The Republican journal., 1869-01-07
bending over the small stray who was hud-
died up, Just where he had left her.
" Here, child, where are you!"


was benumbed and stupeied with the cold.
He lifted her up, poor little skeleton,
wrapped in miscrably thin coating of rags,
and feeling strangely light in his arms, and
carried her home. Mrs. Terryn met him
at the door.
"Oh, Herbert, what poor little starved
wretch Her hands are like birds claws. y
Charley looked on in breathless interest
at the process of feeding, warming and re-
storing some vitality to the torpid object.
When little Tess opened her eyes, it was
to the glow of warm fire and the mellow
sparkle Of gaslights.
g Am I dead?' cried the child, " and is
! this Heaven?"
( g Poor little creature !" said Mrs. Terryn,
bun sting into tears.
/ "Tesora" her name proved to be-a sweet
Italian synonym for the word " treasure, .
aud treasure she was, in gentle Mrs. Ter
ryn's eyes, especially after her little babe
was dead and buried.
elbow Tesora grows" said Mr.. Tcrryn,
suddenly, one day, as the beautiful girl
came in, rosy and smiling from a walk.
Why, she is as tall as a gown wo-
man."
''She is u grown woman, sad Mrs. Ier-
ryn, with smile.
s How old is she 7"
g Sixteen, day before yesterday"
''Is it possible" said Mr.. Terryn,
. thoughtfully. How time slips away. Tes-
ora sixteen. Why, then, Charley must be
twenty"
at is true my DEAR" said his wife.
" We are getting to be old people, now."
II wonder what will become of Tesora," :"
said Mr.. Terryn, musingly. She would
make capital governess, her education has
been so thorough, Or"
Father" said Charles Terryn, resolute-
ly, as he walked up in front of his father
and stood with folded arms. " can tell
you what is to become of Tesora. She is
to be my wife"
"Nonsense p calculated Mr.. Terryn.
"Charley," said his mother, when the
indignant father had jerked himself out of
the room, ''don't waste your breath in ar
guing with your father. Argument never
conquered yet, in such a case as this
s'But what am | to do?"
"Have you spoken to Tess YETI"
emo"
''Wait, then-let matters rest. l will
manage it,
So Mrs. Terryn gave little dinner parties
and select soirees, and ''brought out" Tes
ora according to the regular programme.
She made a sensation. Mrs. Terryn had
known that she would. Suitors congregat-
ed round her.
''Well, Tess" said Mr.. Terryn, one
ni9ht-he was getting wondrously proud
of his adopted daughters success in the
world Of society-''are you going out to-
night"
Eyes, papa"
"With whom!"
"Colonel Randolph"
II thought Charley had taken a box at
the opera for YOU"
81 promised Colonel Randolph first"
said Tesora, languidly playing with her fan.
''And how about tomorrow night? l
suppose Charley could get his tickets trans
ferred."
Il am sorry, sir, but am engaged for
tomorrow night +"
Mr.. Terryn rose and walked restlessly up
and down the room. He was man much
guided by the opinion of his fellow men.
Tesora must be treasure, else why this
competition among the young millionaires
for her society.
"Look here, Tess, Charley will be so dis
appointed"
II can't help it. Let me see"-and she
glanced at her tablets, "Friday is the only
evening have disengaged."
''Fiddlesticks !" muttered the old gentle
man, uneasily. cit seems to me you are
getting to ge great belle, Miss"
Gam [, papa?' said Tess, laughing
''But you see l am your little girl still. "
And she gave him little coaxing kiss.
"My own little girl yes, but what will
you become when Colonel Randolph or
Dayton L'Estrange, or some other of these
scamps takes you away from me !'
Tesora blushed until the rose on her
cheek was like a carnation.
"They will not, papa"
"Won't they? I'm not altogether so sure
of that.
But the next afternoon he came home
from the office with puzzled face.
AncJ nave COiLc, LESS
"What have come ?"
1.-The offers of marriage; two of them,
by Jupiter! Colonel Randolph and Mr.. Du-
piner. What do you say, Tess?"
''I--l must think of it, papa"
every gentlemanly, l must say; both
well of, substantial fellows, and profess to
be be desperately in love with my girl. But,
Tess"
"WeH, sir?"
"You won't leave as dear? Think how
desolate the old house will be without you"
Tesora was silent; her head dropped.
Father" said Mrs. Terryn, gently, slet
the girl decide for herself. We have no
right to stand between her and home and
a husband of her own"
"Bnt she might have home and hus-
band Of her own here," burst in Mr. Ter
ryn. "That isl mean Charley"
81 have refused Charley to-day" said
Iesora, calmly.
REFUSED Charley! And why?"
'Because had reason to believe that
his suit was pressed without the approval
of his father. Oh, sir, could you think that
after all your kindness, could steal your
Cop'o Iut., ,xu,x, f,o,,, ,,.,2