Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1874-10-22

"Helen," he said. taking my hand,
''why did you not write to me when your
mother died, leaving you at the mercy Of
the unprincipled scoundrel she married. v
II thought you had forbidden US Ia
write"
II did resent your mothers marriage.
1t was an insult to your fathers memory,
but I never dreamed of the monstrous
wrong done you. Only to-day, going to
her lawer for your address, | learned OF
the will that deprives my brothers only
child of the inheritance he left in her
mothers care. You must come with me.
l have one child, your cousin, who was
named as you were, for my mother, and
who is just your age. ~ wish," he added
with a sigh, ~ could say she was strong,
well and beautiful as you are; but she has
been cripple since she WAS ten years old
she is slowly dying in consumption. Will
you not come and be her sister?"
As he spoke he took me in his arms and
kissed me tenderly. My own fathers face
seemed bending over me as gladly con-
sented to 60 with him wherever he wished.
l wrote hurriedly to Godfrey, for there
was much to do. Already the tidings Of
his mothers death had gone to him, but |
wrote 70 tell him that my uncle had come
to take me to Walnut Hill. near Cincin-
natl. aud begged him to write to me there.
As soon as was settled in my new
house. welcomed with cordial love, l
wrote again to Godfrey. telling him Of my
invalid cousin Nellie, and how rapidly she
was failing. dwelt tenderly on her gen.
tie patience, her winsome sweetness, and
the sorrow of her father. and told of nv
own hope of comforting him, when the
bereavement that was Fastening to him
should come. This letter never reached
Godfrey.
| received letters from him irregularly,
for he was moving constantly. but ever
loving and hopeful, looking forward to
his return. planning for our future. NV
happy, peaceful life at Walnut Hill was
only clouded by the gradual failing Of nv
cousin Nellie, who sank to rest upon her
fathers breast, holding my hand, when
she had been my sister for nearly year.
Ny uncle's grief was softened by my
presence. 1t had been my cousins care
70 tell me of all his wishes and tastes. and
| tried to repay his love for me by filling a
daughters place In every way But after
these two years have described, God
frey's letters ceased. Again and again
steamers came in, and no letter came to
me. wrote 10 various points where he
had been, and received no answer. Final
iy my uncle wrote to the house ia whose
employ he travelled. They sent immed-
ate answer:
Mr.. Raymond had resigned his place,
and had gone with an exploring party to
Central Africa"
That was all. Ifhe had found another
love he did not bid the old one farewell
Without word or sign. he went from my
life.
Six years passed away, and my step
father died. In his will he restored to me
my fathers property, nearly doubled by
successful investments. | was indifferent
to wealth when II came TO me. Ny uncle
supplied every want. and had willed his
property TO me, but he was glad that my
lost inheritance came back to me, from
his own sense of justice.
In the six years had lived at Walnut
Hill had gone into society, had read and
studied, keeping my uncle's house, and
leaving no spare time for sorrowful medi-
tation. had suitors, made friends, bu,
the heart | had given Godfrey would not
open tor new love. False or true, God
frey was the one love Of my life, and l
would have no other.
Twas twenty-eght years old, and ten
years had elapsed since my first meeting
with Godfrey. when my uncle's death once
more threw me on the world alone. With
all his wealth added to my own. | was
without one living relative, and strangely
desolate. l never made Intimate friends,
and my home became hateful to me.
left it in the care of housekeeper.
$500 "itH inv pau SohPaillou. Lee. 1
returned to my old home, New York. for
a visit. In the hotel where took a suit
ofrooms l met one my old schoolmates.
She had been one of the few who had
visited me when was earning my living
at a sewing-machine, and had given me
her dresses to make; so we met cordial
ly.
You must come home with me. she
urged. Il am married. you know, and
my husband has a home at Nyack on the
Hudson. We have two little girls and a
baby boy. l am only here on a shopping
excursion and going back tomorrow
You must 60 with me-
She was very cordial, and when her
husband Mr.. Loncelles was introduced to
he. he added his entreaties to those of
his wife, and l was easily persuaded to
make visit to Nyack. Here, Marion
playfully overhauled my wardrobe, and
made me alter and change to her taste.
You look about twenty-five or three
though l know you are older" she said to
me, land you dress like fifty! You mus,
let me dress you"
So my dresses were founced and trim.
med, soft lace relieving the deep black ]
had worn since my uncle's death, my hal
was crimped, and Marian fused over me
AS If l was one Of her own little girls.
had been six weeks at Nyack, when
the little girl told me one morning, with
the appearance of imparting weighty It'd
ings, that uncle Ray was coming home
and a few minutes after Marion came to
my room.
1--WE are to have company" she said.
Your brotherp
$50 the children have told you. They
call him uncle Ray, but he is not relative
He is an intimate friend of Mr.. Lancelles
They were at school together, and fol
years in the same business-house. Thre,
years ago Ray came here and made US