American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1872-10-26

Here Lefty raised her large gray eye
with plaintive look, saying, in Il depre
catOry manner, mamma, do love you
You know that do!''
s'But,' continued Mrs. Dormer. in
martyr-spirit, sweetly self-forgetful, 81
some kind of family pride: you woult
scarcely like your fathers name (yOl
loved him) to he dragged through TIN
mire. as it must be-
80 mammal! mammal cried poo
Lefty, breaking down in sobs and tears
do not mention poor papa's name in thu
business: there is sacrilege enough in il
without that ~
I "You are hard on me, Lefty" said Mrs
Dormer, tears in her eyes too; ''but per
haps L have deserved il and if it will
make matters better for you'll am sorry
for you my poor child - she added, witt
a genuine burst OF feeling rare in her.
| Then the two women, the ice broken
| clasped in each others arms, sobbed Out
their grief in concert; which, at least, de
stroyed tie GOODNESS that had sprung up
between them, and made them partners in
suffering, not, as formerly, antagonists
and enemies.
While they were sitting there, both feel
ing the sacrcdness of the anguish of the
|
| that Mr.. MOunsey was in the drawing
room, the time of his daily visit having
arrived.
Lefty, what am 1 to say to him ?''
asked Mrs. DOrmer, drying her eyes, yet
still weeping. Am to tell him yes, OF
no? He has come for his final answer to-
day and l dare not put him off any
longer"
81 cannot mamma, till | have seen
George" sObbed Lefty. 8 If it is only q
question of this money, George may help
us. So leng as thought you wanted me
to marry for a settlement only, did not
mind refusing you and 1 could not put
George forward. could only remain true
to him, and hope for the future; but if it
is money, that can be paid off, mamma
if he can raise the sum you want, will not
this set you free? and then will you not
release me?''
Certainly, if 1 could get out of the
mans debt l would not press you, my
dear. But it would be splendid provi-
sion for you =" said Mrs. DOrmer regret
fully, looking back to the fiesh-pots.
Y GU must come yourself now, Lefty
dare not face him alone any more. All !!
my child, you little know what my life
has been of late between you BOTH" she
added, shuddering.
~. II will ,g 60 with you, mamma," said i'd
And they went together, arm-in-arm !;
the two who had been SO long estranged
suddenly became friends.
81 auger well from this happy compan-
ionship," said Mr.. MOunsey calamity, as
the two women entered the room. 81
my term of probation at last come to an
end?'
This last was addressed to Lefty, with
a tender air that accorded ill with his
fierce and fervid face.
81 have just heard that mamma owes
you money" said Lefty, plunging into
the heart Of the matter at bound.
"a mere nothing, my dear"
Don't call me dear, sir.' interrupted
Lefty angrily.
Indeed, absolutely nothing-not so
much as cobweb between Mrs. Dormer
and her sOn-in-law; rather large sum, l
confess, between Mrs. Dormer of the Cot
tage aud Mr.. Mounsey of MOunsey Park.
You see l am a man of business, my dear
young lady-pardon the slip, it would
come and though prepa red to do all that
Is handsome by my relation, not prepared
to give away my money to individuals
who have no claim on me. Don't you see
the justice of this for yourself?'
eyes, said Lefty straightly. ''Then
the whole thing is mere matter of money.
If can get this loan of yours to mamma
paid off, shall hold myself free from the
promise she has made for me. If l can
mott
''This, my charming Lefty will be re-
ceipt in full of all demands" interrupted
Mr.. MOunsey. taking her hand i'm his, and
fOrcibly kissing it. She wiped it with her
Immediately after, with an
air OF the deepest disgust; and the man. |
fierce face took a dark look it was well she |
did not see.
At this moment, there passed the win
driU
of four, two of whom were men. and two |
women. The men were the Cobbolds, |
old and young Will, both dressed in their |
Sunday best, and both sober; which, for |
the elder of the two, was a blessed priv |
ilege, becoming daily rarer. The women |
daughter Mary. The front door stood |
open, as is so often the case in the coun-
try, where there is neither fear nor dam
ger /; and the party entered the hall with |
out knocking. They did, however, knock |
at the drawing-ro door and then they |
all entered. '
'sWhO in Heavens name are you all
and what do you want? Cobbold! young
William ~ cried Mrs. Dormer angrily.
morley Magnus brother Morley Mag
nus! J" said Mrs. Jones in a fearful voice,
wiping her eyes with her shawl. And,
:. Well, uncle, and how are you?'' said
Mary, who was pert young. woman in
her way.
Then Mrs. Jones fell on his neck and
kissed him and Mary took his hand, and
shook it heartily sideways.
who are these lunatics ?' said Mr..
Mounsey, with fine air of disdain. He
lid not start, nor blush, nor show anv
other emotion than that of surprise, tenn
pered with pity and contempt:
our own sister. sir" said old Will.
My wife, Mr.. Mounsey," chimed in
The younger man and Mary, with her
head in the air, repeated airily, ''Your
niece, uncle.''
'Sister!. 1 have no sister. Who dares
20 say 1 have sister?'' said Mr.. Mounsey
If MOunsey Park fercely.
g Hear to him! Hear to him how he
lisowns his own flesh and blood ~ cried
Mrs. Jones, more tearfully than before.
: o Morley Magnus! that ever 1 should
nave lived to see this day! And mother
md me has always looked for you to come
when your time was out, and you was
rec man once again; and father died in
rouble, and the bailies took our house! ~
Silence, you old witch 70 shouted the
'wner of MOunsey Park; put Mary, who
lad spirit, flashed out with switch
old man! No one shall miscall
ny mother to my face, if he were twenty
lines an uncle!" And the two Cobbolds
ubbed their hands behind their hats, and
oOked as if they liked it.
My word, but she has spirit, Will!''
whispered the father with grin.
proving nod.
Her tone startled MIR. Mounsey into
udden reflection.
''There must be some mistake here,''
le said in mild voice. turning to Mrs.
)0rmer and Lefty, and speaking in a con-