Delaware Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1843-1874, 1873-07-07
Lost and Found. j..


withal, In wealth and honors
He had won distinction the bar and on the bench,
and had filed the executive chair of his state.
How deeply his proud heart had suffered, those ia
miliar only with his cold and naughty bearing would
have been surprised to know.
Not very early In lite he married one whom he had
long loved with an ardent devotion, often character
istc of men like him, aud Of which weaker natures
are incapable.
In his early struggles with poverty, he had
He would have suffered his heart to break
sooner than have had ii whispered he was
seeking advancement through an alliance
with rich old Ronald Mason's beautiful daugh-
ter.
But when he could hold up his head with the
highest in the land, he no longer hesitated TO
speak the words he had been so many years
waiting to utter, and which Alice Mason had
been waiting 10 hear.
A few years of unalloyed felieitg followed
their marriage.
Though proud and stern as ever to the out
side world, not the same man was Geoffrey
Peyton at home, his wifi, by his side and his
bright eyed boy prattling on his knee.
There he forgot his pride, save that he felt In
those he loved forgot fame and ambition and
greatness, and remembered Only that he was
happy.
Then came n blow which fell none the lighter
Oh the proud mans head because he gave no
sign of yielding. Death crossed his threshold
took from him, first his wife and then his
child.
The last of his bereavement was peculiarly
distressing.
The child had gone for walk with his nurse
by the riverside, and in moment of inatten-
ton OH the part OF his nurse, had strayed ,ut Of
sight. Soon after, his hat was found floating
| on the water. Alarm was given search was
| made; the river was dragged; but in vain. The
| child was no where to be found. The body in
/ all likelihood had been carried out by the
tide.
| Geolirey peyton bore his loss in silence
| What his grief was no one knew, for no ont
was allowed to look upon it, and sympathy he
would have resented as impertincnce.
Years sped, and Geotlrcy feylou had be
| come AN old man.
i AT his death his large fortune would descens
by law to distant relative,a young man who's
ayarice kept him free from all costly vices
and who, most vices being costly, enjoyed, in
consequence thereof, an excellent reputa'
tivn.
But Mr.. Peyton had opinions OF his own q
] to the disposition OF his property.
Like many men of his caste, he had an aver
sion to the division of his estates; and Will
! not inclined to t.isnherit his kinsman, of whou
he knew nothing but his reputation, which
we have already said was good, thare wss on
other, whose claims he felt it would be unjus
10 overlook.
He Lad brought up i'll his house aud in SOM
SOFT adopted, Gertrude Gray,the orphan da Ugh
ter of an old friend to whom he had been be
holden in his days of struggle, and who had die,
leaving his only child destitute.
| UMr. Peyton's plan duly set forth IN his will
was to settle his property in equal proportions
on Gertrude aud his kinsman, provided the
married each other in agiven period.
If either declined the match, the share of th
l 81 tlaV. u,A h,t
declined, the whole of his fortune was given IL
trust for certain charities.
Three years before the occurrences Of whic
VIC are now TO speak. Georga Hayne had sougl
and obtained employment Of Mr.. Peyton as hi
Secretary.
The young man proved faithful and diligen
| maniesting, moreover, qualities of iDtellet
which induced his employer To encourage th
| devotion OF his leisure time to 4 course OF leg,
study.
George made so good use Of his opportuniie
| that by the end OF three years he was prepaI
! | Ell for admission to the bar.
He had learned other thing besides the la,
. in the meantime. He had learned, tor instanc
: how pretty Gertrude Gray was, and how d
y votedly, he loved Eerthough he was too straigh
forward to tell her so without first asking pc
y mission OF nIr. Peytoh, with whom, at last,
y sought an interview with INN Tor That p'i
. pose.
n Modestly, but unrescrvedly, the young ms
explained the state Of his feelings, aud wi
about 10 express the hope that he might be 1
lowed to speak to Gertrude herself on the su
iec,; when Mr.. Peyton cut him short.
!, is this the return you make for my con
dence,' he eexclaimed-you whom have tru
ed and taken so much interest imp
Il am unconscious, sir,of having abused yo
trust, or ill-requ.ted your Kindness replied t
! youth, with touch Of the others pride in
z manner; nor can perceive augh that Is II
: rehensible in the | onest attachment have d
III day declared for Gertrude Gray.
rx 10 Would you do hnr real service
- Il would die for her! said George earnestly
You can do her a. great favor at less COST
turned the other.
Name it,