Whig and tribune. [volume] (Jackson, Tenn.) 1870-1877, 1872-07-20

bic that day, you remember you did
me ioy. How well can recall your
merry dancing eyes, when, after L
had told you Flory had promised me
to send back the ribbon Dick gave
her, and only care for me, you put
your arm over my shoulder and eE-
exclaimed, I'D take dozen of Mas
ter Thornton's thrashings to bring
you such jolly news as that Will"
"Yes, yes, l remember. And
Flory, what of herr" asked Alton
| Mayo.
"Oh, don't you know? The little
f1irtl She married Dick, after max
ing me think was the only one she
cared for, and Just about cracking
my brain, not heart. / thank her
| for 1t now. / have never regretted
her loss an hour since, l knew the
one who is my wife. Now, Alton,
| do tell me of yourself? Some of US
BOYS used to think that little fairy,
Master Thornton's granddaughter
would steal into your heart. What
was her nameS"
'Hush-shl Not now; not hereV
| answered Alton Mayo, as the door
opened and the servant announced
supper.
A half hour after, returning from
the supper-room, Mr.. KendAll's 3 hand
was on the library door, when Alton
Mayo said:
William"
Up until they had reached the
door that he had locked an hour or
so before, Alton preceded his
friend. Pausing and drawing out
the key, he said: .E
"You viii know how dearly /
prize your friendship, William, by
bringing you here. Come in. Here
1 generally pass my hours when
alone. You Will, are the first one,
out of our immediate family, that l
have ever permitted to enter. Sit
down. No; excuse me. Take this
chair"
He drew from his friend the little
sewing chair, pushing toward him
cushioned one, saying: This is her
chair"
A strange, inquiring look passed
over William Kendalls face, which
remained and deepened as Alton
moved about the room, uncovering
and arranging many articles. Last
ly, unVailing the picture over the
mantel, he turned and asked softly:
"Do you remember herr"
William Kendall looked, hesitat-
ing while his mind flew back far in
to the past. Then q light of recog-
milton broke over his face, and he
exclaimed:
eyes, certainly. Bless her little
hearth Master Thornton's grand
daughter, Lilly.-Where is she?"
'fIn the spiritworld. Here in this
room, surrounded by everything
which tells of her, here / feel nearer
TO her. Here the world loses much
of its dreariness, and almost feel
her soft breath tanning my brow.
Although gone before me-"
"Gone," said William Kendall, his
eyes wandering over the room.
"Gonel Surely then but now. 1t
seems to me she must only have
stepped out for q moment. Every
thing speaks of returning"
eyes, you have caught the i'm
preston. am glad" answered
Alton. ayes she left me more than
ten years ago."
This seemed hardly credible to
W hEHddAl- L III W VI A-b1DAGs
the piece of embroidery, with the
needle threaded, as if just stuck in,
the little gold thimble near by, a
dainty handkerchief, crushed some
what, and looking as if only mo-
ment before dropped-all over the
room little things telling of wo-
mans presence, caught his gaze.
Across the piano was thrown a |
pretty, soft shawl; near II a little |
plumed hat. Alton Mayo, follow |
ing his friends gaze, arose and open ]
ed the instrument. There, lying as
if still warm from the hands of the
owner, was a pair of little gloves,
with them silver and pearl card
case.
Here, William" said Alton, and
opening the little case he drew forth |
a card, and held it before him.
''Mrs. Alton Mayo" read William,
and asked in a sad voice:
''Were you really married"
''Not as You mean," answered
Alton.
Glow you must have loved her."
said William, looking again on the |
child's face.
eyes, l thought loved the beau
tiful child, but knew not what it |
was to love until she grew to be like |
this"
Alton drew from his bosom a lit
tie case, opened it and held it before |
his friend.
1t was the same face, grown older,
more thoughtful in expression, and
more beautiful.
"Lovelyl l do not wonder you
worshipped her. Do tell me. You
remember left school the day we
had the big fight, and was so agree
ably surprised by getting off all
scot free?''
'I do remember. That day began
the one love of my life
You know l was the first one call
ed up when Master Thornton, in
great wrath, stood holding that ter
rible old rod ready for action. He
wanted me to tell the names of my
companions in the fray. l would
not. As the blow was descending
the masters darling sprang from the
platform beside him into my arms,
her arm spread over my shoulders
to shield them from the rod. In
vain he tried to draw away the baby
girl. What a little mite she was
A perfect fairy child, scarce six
years then, you know. Firmly she
elung, whispering in my ear:
stHold me tight" and with her
grandfather she pleaded: Promise
ffot to fight, grandpa"
In vain he threatened, commanded
and tried to remove her. She was
the dearest thing on earth to him,
and he handled her gently enough,
fearing to hurt her.
''Say no, grandpal No, you won't
strike him, and Pn come 10 you"
HThe rod was thrown aside then,
never again to be resumed. OF
course he could not pardon me and
punish others. After that day /
grew to like Master Thornton bet
ter, and he me. There was a bond
of sympathy between us-our love
for Lilly.
s'The school was different after
this. Even the worst boys became
goYernable. Lilly's eyes possessed
more power than any rewards or
punishments ever had. To me she
was dearer than mother, father, sis
ter or brother.
'sSchool days passed. 1 parted
with her for college life. That was
my first sorrow. But her letters
were my comfort7aye, and inspira-
ton; her love the tahsman that kept
me from vice. Ny constant thought
was to be worthy Of her. I accom-
pIished my purpose at college, did
all my friends expected of me and
1 returned to my darling-slin the
pure, loving, artless child. Anoth-
er absence of two years travel in