Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1869-03-31

ihuSt -oe dreaOIuiiy poor, for b street Is ;
wretched place. But I'll make an erranc
there"
The next day John knocked at the dool
of No B street. Miss Ainslee answered
the summons, and invited him to enter.
1t was meagre little room into which
she ushered him, but for all that it was neal
and cheerful. A geranium was blooming on
the sill, and on the table beside cot bed.
there was red rosebush covered with bios.
SONS. On the bed lay golden haired child
OF five or six years, her face wasted by dis.
ease, and one transparent little hand resting
on the quiet head of little white kitten.
Poor John was terribly embarrassed, but
Miss Ainslee kindly helped him to an expla-
nation of his errand.
You come from Miss Wayne, suppose?'
Yes, men," John, that is to say no
mem | come for myself" and he came
to dead stop.
Mary was looking at him curiously, SO he
plunged into the matter at random.
You see | thought, that is | decided I
should like an opera cape myself like Miss
Wayne you know"
The girl laughed, but checked herself at
the sight of her visitors distressed face.
For friend 1 suppose ?''
John caught eagerly at the suggestion.
Yes, yes, for friend. Yes, you are
correct. Can you do it for me ?"
''What color would you prefer?"
20 any COLOR" said John it don't mat
ter that is, it is immaterial How would a
green one look I"
Il should hardly fancy that COLOR re-
piled Mary
"Well, well, 1 leave it all to your good
taste. 1t is for an elderly lady, and there
is money to purchase the material, and you
need not hurry about the work. Any time
will do.
Miss Ainslee picked up the hundred
dollar note laid down, and regarded him in
silent surprisr
Il am not insane he said laughingly,
only a little eccentric
But here is much more than enough
80, never mind about that we will set
tie that when the work is DONE And |
shall want to call on you now and then to
see how you get along with it. -
And John bowed himself out
The next day he gave Mrs. Wayne notice
that he must leave her the work didn't
agree with his digestion, as the reason be
gave.
He was satisfied as regarded Annette,
md Mrs. Lyle was forced to give up her
ong cherished plan of seeing her son the
husband Of the gay and beautiful BELLE
Seymour Lyle was in his Office every day
Until six clock, and after that hour no one
Knew anything of his whereabouts. But
john, Mrs. Waynes quandam footman,
vas at No. s B street almost every evening
He was so interested in the progress of
hat cape that he could not let day pass
Without giving its inspection his personal
attention. and he contrived to make himself
10 agreeable to Miss Ainslce that she looked
or the coming of the shabby blue coat, and
he red hair under that seedy hat, as one
Little Nellie, the sick child was never so
rec from pain, as she was when Johns
strong arms held her, and she listened to the
stories he told her. and the songs he sung
Ter, as she listened to nothing else on earth
Aoor little thing her lie of suffering
yrew feebler every day. and one morning,
While alone with her sister, she put her two
hands together and cried out
Mamma, take mer'
MARY caught her to her bosom, but she
held only clay. The beautiful spirit had
lown to Ter mother, who, perhaps even in
Paradise, had been lonely without her dar-
ing.
Two days after the funeral of Nellie, j ohm
anne to spend the evening with Mary. She
onfided III him fully DOW, she told him for
he first time her simple history. Her faith
IT had been a distinguished physician, but
hrough his many charities he had left his
hildren only poverty at his death Mary
lad sewed and embroidered ever since and
aiken care ofNellie Now God had assum- |
ID care of her.
And what will you do, now, Mary?'
aid John taking her hand
81 shall go on in the old way
No, you will not he said earnestly, |
that is if can prevent it. You know just |
low poor and humble and i'll looking l am, |
ut love you, darling, with all the strength |
f an honest heart and, thank God it is an |
onest one Do you think you could love
nc, Mary p
Il DO love you, John" she said softly.
''W hat, with my speckled face and shock |
f red hair?'
You have beautiful eyes, John, and |
our face just suits me.
''My own Mary?" He pressed her to his
osom and kissed her tenderly.
Then he put her away from him, got up
nd tore off the red wig. One vigorous ap-
lication of his handkerchief left his face
lear of all freckles and spots, and Seymour
.yle stood before her
"You have deceived mer' she exclaimed
John what means this ?"
81 have been enjoying little masquer-
de. Forgive me. | shall always regard
as the golden moment of nv life when |