, drew Elssio i
and presented her to Mr.. Hadon.
. He stood for long time, holding he
: hand, and looking IN her face, who's
youth stirred bis heart with an unde6na
' bic regret, seeing her features not 8
. much as images that its freshness calle
up from the dimness of the past.
Elsie's eyes never deceived her, Elsie