The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1876-12-30


sister, who came to live with me when
grandfather died, told me first of the son
who had left his home in anger and never
returned, but knew nothing further. /
can never tell you the happiness | felt
when you sent me a little note asking me
to come to you. l,lt;
" / was dying Of want, Nettie, orphan
ed, alone, aud sick. / knew from my
father that had cousin here, and l
thought she would keep me from starva-
tion till could work. | hoped for no
more; but when you came you loaded mo
with luxuries, watched beside me for
weeks, gave me the best physicians care,
clothed me warmly, added comforts to my
miserable room, and gave me new life o
Nettie Heaven will reward"
:" Let me finish my story, Hattie. You
and l are the only living relatives of our
Grandfather Hastings. The ennity that
existed between your father and his faith
er is buried now in their graves. AS soon
as knew you were here and in want, 1
went to my lawyer to right what was an
Injustice, aud to have you share one-half
of our grandfather's estate, transferred to
you" ,l..., s, +,
"Nettie
| was informed that no such document
could be signed or become legal until |
was Of age; so | could only make you com
Portable out of my income, liberal one,
and wait until to-day. | am twenty-one
to-day, and have just PIT my name to
the deed that makes you the joint heiress
of our grandfather All | ask of you is to
come and share my home, live with me,
and be my sister, until some one with
nearer claim carries you away. Tomorrow
is New-Years Day. | shall carry you
home this afternoon, and you shall sit in
state at my reception, and be introduced
to all my friends. Hattie Hattie you
must not cry 50. 1t will make you ill
again"
But it was not in the power of the in
valid to check suddenly the tears called
forth by the emotion wakened by her cou-
sins generous gift. Rich, independent,
loved A life of lonely toll thus suddenly
removed, and so delicately and affection
ately She could only sob and caress her
cousin, till Nettie discovered her oysters
were cooked, her dinner hot, and woke
smiles again by her cooking, caresses and
jokes. Dinner over, Nettie said
You have only heard half my news. {"
Have you another fortune to give
away ?"
al am thinking" and the prettiest
bushes came upon the young girls checks,
"to give all mine away and myself with it.
Now, that you are my sister, must have
no secrets from you, so will tell you all
about it. Last evening | received little
note from gentleman who has visited me
frequently, and with the note a ring. The
note told me somebody loved ME, and ask
ed mo to be somebody's wife. If l con-
sented, | was to wear the ring at my New
Years reception, and, Hattie, it is on my
finger now, and she held up her hand
and displayed a superb solitaire diamond
upon an azure enamelled setting.
"Then you love him ?"
II hardly know. He is older than
am, but find him always congenial
companion / am sure Of one thing,
though, Hattie, that | honor and respect
him above all men," irt
Love will come then"
81 believe that, or / would never marry
him. He is so good, Hattie, so noble and
generous There is no great charity in
the city that has not his name upon the
list ofsubscribers, and he talks so beautiful
about the poor, that it would bring tears
to your eyes to hear him. / an, sure he
does good secretly as well as openly"
"That will suit you, Nettie."
/ believe" said Nettie, grayely, "that
large wealth is given to some only that
Others may be benefited also by its use.
To hoard money is crime in my eyes,
and do try, Hattie, to be faithful
steward"
You do not need to tell me that" said
Hattie, gratefully. "If your husband
shares your feelings, you will win a prayer
from many lips that will not burden your
heart when you die"
" He does share my feelings, Hattie"
But you have not told me his name"
Cecil Graham. f.-..y
" Mr.. Hartleys nephew |" said Hattie.
"ls he The man you worked for 2"
aYes." 9& 3 ~ J
" You know him, then ?"
" He. superintended the department
where I went for work. Ready made
clothing of all kinds forms a prominent
feature in his unclc's large dry good store,
and | made shirts and other clothing
Mr.. Hartley knew my father in his better
days, and gave me work."
"And Mr.. Graham ?"
Gave out this sewing, examined it
when returned, and paid for it."
Did you like him ?"
"Nettie, do not ask me. You have to-
day made me your grateful sister for life;
will you grant me one more favor p
/" You know | will"
"At three O'clock to-day the weeks
work will be given out and taken in at
Hartley's. Willyou go for my work ?"
You will not need it now
Put on my shawl and bonnet We
are both in mourning, so you will not mind
the poorer garments for once. / will give
you the ticket that entities me to work,
and you look enough like me to escape OBJ
servation. Ncttie, do not refuse me Do
not ask me toexplain now my motive, Go
this once for me"
With q very grave face, Nettie Hastings
put on her cousins coarse shawl and poor
bonnet, took the ticket. from table
drawer, and drew on her hands pair Of
coarse cotton gloves.
"You mean more than l can see clearly,
Hattie, she said. SIS is for my sake you
want me to go" and kissing her, she
went out. ji
I" For your sake" said Hattie, "for your
whole lifes happiness or misery, Thank
heaven she does not love Cecil Graham, :"
and covering her face with her thin, trem-
bling fingers, she prayed silently and fer
vently for the noble young cousin she had