The Republican journal., 1875-04-22
conspicuously in the midst, for it was the

ohiJ oiio VI eieto opCNlC
She tried to appear very devout as the
siivery notes OF the impressive Easter ser
mon tell upon her ear, but. in truth, sht
was trying to catch a glimpse Of Phiil
Aylesbury's face.
Alter the services were over he stepped
up to the altar and was examining it.
"Can you tell me whose Offering this
is?' Philip questioned Of the sexton
"Oh, yes; Miss Cornelia Arbuthnot':
was the response
Miss Arbuthnot!' He turned, and she
stood beside him.
"Where did you obtain this 81 he asked
is it not beautiful, Mr.. Aylesbury?' p
she queried, touching its soft, shining
leaves
Lovely, exquisite. A gem among
flowers. that is seldom seen in this coun
try" was the rapturous response.
''But-where did you get it?"
1T would be useless for HE to tell you
1t was all the person had, so you can get
! none for your conservatory.
| He smiled half impatiently
81 did not intend to try and procure
one," he said II only wished to know
who 1t was that owned it, | never knew
of but one specimen brought to this coun-
| try"
| Miss Arbuthnot's cheeks took on deep
ert1ush as great fear stole into her heart
Miss ArmorY spoke Of it as a link from
her past life-might not her past by some
mysterious chance be connected with
Philip Aylesbury?
"She shall not see him." she thought
Then in low. sweet voice she responded
You force me to a confession. A poor
| old lady brought ito me yesterday, and
gave her fifty dollars for it."
"Did she say where she got ii ~ he
| asked
eyes, in u casual way she mentioned
young girl who boarded with her, but
sickened and died"
The color lett Philip Aylesbury's face,
and she could see that his nerves We're
shaken by the intelligence
Il am glad | was quick-witted enough
to throw him off the SCENT" she thought
to herself. There has been something
serious in the matter"
81 will not 60 home with you at pres
ent, thank you." said Mr. Aylesbury, hand
ing Miss Arbuthnot into her carriage. Il
may call round this evening"
Miss Arbuthnot smiled sweetly and
then waved her hand to him as the coach
rolled away. At that instant her eye fell
upon Kate Armory stealing into the
church.
."Good heavens! The Fates defend them
from meeting!" she calculated.
The little sewing girl stole into the
church, and advanced timidly down the
aisle. She wished once more to look upon
her plant, tor some subtle instinct told her
that Miss Arbuthnot was not sincere in
her promise to return it.
The crowd was leaving the church
there was only one OF two within, and no
one paid attention to Kate Armory bend
ing over the plant
They all left but her, and the sexton
stood waiting at the door impatiently for
her to pass out. when Philip Aylesbury re-
turned
"Who is that within?' he questioned
Il do not know. SIR
aisle, and his eyes fell upon the profile of
the young girl there; his color tlickered,
and he trembled. lie stepped up to her
quickly; one glance at the beautiful face,
and he was assured that the supposed dead
stood before him
"Kate, my wife" he cried. in n thrill
ing tone.
''PLiliP!'
He drew her to his bosom, and there
amidst the sweetness and perfume OF the
Easter blossoms, these two, SO long sepa-
rated, We're reunited.
II thought you were dead" he Whis-
pered
And believed you had forgotten me, .
she returned.
Forgotten you, My darling, You little
knew how well loved you, to deem me
capable Of such thing
He recalled his carriage, and together
they went to his home, the handsomest
residence in the city.
There she told him how his father had
failed, and all her wealth had gone with
his.
Philip Aylesbury bowed his head in
shame Kate had been his fathers ward,
and Philip had loved her from boyhood {;
but his father objected to their union. He
sent him to India, as soon as he LETT col
lege and when Philip returned he brought
this very plant which decked the Easter
altar to Kate lie importuned his father
to give his consent to their marriage then
but the old man was obdurate, and soon
procured another errand abroad as pre-
text for sending Philip off. Before he left
however, he and Kate were married secret
ly. Six months later Philip heard that his
father had failed lie hurried home to fine
him dead, and Kate missing. His father
failure had not affected him, for his moth
er's wealth had come to him in such ;
manner that his father could not touch it
In vain he searched for his wife, until he
believed her dead.
He did not call upon Miss Arbuthno
that evening, and she wondered at his for
getfulness but few days later he sen
her card d-'sMr. and Mrs. Aylesbury"
Cornelia went Immediately to call upol
them. She must see lUhO had been he
| rival.
"Kate Armoryn' she said to herself, a:
Philip introduced her to his lovely wife
more lovely than ever now in her new
found happiness and costly attire.
Her call was short. and when she re
turned home she flung herself upon tn,
couch in her grief.
''Oh, that fatal flower" she walled, 9
wish had never seen it y
How soon do you anticipate maxim,
me my PRESENT." inquired her sister, ma
liciously
'.Neverr' she snapped, "never! | be
,eve you knew all about it! Y
The Arbuthnots are still getting along
in their apparently genteel way, but II
eligible match has yet appeared tor any
the girls. 1t is safe to say that Miss Al
buthnot has never made such another tio
raj offering on Easter to the church.
There is enough of heroism and neiv
in the way a Tennessee locomotive engl
neer met his death to temper with syn
pathy the judgment which his toolhard
ness deserves. He was employed on tn
Georgia and East Tennessee Railroad
and was cautiously working his way oye