The Van Buren press., 1875-05-18
MISCELLANY.
She's Only a Dependent.

Adaline Reynolds sat alone in one Of
the many rooms of her uncle's splendid
city mansion. Yet the brilliantly lighted
parlors were thronged with gay assem-
hIage. Why was she the only one that
was sad?
1t was her cousin Clara's birth night,
and when Clara had been asked who Ad-
line was, the cruel answer was, only a
dependent, a distant relation of fathers.
Adalne had heard the contemptuous
reply, and hence she was alone and weep.
ing.
Adaline sat. her eyes rested on the sill
very moon which was shedding its light
full upon her upturned face. That face
was one Of the most beautiful magma.
bIe. Tears were gathering i'll the large,
soul lit eyes, and one fell upon the small
white hand Alkaline, at this, started up,
as if an adder had stmg her, aud brushed
the tear from her eyes saying:
Back, back to y"nr fountain. Al
though ] am only dependent, will win
a name, and they shall yet he proud Of
their poor cousin.
Slowly Adaline dropped on her knees,
asking God to guide her in the step she
was going to take.
When she arose the guests were depart
ing, for she could hear the carriages, as
they rolled away. Yet she did not retire
with the dawn of day. Her slender fin
gers were flying over the paper on which
she was writing
The morning sun was shining bright
and beautiful Mr. Howard sat alone in
his library. He was thinking Of the past.
Once more the gray haired man was q
child, seated around his fathers liresde,
with his brothers and sisters, listening to
kind Sire's advice, or looking to catch
his mothers love-lt smile Then cloud
came between him and his lite of sun
shine The death angel claimed his fond
ly loved mother; another and another
passed away until all were gone but his
idolized sister Ada.
Her he saw just verging into woman
hood Another vision passed before him
his proud, aristocratic wife She had
deceived him, it mattered not how; it
was too late now for remedy. His
daughters, three in number, had grown
up to womanhood and inherited their
mothers foolish pride
He had heard Clara, the eldest, but the
evening before. say that Adaline was only
a dependent. The words had sunk deep
into his hea t. Was not AdafIne his sis
ter's child2 -, -,T
Again. and Ada passed before him, ar
rayed in bridal robes. He heard her
farewell wori Is. and felt her farewell kiss.
She was going to her western home.
A few short years passed by. when one
dark day letter came, informing him OF
his sisters death, then Of her husbands
and asking him to rear her child as his
own. Did he not love that child as his
own2 Yes, nobly hast thou done thy
duty to thy dead sisters child. But, alas
thy words were the only kind ones Ada.
line received.
While he sat thus, recalling the past,
two soft arms stole around his neck and
a sweet voice said Uncle, what are
you thinking about"
Must tell you that it was about my
little pet Oh, how lonely shall be when
she is gone
Gone where. Uncle ?
why, to Mrs. Westbrook's, Did |
not promise to send you, next month ?
Yes, Uncle, but thought you had
forgotten that am so happy, now, at
the thonght Of going back to dear Wal
nut Hill, once more; not at leaving you,
Uncle and tears came into her eyes as
she kissed him. who cared more for her
happiness than his own.
Again she murmured the words Of the
night before, will win a name for his
sake And in IA few moments she was
walking down the street towards the post
office, bearing in her hand the treasured
thoughts that she had penned when hope
was almost dead within her heart.
'Molherr said Clara Howard, do you
know father is going to send Adaline
back to school again ?
Yes, l know it, and have told him
that she will repay him with ungrateful'
ness
Just then Emma came In with news
PAPER, saving, there is such beautiful
poem written in the Gazette. 1t is call
ed Thoughts Of Heaven and the edit
or has'complimented the authoress whose
name is Lena
Clara read it. and poured forth her
praises on the writer
Aduline was IN the next room, and her
heart bounded with Joy and hope as she
recognized her own poem.
We will pass over the farewell and
Adaines sadness at leaving her kind un.
Gle. The poor dependent is again Mrs.