The Bloomfield times. [volume] (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1867-187?, 1872-01-02

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my friend, had rather have gone on be-
lieving you simply Lawyer Fay, an ordina-
ry mortal struggling up life's sleeps alone
and unaided like myself. But now there is
great gulf between us"
"Not unless your too sensitive pride fixes
it there, my friend. Mr.. Vanstone has, it
is true, been the kindest of fathers to me,
but have little taste for dead mems shoes
and wish for no fortune other than the one
am carving out with my own hands. But
have not the shadow of q claim upon
Morris Vanstone's money. Singular as it
may seem, never knew, until overheard
Laura Winterglade's TRADE this afternoon,
that Mr.. Vanstone had once daughter.
1t is very strange that the story should not
sooner have come to my ears. Though her
father does not, it seems even know her
name or place of abode, cannot believe her
image is quite dead in his heart. There
is, there must be, great wrong to be set
right. With all his riches, alonelier, more
desolate man than Mr.. Vanstone does not
live ; and ! have come at last upon the Sc
cret of his misery. That long banished
daughter, deeply mourned, too, I believe,
may yet be living, and she is surely the
sole rightful heir to her fathers estates"
The two had come now into dark and
narrow street, into whose gloom no friendly
gaslight penetrated. Amber stopped sud-
denly, and said, with little vexation in
her voice:
"There, Mr.. Fay, how forgetful have
been. was so interested in listening to
you that quite neglected to get mother her
grapes. How very long this day must have
seemed to her. l must go back"
But her companion drew her on towards
her own door.
"Please don't be angry" he said, depre-
catingly cor if you are, do not bind me
under any promises not to repeat my Of
fence. The fact is, l took the liberty to
send few trifles to your house this morn
ing. You know I promised Myrtle an or
ange as large as her head, to pay for pulling
her curls the last time was there. Seri-
ously, Amber, / wish you were not so
proud. What, indeed, is the use of living,
if we may not have the privilege of making
happy those we love best ?''
Grateful tears fell on Maxwell Fay's hand,
as the young girl took it in goodnight
clasp at her own door, Watching his tall
graceful form till it disappeared in the
darkness, she sent up thankful prayer to
Heaven for so true friend.
1t was no unpleasant scene that greeted
the girls eyes, as she opened the door of
her mothers little sitting-room.
Mrs. Gray sat in her rocking-ch by the
fire, and looked up, as her daughter en-
tered, with glad smile of welcome. She
was slight, fragile woman, very youth
full still in appearance, and though just re-
covering from long illness, there were in
her face traces of what must once have
been unusual beauty. Her dress, wrap
per of dark gray with a little trimming of
scarlet, was neat and lady-like altogether
the simple yet tasteful appointments of the
rooms and the snowy cloth and bright
dishes on the nicely laid supper-table,
showed plainly enough that nothing could
ever sink Mrs. Gray and her daughters into
vulgarity or degradation.
"Dear child, l am SO glad you have come!
| was beginning to be anxious Myrtle is
good little nurse, but when she is at school
l can't help feeling very lonely. Indeed,
Amber, shall not be sorry when you are
through at Miss Winterglade's. am al.
ways happiest when you have work you
can do at home"
"Then you can commence being happy
Immediately" her daughter said, smiling
and kissing her tenderly. 81 finished
there tonight, and am not sorry either,
mother, for much prefer sewing at home
with YOU" And the generous, self-sacri-
ficing girl fitted about and poured out the
row in the world. Little Myrtle, whose
tongue was quiet only because her sisters
entrance had caught her in the middle of a
dreadful sum in long division, looked up at
last with her pretty blossom of n face alight
with pleasure.
30 Amber do want you to begin, the
very first thing tomorrow morning, and
make my dress. have got just the love-
liest dress-a real Prince Charlie plaid
and such a pair OF button boots And
mother will tell you what else--candy, and
figs, and oranges, and"
Mercy, child do take breath. Have
we a fairy godmothcr among us ?" asked
Amber olanein0 nm Ia her rnother