The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1877-06-14
THE BIRDS MISSION,

Elmside, the summer residence of the Morti-
mers, is situated on the banks of the Hudson,
in one of the most beautiful spots of a region
celebrated for the loveliness of its scenery.
At the close of sultry summer day the
family assembled on the lawn to enjoy the soft
breeze just cool enough to be refreshing
which gently stirred the leaves of tree and
vine. The family party consisted of five men,
bers Mr.. Mortimer, SENIOR gentleman of
sixty, with quite sivery hair and beard, and
countenance where pride and goodness were
equally visible; his son. Royal Mortimer, fine
looking man of thirty-tive, bearing great re-
scmbance to his father, and Mrs. Mortimer, o
graceful lady of thirty, with their two children
Lillian and Willie. Willie was nobe-looking
lad of twelve, and his sister, two years younger
was a sa eet pleasant faced little girl, quite
small for her age.
On this ev ming Lillian and Willie were
amusing themselves with the sportive tricks OF
lively little spaniel that was Wills favorit,
pet. Mrs. Mo timer seated herself on a rustic
bench with n book i'll her hand, but was APP
parently moro interested in the scene aroun.
her than in its pages. The elder Mr.. Mortimer
and his son had sauntered down the broad
path to the gate, and leaned upon it, talking
together busily. While they stood there,
little girl, apparently about the age Of Lillian,
passed along the road quite near them. She
was dressed very plainly but neatly, and had a
face of delicate, sensitive beauty as rare as il
was pleasing. She carried parcel on one arm,
and i'll her hand bouquet of beautiful flowers.
The goldon-brown hair fell around her neck in
soft loose curls, and as she passed the two gen.
tlemen she lifted to them pair of dreamy
deep blue eyes shaded by long dark lashes
Her momentary glance was returned bv such
an eager spellbound look from the older gen
tleman that her own lids dropped in modest
confusion, and blush mounted to her cheek.
After watching her out of sight, Mr.. Mortimer
turned to his son with an expression of deepest
sadness on his noble features. 1t needed no
explanation to enable Royal Mortimer to under
stand the reason for this.
"Her eyes were like Annies did you not
think so p asked he.
"They seemed Annie's own," was the reply,
given in a trembling voice. "Oh, when shall
cease to suffer for that one act Of injustice
Royal! would willingly give all my fortune if
could only undo the past No day goes by
that the shadow does not creep into it, and blot
out all the brightness. No night finds me
sleeping peacefully with happy heart. Royal,
1 should go mad if did not cherish a faint
hope that shall yet find her, and make amends,
as far as | can, for what have done. That is
my greatest object in life."
The son had listened with an emotion cor
responding to that of the speaker, and now
asked
"What news did you receive from your last
advertisement You know was away at the
time, and have not had chance to ask you
before, eXceptin the presence of the children"
Nothing definite, replied his father, sadly.
"There has been person of the name in s.,
but he died, and his family removed from the
place. No clew can be discovered to their where
abouts. | tell you, Royal, the thought Of
Annie, aloneiu the world, and perhaps reduced
to the utmost misery of poverty, is enough to
craze me. when here am |, with wealth at my
command, and yet powerless to relieve her"
Looking at the solrowfu and even anguished
faces of the two men standing there in the
gathering summer twilight, you would never
have thought them the happiest of mortals,
fhaxr live ttla b1xr
disc"
Let us go back few hours, and follow the
steps of the child whose beautiful eyes recalled
such bitter memories to Mr.. Mortimer and his
son. Passing along with a light tread, she
came, after half hours walk, to little cot
tage in front of which was small yard con-
tanning some carefully tended beds of flowers.
Lifting the latch of the gate she went quickly
up the path, and glanced with bright smile
through an open window where still young
and beautiful woman was sitting, at the same
time holding up her bouquet
The enthusiastic girl had not noticed at first
her mothers face was deathly pale, and that,
as she lay back in her chair with closed eyes,
tears which she could not conceal stole from
under her long lashes.
"Why darling mamma, what is the matter ?"
she cried, in distress, as she saw these tokens
of grief.
Forcing smile to her quivering lips, Mrs.
Howe opened her eyes, full of lovelight, on her
uduSnte anu answered WIN an eHOrt at cneer-
fulness
81 have rather a bad headache, dear, but
hope it will be better soon. Your flowers are
very lovely, and Mrs. Burt is always kind
What is this?" taking up some bills that the
child had placed in her lap.
"Oh, that is the pay for the embroidery.
Mrs. Burt said she might have to send after it,
and she would rather trust the money with me
than with a servant"
Lena told her how she had walked through
Mrs. Burt's large conservatory, feasting her
eyes on the rare luxurance of flowers.
There were many beautiful little birds,
mother, all free to go where they pleased, and
they sang so sweety it made me think of
Dick. And sad look fitted across her face
as she glanced at an empty bird cage that was
hanging in the porch with its door open, as if
waiting for an occupant.
Dick had been Lena's pet canary, and the
solace of many lonely hour. But one day the
little yellow wings spread out helplessly, the
bright eyes grew dim and poor Dick breathed
his last in the hand of his sobbing Young mis-
tress. Since then, Lena had kept his cage in
its usual place, and the door wide open sfor
who knows" she would say, "what NAV hap
pen? Perhaps the Lord may send me another
bird"
Mrs. Burt she knew, would have given her
one, but the proud child would not ask the