Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1871-02-02

your brother died in circumstances fal
beneath what we expected
The widow put her handkerchief to bel
eyes. Whether a tear was caused by the al
| lusions to her husbands death or to the
altered circumstances, may be left to the
Imagination.
Mary, if you will give me the shelter
of your roof, and mouthful of food for q
few days, perhaps may then find q
friend in whose hands I once deposited a
small sum of money
And if you do not find him, uncle ?
asked Mira, breathlessly.
IF not, child. then the poor old man
must lay his bones in the only refuge left
him-the almshousc.
His listeners were silent, from different
emotious-M Desmond Mortified that
such dreadful word should be uttered
beneath her roof.
What would Leonard says 2 thought
the eldest daughter.
Rosalie, less hardened, began to cry
but Mira, her eyes glistening, her cheeks
crlmson, took the old mans hand.
Never uncle, never! while 1 can
work =
He laid his hand upon her head as she
bent down before him, but did not speak.
You can remain for few days, OF
course. Martin. l will arrange about a
room for you
And Mrs. Desmond, glad of an excuse
to end the interview, withdrew.
Martin did not join his relati yes again
tina. evening, but remained in the little
back bedroom where he was hidden away
Mira visiting him with cup of tea and
plate Of choice cake then, at the old
man 8 request, brought him lamp and
writing materials.
A bright. cloudless morning of the
lovely Indian summer ushered in Thanks
giving Day. Oh how Irene hoped the
uulucky uncle might be too tired or too
sfck-she cared not which-to leave bis
room but no-when they returned from
church, there he sat, in his old fashioned
far-worn garments, disgracing them all ;
and her cheek burned as she slightly nam
ed him to the elegant Leonard Graham,
as MIR. Martin Desmond, a relative Of
my father But, to her surprise, Leon
ard Immediately crossed the room and
shook hands with the old man.
The refined Mrs. Tbayer looked ex-
tremely disguised. and, when Martin
spoke, half closed her eyes, as if to ignore
his presence altogether, while George and
his cousin Rosalie exchanged glances and
whispers. And yet the old man s replies
to the question Of Leonard Graham evia-
ced a style of language at variance with
his appearance, and his manner plainly
betokened that he had, ere now. looked
on better days and been accustomed to
sit at good mems feasts.'
The massive silver upon the table, and
the sumptuous fare of Thanksgiving Day
dinner, with the recherche dessert that
succeeded. somewhat negatived Mrs. Des-
moud's half.expressed hints of their alter
ed circumstances but, at length. the
dinner ended, greatly to the relief of the
entire party.
Come. let US adjourn to the parlor, and
have some music-that is, we young
people, cried Irene, starting up; for [
sec aunt Thayer is going off to have a
conf 1ential chat With mamma.
So poor Marsin was left alone. Even
Mira disappeared, after seeing he had a
comfortable chair near the open window !;
for the old back woodsman found the
Warmth of the room oppressive, accustom-
ed as he had been to the free air of the
wild prairie.
They had dined late, and Thanks
giving Day dinner is not to be hurried
over. TIE sun was almost setting as
Mira, shading her eyes from its rays.
sought, in the solitude of the now desolate
garden, a little quiet nook, where she
might, undisturbed, give vent to the feel
ing which had, all day. SO saddened her
How coldly her mother had treated the
old man Irene had been positively rude
to him. What would become of him
when he left their roof? Then there was
another sorrow, to which the poor girl
dared not give utterance.
Alone, Mira. and tears in your eyss |?
Mr.. Graham l believed you were in
the parlor with my sisters and cousin
so | was, Mira but left it to seek
you
To seek me what will Irene
Mira, your silter appears to be under
some delusion. IT'S true, I have met
her several times in company, and
brought her home, because that duty was
assigned me. But never loved Ierne,
and beneath her beauty discern vanity,
selfshness, unkindness. Mira, yesterday,
in passing, paused moment at the
window. 1t was open, though the blinds
were not raised. and while there became
an unintentional eavesdroppcr. I over
heard your courageous pleading for your
old uncle; to-day witnessed your asten-
tons to him, and said, Mira Desmond
shall be my wife. or no one and l came
here, dear Mira. to say this, and ask
you to be my one cherished. loving wife
Leonard gently drew down the little
hands which covered her face.
will you try to love me, Mira 2
The happy smile and the bright blush
might have assured him, but he eagerly
listened for her words, and repeated
Will you, Mira 2
No, Leonard, I will not try, for I
haze loued you ever since-but oh ! and
she put away the arm that would have
encirclsd her, poor old uncle Martin
| have been awake all night, laying plans
for his benefit, and | cannot marry any
one-not even you, Leonard
Mira my wife uncle shall have
place beside our hearth, seat at our
table. and while he lives q comfortable
shelter beneath our roof 7
The tears in her dark, earnest eyes
thanked him, and Leonard's FIRST kiss
4aa nrasaed unnn her nov male cheAk