Weekly Trinity journal., 1870-12-31


She looked at me wistfully when we were
alone, her soft brown eyes questioning NY face,
but she asked no questions, only when she kissed
me goodnight, she whispered, with an earnest
emphasis -
" God grant you happy New Year, dear Miss
Jane, and went down to her mother, softly and
thoughtlully.
Alone, with the whispered blessing for COM
pany, fastened my door, aud then turned to my
mirror to what my face had BETRAYED to
those questioning, innocent eyes. | saw a small
trail figure, II face that had once been beautiful,
that was now white rs marble, set with hard
lines of suffering and concealed pain, and
framed in heavy mass Of jet black hair; eyes
large, black and full of sadness, and dress of
( black to add to the dark reflection.
Seven years before that night my mirror had
given to my gaze a form robed in rich silk dead
white with hounces and bertha of rich black
lace, and cleaning on neck and arms the blood
red carbuncles-my New Years gift 1t had
shown me face full and brilliant with health
and happiness, checks and lips of crimson, eyes
radiant with hope and joy.
had turned from the mirror happy maiden
with the knowledge that | was beloved where
loved, and that below, in my fathers spacious
parlors, where guests were already assembling
one waited for me, whose dearest hope in life
was the prospect of claiming me in few short
weeks for his bride. left the room to be queen
u
fathers idol, and without one cloud upon my
heart. | came back ot midnight an orphan,
hopeless and heart broken.
My fathers partner had secretly appropriated
the money OF the firm in some investment that
my father considered u stain upon its honor
On that night he learned this Tor the first time
and sm0rtiug under the bitterness of disgrace
upon his commercial name, he called his partner
into the library and charged him with having
dishonorcd the firm. High words followed, fl
nolly blows pistols were called for, seconds
found among the guests, and an hour later my
father lay dead, with a.ball through his heart,
his partner fugitive from Justice,
The next day all A was discussing the
story. The use of trust funds was found to be
added to the list of charges against the firm, and
the ignoble purposes of expenditure having
hilcd nothing was left to meet the demands OF
enraged creditors.
had no mother to share the grief, no sister
or brother to Tighten it. was all alone | was
not srong-minded girl to face the troubles,
and so shut myself up alone until the funeral,
refusing to see even Charlie. Then | ran away
at night had one friend in Cleveland to
whom dared conldo all, and went to her. |
wrote to Charlie and told him should never ask
him to fnIdll his VOWS to me, releasing him from
our disgrace, and praying God to bless him
ever, bado him farewell.
For days after arrived at Cleveland, was
utterly prostratcd; b0t my friend was kind as
knew she would be, and when was able to
think, aided me in all my plans | had brought
nothing from home but the ono mourning suit |
had worn to the funeral, and Charles carbuu-
cles. They were my own, bought with no
stained money, and clung to them, as the one
mcmento Of the past might dare to retain.
Mrs. Muuroe, my dear, dear friend, was n
widow, and childcss, living upon an income
that returned to her husbands family upon her
death not wealthy, but occupying good po-
sition in society. She had been an old friend of
my mother's and had visited us more than once,
alWays-urgiug me return the visits but, unable
to win my fathers consent to part with me for
so long journey, for it was three days rail
ing ride from my old home. As soon as | was
able to undertake teaching, Mrs. Munroe exerted
herself to procure me scholars, and soon had Il
class that paid ~ an income sufficient for my
modest wants. For six years | had u home in
my friend S house, she alone knowing that Miss
Jane Gray was the missing Ella Thorne adycr-
tised by her relatives, more to save their own
reputation than from any interest in her fate
| made, no doubt, II nine days wonder in A.
ana then my uncles, aunts aud cousins probably
forgot my existence. Charlie, perhaps, was one
Of those seeking me- but was resolved never to
share my fortunes with his. Some more fortu-
nate bride, with wealth an unspotted name,
argued, would never grudgc me my memories
and my carbunces.
When the death Of my friend and bcneiactrcss
was added to my list Of sorrows, was known
enough in Cleveland to retain my scholars, aud
found new home with Mrs. Burgess. Need
again say that New Years day was the bittercst
anniversary of the year.
was still sitting with locked door, brooding
over the past, unconscious that Christie had
been gone three hours, when Mrs. Burgess came
to my room, demanding admtmnce in an ex-
cited voice. opened the door at once.
co. Miss Jane Miss Jane p she cried,
" "Charlcs has come Charles has come and he
wants to see you !"
" Wants to sec mc?'
"Oh, yes It's the strangest thing altogether
He has been here more than an hOur he met
Christie at the party and only think, he has
been home over three months part of the time
in A., and part here, trying all the time to
iud US, so it was no wonder Christie's name
struck him Mt once at the party lie talked to
her a little while, and then came to me. But
am talking on, and forgetting we are keeping
him waiting. You will come downW
&" But what can he possibly want of me !"
!" To thank YOU | guess, for sending Christie
to the party. lie knows she could not have
gone but for your Kindness"
Oh, well, that will keep, excuse me this eve
ming, dear Mrs. Burgess, and will be intro
duced the next time he calls"
Only half satisfied, she went down stairs to
return in few minutes with the extraordinary
message -
Charley says he must see you, Miss Grey, "
Well, win come then, said /, thinking it
an old gentlemans whim, and not worth a dis
cussion.
1t was some moments before was presentabe.
The traces Of weeping had to be balhed from my
eyes my hair was disordered where | had
leaned my weary head against my chair and
needed some moments Of quiet before | was fit
to face stranger.
went down stairs very slowly. It was pain
ful 20 me Of late years to meet strangers, feeling
as did, to some extent, like an imposter and
didn't want to be thanked for Christie's dress,
and was half inclined to turn and run away
again to my own room before | reached the foot
Of the staircase.
went into the dining-room moment first
and there heard little hustle Of arrival. Chris