Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1874-01-08

ShiOuSu Vic ouStCot StICCto VI
London. hurrying on with her fac,
mufiled in her veil, lest any one should
perceive the anguish depicted on it
she walked, till she found herself be-
fore the well known offices of Messrs
Smithson. Thev had been closed hours
earlier; but the old man who was
porter and care.taker was standing at
the door. talking to some curious ac-
quaintances.
Unperceived by the garrulous speak
er, Lottie paused long enough to hear
her lovers name coupled with words
indistinctly caught relating to the large
sums of money that were missing.
ssHis father was here this morning.
as soon as the news was made public, -
the porter went on-"such a respect
able old gentleman" But here his
voice was lowered, and Lottie passed
by, hearing only something about the
young mans broken-hearted mother as
she went but it reminded her that she
was not alone in her grief: that the
loving parents. who had cherished their
son in his childhood, and seen him
gradually expand into the bright, in
telligent man, naiist be well-nigh crush
ed beneath the blow that had SO sud-
denly fallen upon them. Oh! what
was her grief to theirs?
And now Lottic flew 10 her own
haven, the arms of her mother, and
there wept the first tears her burning
eyes had shed.
Shocked, and for some time incred-
ulous, Mrs. Warde, with infinite pa
ii cnce and tenderness, sustained her
child during those hours in which her
anguish WAS almost more than she
could bear.
Never again would Lottie accuse
this dear friend and comforter of being
wanting in sympathy. Who else would
have borne SO kindly with her wild
bursts of impatient sorrow-her rest
less pacings TO and fro-her passion
ate complainings: Who else so skill
fully taken advantage OF her better
feelings to bring her to her knees. and
teach her 10 bow her head to the Divine
will
"How good you are TO me, darling
mother - she sobbed, when Mrs.
Warde had prevailed upon her 10 lie
down. and was bathing her aching
head "and indeed | don't deserve it.
l have been so selfish, so ungrateful,
that if you knew all my hard and bit
ter thoughts you would surely cease to
love me at all :"
Mrs Warde's only reply was to
stoop ard kiss her; and that kiss up
rooted the last fibre of seltishness in
her child's heart. Never again did
Lottie let vanity stand in the place Of
duty; and in the midst of her trouble
she could be huinbly thankful that this
dear mother was still all her own.
All that night she wept and bewailed
herself, but when morning dawned and
she saw how weary and exhausted Mrs.
Wardc was looking, Lottie put her
good intentions in practice and re-
strained her grief.
While her mother rested, she moved
quietly about, dressing the little ones.
whom her altered looks and swollen
eyes awed into unwonted sobcrness !;
nor was it till every task had been ac-
complished that could spare Mrs.
Warde fatigue that she seated herself
at her mothers feet and wept herself
into the sleep Of exhaustion.
But stronger arms We're sustaining
her when, with start, she awoke. 1t
was not the mild face of her mother
that bent over her and smiled at her,
it was Charlie Morrison himself, and
for a moment she believed herself TO
be in happy dream.
Can it be you." she asked wistfully.
"Speak TO me, for | know not what to
think, nor what TO believe.
You NAV believe that Charles
Morrison has committed no act that
disgraces. him. said her rejoicing
mother, who stood by. Need We tell
you more:"
Lottie pressed her hands to her
head, and looked from one TO the other,
till the tender smile on Charities lips
confirmed the tidings.
IL seem too much bewildered TO be
as glad as should be-" she exclaimed.
"Am | really awake has there bee II
no robbery after all: That dreadful
newspaper why did believe the
paragraph l heard Sir John read from
it,"
"Sit down here, you poor, pale
child" said Charlie, "and let Inc help
yon out of your mystiiica,ion. think
it began the night before last, when |
sought you at Sir Johns TO say good
by before l went on a hurried journey,
and to tell YOU the twofold object of
| it."
IL had heard, dear, that the man
who was the cause of all your father
misiortunes was at Birmingham ; and
Messrs. Smithson freely gave me per-
mission to 60 there, and see whether
my remOnstrances, and, if those failed,
my threats to expose his nefarious pro.
ceedings, would induce him to do jus.
tice to your fathers widow and or
phans."
"And you succeeded?'
"Beyond my expectations. l have
just had the pleasure Of putting into
your mothers hands a sum that will
enable her to educate her children will
comfort"
Lottie was obliged to interrupt hin
that she might throw her arms arount
Mrs. Warde's neck, and congratulate
her raptuously. Then Charlie himsel
had to be thanked in loving, tearfu
whispers; and then SO many pleasan
little plans were discussed for tn
widows future that some time elapset
before they recurred to the explans
/, ton.
. "When l had completed my owl
, business, Messrs. Smithson desired m
. to 60 to Sheffield and make some in
I quiries there for them. The drift 9