The Lincoln County herald., 1873-01-22

Now for the Grst time Mrs. Elliot gave
way to her feelings and wspt, for she
OF her husband and his love,
and how his benevolence to strangers was
so fortunately. for her and Cecile, repaid.
The rene membrancs Of her days of trial
was like . veil lifted, as the prospect Of
the future rose before her. No more
thought for tomorrow "wherew,thal
they should be clothed, and wherewithsl
they should be fed" such as the poor
alone can feel. No more purse proud 10.
science from little minds should she or her
beloved child have to feel; and how many
oppressed in heart and down trodden in
spirit she could help; how many or.
phans and widows could she now comfort
and aid with her newly acquired wealth
Claude did indeed congratulate them
from his heart, yet . sad feeling was
blended with bis sympathy in their good
fortune. He was only clerk for his
father, and would Mrs, Elliot bestow her
beautiful and richly endowed daughter on
himself? The gloom upon his hand.
some face was road instantly, and inter.
preted rightly by the clear sighted glance
of love which "teaches cunning even to
innocence" aud Cecile becsws so atten-
tive to him, that Mr. Dunbar, who had
been looking with pleased eye upon the
winsom, lassie," saw it would be use
less to pay court 10 that quarter, so be
politely drew his chair near to Mrs.
Elliot and began speaking to her about
business.
II am keeping you up beyond your
bed time," at last, SAID Claude, with o
sigh, $50 good night, aud bright dreams
to one and all.
Don't 90 yet, Claude, as I promised
Mary TO send her a piece Of music by
you. Wait till Mr.. Dunbar leaves" she
whispered, as she went to the musie.stool,
assisted Of course by Claude, 10 search
among the loose sheets for tho piece for
Mary.
Whatever she told him afterwards dur.
ing the search was certainly of magic
power, for he returned to bid Mrs. Elliot
and Mr.. Dunbar good night" with as
happy a face as an accepted and hoping
lover wears.
"If you will allow me, I will intrude
my company on you. MIR. Spencer, for l
really cannot tell which way | must go
to find my hotel. 'Tis the United States
can you direct me"
"With pleasure; 'tis but little dis
tance from my home"
Mr.. Dunbar accordingly left with
Claude, having received y pressing invi-
tatiou to dinner from Mrs. Elliot, for the
next day, and Claude, also, was bidden tc
the feast. aud the bearer of special mes
sage to Mary, begging her to como to
Cec,le directly after breakfast. Both
Mr.. and Mrs. Spencer were included il
the Invitation for, as Mrs. Elliot CRATE
fully remarked. they were the first tt
try to sooih her grief, Why should the,
not be the first to particip ipate in her JOY !
1t would he impossible to depict tho
happiness of mother and daughter, al
they thus sat comfortably talking owe
their plans for the future-raisel as the!
hal been, almost uiraculously, from pov
erty to wealth.
"Mother," whispered Cccile, as sh'
knelt before her mother. with her arm
on her lap, her sweet face lit up viii
bushes aud smiles, "dear mother, | als'
must tell you something. To. night o
we we're returning from Mr.. Spencer 9
Claude and the bright face now scarle
with timid embarrassment, was her
buried iu her molhers shoulder, willis
her voice trembled as she continued
-"yes, mother, Claude told me that h
loved me dearly. and asked me to bscom
his wife. May II"
"Do you love him so we'll that you ca
leave your old mother for his sake, N.
Cecils?''
"Oh but mother, I would not leav
you. We three could live so hsppil
together, and you would feel that you ha
not lost q daughter, but had gained a sor
Poor Claude grew quite sad, though Z
the same time he rejoised in our goo
t fortune, for he feared that it would max
difference IN your vicws aud mine.
I told him, however, that it would not"
you did, Miss! Why, that va
talking pretty we'll when one takes int
consideration that it's your first lov
affair. However, l am SO happy that
can deny you nothing; so l shall te
Claude that be may take you, and wei
come for l shall be glad to 10 rid {
, you"
"Oh not so FAST" said Cecile, laugl
; ing glesfuily, like a happy ch'ld. "Yo
shall not get rid Of me quite so fast. 70
may be sure that wherever l go. m
mother goes with me, 10 help me, "a
+. love me as her life lous pet"
The night was we'll advanced befo,
they retired. Tho next morning earl.
Mrs. Elliot was up marketing, buyiu
.. and making preparations for her dinn'
: party, for many articles had to be pu
/. chased to replonish the dinner cquil
meuts Of that before slim Household
, . Mary Spencer Who had come As r.
J quesied, early, and Cecils too, we're I
! busy as bees helping to adoru the room