Delaware Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1843-1874, 1873-11-24

Such was the true though the ambiguous
statement made by society four years later; bui
! Colonel had taken to drinking. aud, Ia hi:
swim, downward career, dragged wife and child
with him out of society's sight and mind.
"Mrs. Oliphant, did you say?"
Eyes, sir, widow with one chIld--a boy two
or three years DID,"
"She wants lease for twelve months, yoll
say, and intends to advertise for few board.
ers."
$50 she stated. She came to the office yes
terday, and seemed disappointed when / told
her the owner had concluded to withdraw II
from our agency and occupy 1t himself. II suit
her. she said, better than others on our list saud
promised to speak to you about it,
"YOu mentioned my namep"
81 did not. ] told her that possibly you
| would be In the Office this afternoon, and
there she Is nowl" and the clerk advanced &c
meet her.
"a tall, slender figure, clad In heavy mourn.
| Ing robes, with Grape veil laid back from an
almost death-like face and snowy haIr~thai
was what Russell Dayton saw.
1.-THE gentleman spoke Of has just come In :
the clerk was saying. "This way,f you please
madam, }" and In another moment she was In
troduced to her fathers former associate Rus
sell Dayton.
1t was shock 10 both, but the lady was
the first to speak. and without any emb arass-
ment.
shave never heard from you since you leI,
the city, Mr.. Dayton MY father often spoke
OF you during his last days. Is 1t long since
your return?'
81 was away from New York but q short
time. My mother died suddenly, and 1 have
found in absorbed business lite the only re-
lief possible for Whist was to me an unspeakahle
loss. Forgive me for my selfish allusion. The
years bring sorrows. You have not been with
out your portion.
you would hardly have known me, think,
and she smiled family as she touched her hair;
sand yet this Is the work of five years only
Does 1t seem longer than that since l saw yo,l
In my fathers house? But must not speak of
those old days." she added hurrledly "lye
nothing left to remind me of them now.'
"NothlngP" he questioned. "Then am
more fortunate than you. With your permis-
sion, will send you package, very little
one, which you may return if il does not prove
acceptable. In case you should care to keep
II, however, will only ask In return the privi-
lege of calling upon you.n
She flushed slightly. She had not altogether
lost sight of the past, and It's contrast to the
present home, II he came at all. Then she gave
him her address without hesitation.
~ an glad to find that you are thu owner of
tue house l am so anxious to secure for the
coming year Have you decided to let me have
1t, Mr.. Dayton
~ hear that it is your intention to take
boarders, Mrs. Oliphant. If l thought you
would count me as one OF them, should be in
cined to obllge you in the matter,l had thought
Of keeping the whole of 1t to myself for bach
elor's hall. Will 1t incommode you very much
II l do not decide till tomorrow
"Not at all. as feel almost sure you will let
me have II, MIR. Dayton, and shall be glad to
see you when you come"
But the little package came first, early the
next morning. tiny box holding leng dea ID
rosebud and slip of paper, on which was
written in hand she had once known SO well:
"My very best wishes for one of my best
fde nds," and underneath her own name, and
tue date, january 10, 1857"
ut was such beggarly little gift, to be kept
all these long years." she said to him few
hours later, when, clasped in his strong arms,
she smiled up at him from her happy resting
place.
sit was much to me-" he replied. sit was
all dared to ask for then"
"Aud all dared to offer, though the whole
l.. art was yonrs then truely as Il Is now"
"Ithink you may have tie house, Louisa"
he said demurely, as he left her at the door -
81 sec you have forgotten to ask about it, and
the only CONDITION | will name Is that you will
share 1t with me-" And, as the condition was
not hard one, there could be no objection
made.