Litchfield enquirer., 1874-04-23

him, and his patron, returning to Eng i land, left him at a German University. Three years after that first letter from l abroad had filed the fishing village with l great astonishment, it was to receive a greater or1e A handsome, graye-looking gentleman. with kindly, gentle words for all he met, walked from the station to ! Mrs. Vaughan's cottage, and there put his arms about the slight figure of the lit- tle.washerwoman and held her to his heart I while she sobbed out aloud Tn the strength and weakness of her joy. Duddgha, standing by in shy bewilderment, a grave i and gentle girl of seventeen, felt the won derful charm of his face when he turned to l take her too within his arms: and, ill a cry of gladness, there broke from her the old pet name for him, which had not passed ! her lips since she was a child, and he had been used to carry her out upon the full legends of the sea.
 Next morning Owen walked up to the great house on the bank, to see, to repay, and once again to thank Sir Bulkfey. who with genial handshake, eyed him curi- ously and asked where was the s1OO. Here, sir, said Owen, touching his
 
 here."
 And Sir Bulkley, laughing heartily at the thought of receiving the money. felt that the debt had been discharged in the way he best liked. Now fell the second cloud on Owens life; cloud whose lengthening shadow was to reach the end. Before he left Ger many he had obtained the appointment of second master at the grammar school in Vicester, one of the first, if not the very first in England, And it was whispered that to win this appointment was almost equal to winning the head mastershlp, be- cause Dr. Hope was very anxious to re- sign, and his second master, who would necessarily perform many of his duties temporarily, would stand the best chance of succeeding him. Proudly Owen told his mother and sister this, as he pictured glowingly the easeful, restful life they should lead with him. Then fell the cloud, darkening at once his loving antic- ipations. The mother would not leave her cottage on the beach.
 ''Im too old tree to bear such nov ing, Owen, dear lad," she said. ''It would kill me to set in a new home now; I'd rather tarry where your father lived; no other place would ever be the same to me-"
 t'Not the home which I would make you, mother; where you shall do what you like all day; only being there to make it home for me ?"
 But his pleading was of no avail, though he never wearied in it.
 ''You shall not work, then, mother" he said at last, feeling that he must be con- tent with that.
 ''Not work?" she echoed, as if the pros- pect were most dreary. "Why, Owen, I should soon be tired of my life-a fret ting, idle old woman. No, dear; let your mother live and work just as she has been used to; thats the kindest for her; and Duddgha chooses to bide with me-
 So Owen, all his loving dreams faded now, took possession of his solitary rooms, and the pleasure which he might have had in sending his frequent gifts to his mother was destroyed by her oft-express- ed wish to have nothing more than she had been used to through her lowly life: nothing more than her boys cherished let ters and her proud knowledge of hisgood-
 He lived at first busy but almost sad dened life at Vicester, too deeply studi- ous to make many friends; but at last he found in Dr. Hopes household sweeter companionship than he had ever dreamed of. A pleasant, genial household was that of the head-master, and here Owen was always made most welcome. liked and respected for himself alone. Dr. Hope, on whose young strength and power he had learned to lean in many ways. Mrs. Hope, doubling nothing of the young sc ha recommended by those who stood high on the worl1's ladder. encouraged his visits and made them pleasant to him, with that subtle delicate tact which some ladies possess so preeminently: and Alice, their only child, greeted him always with her gladdsst smile, flushing brightly when she heard his step upon the pavement of the court, as she daily watched for his coming.
 But no one saw his eyes gladden. in her presence; no one saw his hand tremble when it met hers; for Owen, always re- membering the cottage on the beach where his childhood had been spent, and where his mother and sister toilcd, kept close, firm grasp upon the burning hope which sometimes rose within him stronger than his strength. and placed between himself and Alice the shadow of his early poverty: so much the darker from her own frankly avowed pride and pleasure in her old hon. orable name
 ''It is always well for a man who would attain good position in my line of life, to have on his side good birth and a good name, followed up ofcourse by an Eng fish university education"
 So the doctor would say sometimes, and Owen could laughingly argue in fla vor of the German education, and let the other criticism pass. But though he could so laugh it off at times, the strain was slowly telling upon him, and at his soli- tary fireside he: would make resolution -bravely enough he could make there. not to go to the Schoolhouse save on rare and necessary occasions; and when the hope of which he was scarcely conscious was mastering him, he would travel to Ferrybank, and again plead with his mother, in the; low, dark cottage which grew to seem more and more gloomy to him on each visit. Still no pleading, even of his, ayailed. s
 ssBut, mother, if you will not come to me-" supplicated Owen, sslet me find you another home. You shall choose where: it shall be in this very spot, if you like; on- ly let it be free from gloom and discom- fort"
 But the mother pleaded in her turn to be left where she was happiest; and, ST. fenced once more, Owen sought to beauti- fy the place little by his generous gifts. But no; these made no difference in the poor dwelling. All the money that he sent his mother was put sacredly away. 'sWhen I am zane. Duddgha," she said to her daughter, s.you will find it all un- touched. and you may want it then"
 It was Christmas Eve, and Owen was to dine at the Schoo1house He entered the long, warm room just as Alice, with her hands full of flowers, came in from the greenhouse. While they fingered togeth- CT arranging the flowers, she wooed him on to talk of what she felt he loved, and knowing that home would be near his heart this Christmas time, asked him of his mother and his sister.
 sI never like to mention your sisters name, Mr. Maugnan." she said. s.because