The star. (Cincinnati [Ohio]) 1874-1875, 1875-02-15
TESTED AND FOUND TRUE
[CONCLUDED1

L upon tne Cneeh, anu Iuc emiiep WcIc up-
ON her happy lace, ike sunshine, AL
the day long.
do you pray to God to help you to
love me now p' the old man asked, after
she hadiived with Walter some months.
"Why-what do you mean?' asked
| Agnes, in surprise.
"You used TO pray so, for have heard
lyou," returned NOAH.
A moment the young wife gazed into
her parents face, and then she answer
ed, while she threw her arms about his
neck
"Oh! pray that you may be spared to
us Tor long years in peace and happiness;
but-love your Oh! could not help 1t
if should try. And Walter loves you,
father-he loves you very much, for he
bas told me so many times"
There was methinx more than usual
In the old mars eye now.
One evening, as the happy trio sat at
the tea-table, Walter looked more
thoughtful than was his wont.
4 "What is it, loyew Agnes asked.
"Oh--nothing," the husband said, with
O smile, II was only thinking"
"But of whalr'
"Oniy castle-buildiDg-that's ALL"
"ln the air, Waltcrf' asked Noah.
"Yes-very high In the air." the young
man remarked with laugh.
"But tell us what 1t is"
swell, I'd as soon tell you as not. Mr..
Osg0Od is to retire from our firm In few
days. He is we'll advanced in life, and
has made fortune in the business, and
he will live now tor comfort and health
alone. he has not been very well Of late
years."
"And is that allf'
"Yes."
"But what castle in the air is there
about thatr'
"Oh, that isn't the CASTLE"
'"Then what is the castle~ said Wal.
ter, laughing, but yet almost ashamed to
tell 1t; "this noon Mir. Osgood phtted me
on the shoulder and said he--in his play
iul way-"Walter, FL sell you all my in
terest here tor f50,0O0."
"Ha, ha, ha," laughed Noah Bremen;
"and you thought he was in earnestY"
"NO, no." quickly returned the young
man. 81 did not think that-thOugh l
know. that the other two partners would
willingly have me for an associate"
"But it seems to me that old Osgood
holds his share in the concern at a high
figure"
is a clear capital OF ESQ., 600 In the bust
ness at this very moment; and then think
OF all the standing debts and good will
which goes for nothing" 1
"Ha, ha, ha," laughed the old man
Then Walter laughed; and then A gnes
laughed; and then they finished their
supper.
On the next evening Walter Adams
came In and sank down upon the sofa
without speaking. He was pale and agi-
tated, and his eyes had a vacant, wan
Waller" cried Agnes in terror, ,"what
has happenedr'
"He's SICK" muttered Noah Bremen
without turning round.
"No, no-not sick" returned the young
man, starting up; "but am the victim
OF some miserable tritiing."
"Eh! how sor asked old Noah, turn
Ing his chair.
"rll tell you," said Walter; with q
spasmodic effort.
81 had some long entries to post this
evening, SO remained in the counting.
room after the res had gone. Twas still
at work When Mr.. Osg0od came In and
placed some papers at my desk, saying
as he did; Here, Walter, these are
yours and then he went out. When ]
had finished my work ! opened the pa.
pers. The first was O sort OF inventory
Of what Osgood had owned in the busi-
ness, and mounted upin square numbers
Of 949S75. The next paper WAS q deed
conveying the whole vast property to
me, and making me partner in the con.
cern upon equal footing with the other
tWOv
"Well," said the old man, humping
his foot upon the carpet, and keeping
time with his hands, ~ don't see any
thing very bad in that"
"But l do" replied Walter, SIT Ia
cruel to trif1e with me thus.n
There WAS something in Noah's eye
again, but he managed to get it out, and
then he spoke thus:
"Walter Adams, when selfish men used
| to hover about my child, ! believed the
same Of you. knew nothing but the
love of money that could influence hu-
man action. My heart had become hard
it was for my sweet child to pour the
warmth and light into my bosom. 1t
was for her to Keep before me the image
OF the gentle wife whom had loved and
lost, but, alas! who occupied place in
that love second to my gold. It was for
my child to open gradually, but surely,
tine fount OF feelings which had been for
life time closed up: l heard her pray
for me--pray that she might love me;
and that was after | had refused to let
her be your wife. saw her grow pale
and sorrOwiul, and 1 knew had done 1t
and she loved me still. And still she
prayed God help her, and TO help her to
do whatp Help her to love her father.
was killing her, and she tried to smile
upon me. One evening heard you both
coIversing in the old hut. My child
chose misery with duty to her father
rather than break that duty in union
with the man she loved. And you
uttered prayer. You prayed that l
might be made penniless-stopl hear me
through! You would then show your
dlsinterestedness. / walked away and
pondered. CoSld it be that had found
man who would love an old wretch like
myself with no money! If it was SO,
then that would break the last layer Of
crust from my soul. i Determined to
test you. had gained y glimmering OF
ligbt-my heart had begun to grow
warm-and / prayed tervently that i
might not be disappointed.
Iwent to the bank and drew out t-s 50.-
600 in bills. That night my miserable
hut was set on tiro--or-a-caught fire.
/ always think my candle did il. But
the old shell burned down, and room was
made Tor a better building. l came out
with wrong trunk and the other trunk
was burned up. But the money was'.
I l.. 4 = Ct