The Van Buren press., 1869-06-08
7ao VAN BUREN, ARK. JUNE 8, 1869.

stairs, in n narrow, foul smelling street
where children played in the cutters, ano
fifth-rate grocery stores displayed theil
wares.
She paid the hackman--an exorbitan1
price, of coursc--and dismissed him, en-
tering the house with sinking hcartanc
hestating footstep.
Does Mr.. Fairfax live here y asked
Janet
"Mr. Fairfax! Are you one of his
friends |" demanded the woman.
Janet colored in spite OF herself, but
before she could frame al appropriate
answer in her confusion, the woman went
on.
"Sydney Fairfax-Algcrnon Ryde-
Fitz Albyn Clare Call him any name
YOU please, they all belong to him; and
a precious scoundrel he is; took up for
counterfeiter only last nigst, and his
poor wife
His wife !"
"Yes. If she hadn't been down sick
through his neglect and brutality Ia
have turned her out o doors for my
house has always been a respectable one,
and not a red cent Of his board have
ever seen knew he was Il scamp, mind
you, because he
stop. There must surely be some
mistake !"
"If it's Sydney Fairfax you're wantin'
to see, there is no mistake more's the
pity. "Was you wantin' to his wife I!
She has been goin' out of one fit into
another ever since six o'clock this morn
ing"
But Janet turned away with chill
shulder at her heart. How near she had
come to the brink OF her own ruin Mar
red--and counterfeiter at that! She
remembered how confidently she had
g lent him her little savings only iiity
odd dollars" just for a day or two--an
emergency" But it was not
for the money she cared, enly-only-
With difficulty she repressed hor tears
Of keen modification in the presence Of
hat hard faced woman.
mo" she said abruptly. "My busi-
ness is with Mr.. Fairfax, and si' : he's
not here l will go back ''
The afternoon express was just start
ng when Janet, pale and jaded, entered
,ne of the rear ears. She glanced hesl-
.atingly along the rows Of seats; there
vas but one empty, and the other half
nearest the window was occupied by
gentleman. There was no help for it,
however, and she advanced, timidly,
81 chic caof NJ, oa paI cir -
And so the gentleman, with prompt
courtesy, rose to give her the seat nesr-
st the open window, Janet started in
Voluntarily it was Thorne Millington!
In the same instant he recog' .od her.
: "Janet?" His voice alte Z its in
;erest to" cold, 'unlmlncss.s fnarer in,
such as he might have addressed to any
ranger who had casually crossed his
path. 1t cut Janet to the heart
81 beg your pardon, Miss Roydon, he
,aid tremendously lifting his hat; 81
will find another seat.
He was turning away when Janet laid
her hand tremuously on his arm
please, Thorne, don't so away from
me-" she faltercd. I'm lonely, and
and"
Her voice died away into a faint fut-
tering sort of sob. Thorne Millington
turned back again with Il strange not un-
pleasant tumult at his heart. Somehow,
.hc words seemed to bear sweet slgnih-
cancc for beyond thoir ordinary import.
"Janet, you know lncvcr should have
gone away from you ifyou yourself had
not banished me. But tell me how 1t
happens that you are here and alone =
And Janet told him. All pride, all re
sentiment, all stubborn secretivcness, had
died out Of her poor wounded little
heart; aud the strength and shelter Of
Thorne Mllington's manly presence
seemed to be the sweetest of refugees
He made 10 comment whatever OH her
story. There was, in his nature, that
loyal instinct Of chivalrous nobleness
that led him scrupulously to abstain from
the very semblance Of triumphing over
fall foe. But when, at length, she con
cludcl by once more exclaimiag, On.
am so glad you are here, Ihorne he
said. "Do you really mean it, Janet
~ OD, luOfnt, L wv wv
81 will not leave you again, Janet, he
said, tenderly taking her cold hand IN ms
own. | will stay by your side al my
life long now
And Janets upliited eyes, heavy and
dewv, vet full OF sweet, wlstfl ight,
spoke the ample measure Of her repent
ant gratitude
Aunt Thyrza and Uncle Matthew re-
ceiyed their little truant back again 20
their hearts without a single word OF re-
proach. A hurried word or two Of cx-
planation whispered to them by Thorne
anticipated all unpleasant question ask
ing; and Janct's shy, tender mhnner was
quite sufficient guarantee o her penltence
for the one foolish step OF her eighteen
year-old life.
"Shc's nothing but child" said good
Uncle Matthew Roydon.
"Shc was child " said Aunt Thyrza,
softly, wiping her spectacle glasses, but
she's womah now
There was little shadow or deprcs-
sion--a few tears, such rs might remind
one of brief summer shower with rain
bow ovcrarching it-and then Janet
life came back into its old serene chan-
mel Of happy monotony o.
And when the frosts Of early October
turned the upland woods to crimson ana
russet brown, and strowed all the glen
paths with pavcments of rustling gold, she
married Thorne Millington--as loving
ond truo. .beartel n little bride as eyer