The Fremont weekly journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County, Ohio) 1867-1877, 1871-05-19

you can't go. 1 can't spare you"
She put one arm around Edith's
neck, and drew the round cheek
down on her lap.
"Do you really love me, Mrs
Beckford?" asked the girl earnestly
Love you, darlingf I could no
more get on without you than I could
without the sunshine. It seems as
though you belong to me. 1 don't
know what you've done to steal nv
heart away; Pm sure" went on Mrs.
Beckford, mutteringly; "but YOU re-
mind me somehow Of the little
daughter 1 once lost. You won't
leave me Edith, dear?''
There was something almost pa
thetic in her pleading voice, as she
touched her withered lips to the
pure forehead Of the beautiful girl.
"You'l stay and be daughter to
me in my old age, Edith. What
should l do without the little feet
that trip so lightly about the house,
and the hand that are forever busy
in my behalf? Tell me you viii stay,
Edithn
'Dear Mrs. Beckford," whispered
Edith, with the happy crimson dye
ing her cheek, "Fl never leave you:
I will stay with you always. OH
am so glad you have learned to love
me-more glad than 1 can tell you.
But, Mrs. Beckford-"
"Well, dear?''
There's something I want to tell
something I have kept back from
you," faltered Edith with her fingers
nervously twining themselves round
the old lady's slender Wrinkled hand.
"Mrs. Beckford, I am"
But Mrs. Beckford had started to
her feet, with a low, half-suppresed
cry.
'Hush! did l not hear his foot
step 1t was something more than
the wind among the evergreens-it
was my boys foot upon the thres-
hold! He has come back to mep'
She rushed to the door, and threw
it wide open.
Ernest! My boy"
And the tai, ,stalwart figure caught
her in his arms, as ifshe had been a
little child.
"Mother, are you glad you see
your Wanderer back once more?"
Nor is it any aspersion on his
manly dignity to state slight mois-
ture was sparkling on his long eye
lashes as he bent to kiss his mothers
cheek? Men are but mortals, even
though they be six feet high, and
framed accordingly.
AS she drew him in, he caught a
momentary glimpse of the figure in
the apartment beyond.
"You are not alone, motherp'
'tNo Edith is with me.'
And who may Edith beY'
"Didn't you get my letters? wrote
all about her."
81 haven't seen a letter for three
months"
Edith was standing where the full
brilliance of the lamp shone upon
the blushing cheek and radiaak hair,
as mother and son entered the room
Ernest stopped short,gaz-
ing at her in beWilderment.
"Mabelw
Ernest, what do you meanP' ex-
claimed Mrs. Beekford, doubtful
whether or not her son had taken
leave of his senses. This is Edith
Moore"
"She is Mabel Moore, my own af-
ianced wifeI' said Ernest, springing
and sealing his words on
lip and brow and cheek with half
1 dozen kisses, while the young lady,
much to Mrs. Beckford's horror,
made not the slightest resistance.
The next moment, however, she
withdrew from his encircling arms,
and glided to the astonished matrons
side.
dearest Mrs. Beckford," she said
softly, 81 may tell you now what was
Just trembling on my lips when Ern-
est's footsteps interrupted me. My
name is Edith, but it is Mabel, too.
Will you forgive me for stealing into
your heart by stratagem? 1 knew
you were prejudiced against one
whom you regarded as mere but
5erhY Of fashion, and l had told Err
lest that 1 would never marry him
your consent. Half an hour
lgo 1 promised never to leave you.
Mother, you will not send me away
rom you nowp
And Mrs.Beckford melted straight
way before the pleading sunshine of
he blue eyes.
81 always wanted daughter" she
aid; "bgt 1 could not bear the idea
ot Mabel Moore, the Bayswater heir
sss."
"But you will love little Edith,
Who came to be your companionY'
81 suppose I ought to scold you
or deceiVing me-" said the old lady;
but II couldn't help loving you
f were to try ever so hard, and
hats the truth of the matter. There,
Ernest, take her, and l Twill ring and
ell Thomas he may serve up din
ler."
All! AS though Ernest cared for
less ETHEREAL than Mabel
ust then!
"You have conquered, dearest"
lie said tenderly. "My braye-hear
ed darling, will the devotion Of my
whole life compensate you for all
his faithful IoVeY'
Mabel thought it would, and Ma
)el was right.
Beecher remembers seeing his
econd mother dance to his fathers