Knoxville journal. [volume] (Knoxville, Iowa) 1874-1986, 1875-07-15

Ii a ltN ASth- Lilt MdIlOTtS TectINtu u
letter from Estelle. saying that she had
reached her journeys end in safety and was
among friends 1t was the only letter they
ever received from her
In course of time John and Mary were
married, and settled down on the Mallory
farm, and there for the present we viii
leave them.
One day handsome travelling carriage
drew up before the door of hotel in
quiet New England village. 1t was vln
event in the history of that hotel, for never
had such an establishment been seen there
before Out came the two hostlers, out
came the stable-boys, ont came the bar
keeper, and, lastly, out came the landlord
imself
A gentleman alighted from the carriage
and was followed by beautiful and rich
addressed lady. Bobbing his bare head
and waving aside his subordinates the OBJ
sequious landlord led the way to the par
lor, took the orders of his distinguished
guests and communicated them to his serv-
ants. Then there was an opening and
shutting of doors, ringing of bells, a
rushing to and fro-in short tumult rs
il the Queen had come.
When the travellers were left to them
selves the lady broke into merry laugh
''Oh, it is too droll, Sir Edward; it is
the same landlord who, fifteen years ago,
bade me BECOME for thief and tramp
" The villain / should like to Law my
cane over his back" said Sir Edward
1T isn't worth while-such an insig-
nificant back, said the lady; "only don't
take on airs, thinking all this attention is
tor US. 1t is only for our carriage and
horses and our clothes
BY and by, the landlord having made
some further errand to the parlor the
lady, who was sitting by the window, re-
marked:
"You have pleasant little village
here"
AS Pleasant and thriving village as
any in the county," answered the delight
ed landlord.
"Do you know if there is a family by
the name of Mallory living here." asked
She
There's farmer by that name, ma'am
Mr.. John Mallory-ifits him you mean. ="
"The same, no doubt. He's living,
then-and his mother:"
"She died some six years ago, ma'am,
and it's well, perhaps, considering the
misfortune that's come to the family"
Misfortune
Then you don't know" said the land
lord, delighted to have some intelligence
TO communicate, but marveling much that
this great lady could feel any interest in
the Mallory family. "Well, it's great
misfortune, and the worst of it is, it was
all his own fault. If people will be so
foolish, they must take the consequences.
There wasn't more prosperous man in
town than John Mallory, and, his property
being mostly in real estate, there was no
reason why he shouldn't keep il always,
and his children after him, for real estate
doesn't take TO itself wings and fly away
as other riches do. But what does John
do but sign note for a friend, and now
he's lost everything"
Everything"
Everything-just turned himself and
family out of house and home. That Is to
say, they'll have to go; there's no help for
"He's at the old place now, is he?'
He is, ma'am but he won't be long !;
the sale takes place today
Thanks, ;" said the lady; and then, as
If TO herself, " Poor John! SO like him. -
g You know him?'' queried the land.
lord.
i" He showed me great kindness once,
fifteen years ago | was here, also, at that
time. You do not remember it:'
ut Is very strange, but really, ma'am,
it has escaped my recollection
"Quite likely. 1t was before my mar
riage." And with this the landlord was
forced to be satisfied
The sale was over, and John Mallory
was wandering from room toroom, taking
mute farewell of the house which he
could no longer call his own, when his
little daughter came TO say that lady was
in the parlor who had asked for him.
Every we'll, )" said he, supposing it to be
some neighbor who wished to see him on
trifiing matter of business; but when he
opened the door stranger stood before
him.
She greeted him courteously, and then
said, without any circumlocution:
Il am the purchaser of your farm, and
! have brought the deed, that you may
see if it is all right
He took it lstlessly enough, but as he
glanced over it his countenance changed.
Il don't understand" said he; and no
wonder for the deed was made out in his
own name.
$50 you, too, have forgotten me, as well
as the big landlord up there; but maybe
you will remember Hat," and she held
out queer little purse of Melted silk
John Mallory fixed his startled gaze
upon her face, and something i'm the lus-
trous eyes, the smiling mouth touched a
long-silent chord of memory. She saw it,
and, answering his look, said
Yes, / am Estelle Leroy, and the
same Providence which sent you to me In
my despair has sent me to you in your
time of sorrow. No thanks, John Mallory.
| do no more than requite your kindness TO
me, and hardly that; so keep the deed,
pray you. But the little purse, with that !
Will never part"
She then told him that within two or
three years after returning to Canada she
had married an Englishman Of rank, and
had been in Europe most of the time
since; but that, being now on tour
through the States" they had come ont
Of their way to visittho who had befriend-
ed her in her need
The dear mother is gone, hear; but
the pretty Marie, she is welly"
MY wife is well, and will come her
self and thank you for your great good
ness"
Not tonight; not tonight; but to-mor
row Sir Edward will come with me- and