The Plymouth Democrat., 1870-10-27

again, and as you said he must not write,
/ he has sent me this to show me he has
not changed Mamma, you understand,
don't you"
Mrs. Lansden patted the little hand that
rested on her arm, smiled assent, and then
the trio went to breakfast.
From that time forward, at regular in
tervals, on Lucy's birthday, Christmas day,
and the anniversary of their parting, came
similar packets, always enclosing the same
kind of blank envelope, containing spray
! of Golden Chain, each one drler and
more withered as the time passed on, and
the date that had indelibly fixed itself on
Lucy's mind grew more thing of the
past And so the three years wore away,
and Lucy Lansden, still true to her first
love, began to think the days passed very
slowly and to grow little impatient for
the happy ending that, in her simple faith,
| she felt sure must come sooner or later to
the love that had stood so sure test.
! Just at the end of the third year, when
the ground round the summerhOuse was
yellow with the fallen blossoms of the Ia
| burnum trees, Lucy, it must be confessed,
rather unwillingly accompanied her moth
er to the seaside Mrs Lansden was the
victim of certain somewhat imaginary all
ments, the successful treatment of which
necessitated frequent change of scene and
air; so just at the time when Lucy had
come to the conclusion that George might
arrive any day, she was hurried out of
town, consoling herself, however, with the
reflection that should he come from India
for the purpose of seeing her, he would
not much mind journey to the sea
! coast.
| 1t was too quiet place to be the resort
of ordinary summer tourists, and the
| towns-p people seemed utterly ignorant of
the natural charms of which, in the esti
nation of weary LOndoners, their little
sea side town was possessed, so that Lucys
rambles were very solitary but she would
| sit contentedlv for hours, apparently ab-
sorbed in her book or work, or watching
the waves rolling up on the sands, but in
reality busy with some happy ay-dream;
and her mother would sometimes notice
| with smile her anxiety to appear in the
colors and dresses that suited her best, or
her careful arrangement of the fresh flow
ers of which she insisted on having such
an abundance in their sittingroom but
the days and weeks passed by, and autumn
was close at hand yet Lucv's hopes were
vague as ever; at length the girl grew
| strangely restless, looking forward to her
birthday with dim prescntiment of
evil, that grew stronger as the day drew
nearer
Had Lucy's twenty-frst birthday been
spent at home, there would have been II
party in honor Of the day; but as it was,
it babe fair to resemble every other day,
except that Mr. Lansden was to pay them
Il visit.
Lucy awaited her fathers appearance
| with an impatience that was not entirely
on his account and when the bracelet he
brought her had been admired, her first
question was, Are there any letters for
me, papa."
Letters, pussyg Why, what con
science you have! | sent you four yester
day." replied her father.
. meant the one from George" said
Lucy.
NO. did not leave home until the
post was in, but there was no letter for
you and Lucy, my dear" continued her
father, kindly, as he noticed her disap-
pointed lUvh, DONE you tLi,,h it ,V,.iJ ~
as well to try and forget that affair alto
gether. You know | don't want to pain
you, especially on this day, when wish to
make you SO happy but | cannot help
thinking that if George had been good for
much we should have heard something
definite about him before this"
"Lucy's lip quivered as her father spoke,
while there was tnge of sadness in her
tone as she said, Not to-day, papa. Please
don't speak of it to-day and so the sub
ject was allowed to rest.
During one of his frequent visits to
Brent, Mr. Lansden renewed an acquaint-
ance which had been commenced years
before, and at the house of this gentleman
now a country magistrate it had been
} agreed that the evening Of Lucys birthday
should be spent.
In Lucys estimation at least the quiet
t family party assembled at their friends
house threatened a dull evening; she little
thought with what agony of mind and
prostration of spirit that day would close
Whether the conversation had been un
usually drcary mt dinner time. or whether
the ladies did not care much for the charms
of each others society, Lucy found hel
companions in the drawing-roOm very un
interesting and not at all inclined for con
versation; so, after one or two vain at
tempts to amusc herself and others, she
: took up book of engravings, and soOr
+ grew so interested in its contents that she
scarcely noticed the entrance of the gentle
| men, two of whom-her host and another
\ seated themselves near her. and con
: tinued a conversation that had apparently
:, commenced in the dining-rOom
: And did that happen this year," in
: quircG the guest
e Yes; in the early spring" was the re
ply.
And the loss was great." inquired TIL,
I guest.
Entire; the ship parted, and wen
e down like IA stone. The men on shor
were frantic, and even tried to launch TIN,
= lifc-bOat but of course in such sea it wa
5 impossible. 1t was madness to attempt ii
c and every soul on board was lost. Their
were IA few bodies washed on shore"
o " But suppose you had no clue to thei
d IDENTIFY"
l 4" No; in the majority of cases they ha,
p been too much disfigured by coming il
contact with the rocks, to be recognizable
Il There was one poor young fellow though
evidently passenger, who had escaped al
1t Injury, and he had a small waterproof cas-
n strapped round him, but unfortunatcl,
q there was no name"
/ He had papers, them"
Only loveletter, poor boy, with
u sprig of labarnum in it, that he spoke of IA
N Golden Chain, evidently some parting
$ token, and"
N MIR. Wheeler did not finish his speecl
e for ut that moment Lucy rose and tottel
II ed, rather than walked, to where they wer
1t seated
d Have yOu-can you show me tha
Is letter." she gasped, laying her hand par1
/; ly to steady herself, on her hosts arm, an
m he, too surprised to be cautious, simpl
answered, yes"
r.; "Then you will let me see it? | thin
IN know-that is, knew-the writer. n,
do not call mamma, please" she added, a
'g she saw Mr. Wheeler's eyes seek Mr.
Lansden; "I will not give you an
trouble"
r. Overpowered i)y the girls carnestnes
and feeling that, having gone so far, equiv
ocation would he useless, Mr.. Wheeler lie
the way to the library, and then, after