Port Tobacco times, and Charles County advertiser. (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1845-1898, 1872-02-23

Ross disappeared in the stormy darkness,
"shall we. pet? Let's see what we can
do to help him ? he's promising lad and
an honest one, Tn sure. Mr.. Lenox,
you're in need of an errand boy. why not
try him? l wish you would"
The jeweller consented. to Pansie's
great delight. and on the following day,
Ross was duly established as errand boy
in the fashionable establishment.
Fifteen years after, one clustering March
morning, a young man sat behind the
counter of thriving jewelry establish
ment in one of the northern cities. He
was a handsome man, scholar and a
traveller, man of taste, intellect and
money, for he was junior partner in the
firm, which was a prosperous one. But
despite all this good fortune, Ross Dunbar
was not happy. His mother and little
Flora had gone to their long home. and
he was utterly alone, without kith or kin
in the wide world.
Sitting alone that morning, with the
roar of the March winds in his ears, his
thoughts went running back to the days
of his boyhood-to his mothers humble
home. How vivid the past seemed, and
how dear and sacred, despite its privations
and sorrows! His eyes grew dim and his
heart swelled. All were gone over the
river of death, over the wide waters of
time and change.
A tender smile softened his sad face as
he recalled that stormy night, when he
sat sobbing on the steps of Mr. Fontenay's S
mansion, and little Pansie. taking pity on
him. dropped him her string of emeralds.
Darling little Pansie. the remembrance of
her sweet face, as he saw, it through the
snow-wreaths that night, haunted him
constantly. In all the fifteen long years
never for one hour had he forgotten her.
But she was gone, lost forever
| His reverie was broken by the entrance
of customer, lady closely cloaked and
ITzeiled She rpre.aahed the corn ~ g;th
"a jewel-oase in her hand.
"Would you buy these. sir y she asked
simply, in clear sweet voice that stirred
the young mans heart as no other wo-
mans voice had power to do.
He took the casked and unclosed it and
spread out its contents A watch, exquis-
ite and costly, diamond ring, one or two
rubics and an emerald necklace Ross
Dunbar barely suppressed cry of sur
prise, as his eyes fell upon it. He turn
ed it over with eager trembling fingers,
and there on the tawny clasp was the
name, the sweet, dear name that had lived
in his heart for so many long years: ''Lit-
tie Pansie"
"You wish to sell them all ?" he asked
striving to steady his voice, and the wild
throbbing of his heart.
The lady hesitated an instant, then she
put out slender hand and drew the en-
eralds towards her.
Il dislike to part with this" she said ;
''it was my fathers gift-and-and-but
no matter, take them all, [ must have the
money"
! In her eagerness she had thrown aside
veil, revealing lilly face lit by lustrous
sapphire eyes. Ross Dunbar stood silent
a moment, every nerve in his manly frame
thrilling with supreme delight. He had
found her at last, tie one idol of his life.
"They are very fine gems" he said. af-
ter moment. ''and I am willing to give
you fair price-suppose we say one thous-
and dollars, will that do %
The girl flashed dazzling glance of
glad surprise from beneath her heavy veil.
$50 much as that?" she said, tremu-
lously. "You are very kind, sir. o,
you cannot know how this money will help
mel"
The young man made some polite reply
, and proceeded to put aside the jewels and
, draw up check for the money The
March winds were still clustering without
and the girl shivered and drew her wraps
closer as she started out.
'.Wont you let me run down to the
bank for you 2" said the jcweller. catching
up his hat. You can play shop lady the
, while, it wont be but minute or two"
'But I'm troubling you so,' she falter-
ed.
Not bit; just take this warm seat,
please, you'll not be likely to have any
customers. And seating her beside his
desk. he took the check and hurried out.
Pansie Fontenay threw back her veil,
and leaned her bead upon her hand, a
puzzled, reflective look on her sweet sad
face,