Smyrna times., 1876-03-22

hhSh dAAN tCAA dOOuL thS NoJ
when I looked back and saw the little fig
ure in the window holding up my child for
me TO see.
Well, you have guessed already, l sup
pose at the end of this beginning never
loved Harriet Stanhope-never.
But it came to me slowly at first, and
very reluctantly, and then with a great
shock, that this woman cared for me. And
! began to think of the possibility of her
taking-in mems eyes, at least and to out
ward seeming-Edna's empty place.
She was lonely too, as l was with no near
relatives, no home, and sorrowful outlook
before her. I never could bear the sight
of a solitary and uncared-for woman, and
this woman touched all my pity and SYM
pathy. gave her that and my friendship
most freely and sincerely, and that was all.
But began to think that even without
love, life might be sweetened little, and
so l said to myself that would marry her.
did not resolve hastily. l had known
her for over two years before l had
thought of it all, and then it was long be-
fore the idea took a defnate shape. l was
travelling in the West, and one of the
letters reached me at large town in Ohio,
that decided the last doubt that was in my
mind. | read it twice, and then walked
the floor all night, and lived my life over
in memory, and reached far into the fu-
ture to plan out what it would be-what
it must be if God preserved it-and then
sat down to write to Harriet.
= 1t was only natural that should dream
. that night of Edna. She came to me al
!, dawn and stood by my bedside with the
child-my son who bore my name and was
so like me. And she told me that she hac
never died at all, but had been waiting fol
me all these years, and God had kept hel
young, and the baby was baby yet-only
e he would call me I" father" and the wore
was ringing in my ears when woke.
thought of her while dressing, and
went down stairs at last, the letter in m!
u breast-pocket, sealed and directed to Har
o riet, and was dreaming of woman olde
u and fairer than she, when into my dream
stole a voice, and the sound of my owl
IT name.
le "Is everything ready Shirley, dear?'
< looked up. There were two people a
k the little round table nearest mine-a lady
as quietly dressed, as if for travelling, i
fe black. without touch of color, and tai
IN straight, broad shouldered STRIPPING, wit
a a young face and eyes like hers. l kne1
le they were mother and son before h
IN answered her.
"All ready. The train starts in an hou
Id You've got nothing at all to do, Madam
lg Mere, but to sit and read novel, or loo
I'll out the window till call you."
And they laughed together. She had
ey girlish face and it was sorrowful one to-
ad Her eyes were brown. looked into then
er and all my youth time looked back again
lie and saw the old house in the old stree
to in New Orleans, and the face in the vii
I dow, and heard the baby hands patting Q
to the panes. Only two brown eyes, and
er sweet voice, and mans name spoke
ay softly to call up all that witchery.
ok She arose from the table almost tn
of minute.
in 81 don't want the strawberries, Shirle
oft I'm going up to my room, if you want
ed read novel, you must run out and get n
tie one. I've packed everything and wa
some light reading for the cars"
- Her dress was sweeping by my chair,
gh she spoke, and stirred my senses-fG
ant asleep for so long-came soft, viol
l scent, was going mad, l believe. As
n no woman but Edna Lecompte had ev
led used that faint subtitle perfumel
started up and strobe out of the DIM
icb room followed those two, and saw
,air mother 90 up the staircase-a slight, da
ont tily moving little figure, with a touch
ms. girlish grace in it still-while the son pass
~ on before me to the Office of the hot
He went and leaned over the desk a
, II spoke to the clerk, in his CHEEKY, frc
hot voice; and stood near him, turning
wo. leaves Of the hotel register.
had "Mrs. Shirley Lecompte."
,aro "Shirley Lecompte, New York City"
h.d turned and put my two hand on
&C., shoulders. i could have taken him to
,nd heart and kissed the child likeness in
nod face, but / did not say one word 70
minute, while he flashed his brown e
ain round on me with a half angry little fro
levv " Are you Shirley Lecompte's sonT
oasa Where-where is your father?'
ond nMy father is dead. That was his nan
looking straight into my face. And th'
and dropped my hands.
nov 81 was your fathers friend, my boy,
enc, il can see his looks in you; and your mot
v;th. Will you take me to your mother, Shirl'
the
hirty Well, have forgiven him--the man
had stole the sweetness out Of life for me
Ieath dead and buried, and Ednais alive. Tw'
allied wears ago forged letter told her that
very was a widow, and the old man hae
and daughter back again !. twenty years she
/ the kept her life sacred to my memory,
forty loved me in her child, and waited
anotbar world to give her into my