The Morning herald., 1877-10-27

fortune, ne nad rlSkod his tdfe 70 pno
launch. .y,,,r.. ..--..,.,
"But, bis parents, who are they p in
quired Hartley. .Lag-l5..
And Rosaaie and Gresham avertsd their
faces from Hartley to conceal from MIN tho
increased agitation which that question
had brought to both of them. o' 49,. D..
And Margaret hastsned to answer
He is, unhappily, an orphan!" =,
Young Arthur was listening wonderfully
10 this conversation, and looking occasion
ally, with great earnestness, into his
mothers face, and those glances Rosalie
dared not to return, only, more than once.
she stealthily pressed his hand.
That her terror was very great will not
be doubted; but she had resolved that,
come what might, do what they would with
her, her son should not, while she had lite,
again be taken from her.
"But the boy has given you some account
Of himself and Of his parents ?'' Hartley
next said, addressing Margaret, and abe re-
piled, evasively:
"Alas, sir, he is dumb"
"Poor boy" exclaimed Clarence, taking
Arthur's hand, and looking earnestly anu
cempassienately into his face, and was
struck with its beauty and it'd very pleasant
expression, while to Hartley also it appeared
as though he now were gazing on teatures
I which somehow were familiar to him.
Addressing Margaret, Hartley said:
"You are an excellent woman, and in
sheltering this poor boy, have acted
nobly."
Margaret curtseyed humbly, and Clarence
proceeded:
"You have we'll done your part, and win
not perhaps object that in the future l
should charge myself with the fate Of this
orphan child"
And Margaret expressed her gratitude
Ind delight at the generous proposal, whlle
with the happiness which was in the
thought that 80 her son would be always
near her, was mingled in Rosalie's mind a
sense Of shame that to accomplish it Hart
1ey's noble heart must be still further out
ragged and deceived.
But she still continued silent; 80, too,
did Gresham.
Hartley asked Of Rosalie, if his proposal
concerning the dumb boy was approved by
her, and she bowed, but did not raise her
eyes to his face.
Clarence Hartley's love for children, as
with all really good men, was very great,
and he had thought tllat perhaps the adopt.
ton of Edmlnd-so had the boy been
named to him-right fill the void which,
as he believed, was in the heart Of Rosa
lie.
"Come hither, poor boy" said Hartley.
And then, seeing that Edmund hesitdted
to quit Roaaligs side, he added.
"You will soon learn that you have n0eh-
ing to fear from mel" while his thoughts
were that the poor lad must formerly have
encountered very cruel treatment that he
now should be 10 timid AND 80 fearful.
! Urged forward by Rosalie, her son quit
ten her side, and slowly and hesitatingly
Approached Hartley, who said to him,
"your conduct At the launch Of that ves,
10, has proved that you possess gooo anu
noble hsart-that with your own hfe yoo
we're willing to repay your ob1gataon 20
vo,,r benefaetress; you merit the lnterest
vhich vou have inspired, and that when
~orthv Margaret Burford would be unable
to 10 fo- you, another will perform.
The bow turned his gaze, wisttu1y ana
x;an.Iy towards his mother, and Hartley
| anlA4OuL1J1 oo"~A~
answered to that look:
eyes, Edmund, that lady will be to you
hancaforth a protectress, more powerful
certainly, but not more devoteo tlls1n shs
whom YOU are about to quit"
And Hartley then passed the boy BACK u
Margaret Burford, saying to her:
1--WE will not so suddenly deprive you OF
him YOU will come with him tomorrow y
the hall, till then we leave him with you.
Resale started, and her son would hav'
Aovn back to her side, but was withheld o.
Margaret. who, addressing Hartley. bu
looking expressively towards the boy
mother, said:
"I answer for his safety; and tomorrow
il live, will bring him to you" .,
And almost forcing little Arthur VIII
her hurried back into her house.
Gresham refused for that day Hartley
invitation to his mansion, but promises
that on the day following he would b
there, and turned and lett Hartley an
Rosalie to proceed together on their wa
home. -,
But ere he had quilted her, Rosalie ha
thrown towards Gresham an anxious an
inquiring look: ,..
"Was he about to obtain possession o.
little Arthur"
And Gresham answered that appealin
look with gesture which satisfied Rosal
that far from him was any such intention.
And Hartley, as he walked forward wit
Rosalie, praised her for an interest in th
poor boy of the launch, which had cause
her to seek him out at the hut OF Margare
Burford, and hoped and believed that Ee
mund, by his devotion, would well rewar
her generosity towards him. :. =,
And then he spoke rejoicingly that b
friend Gresham was at length restored
him.
And Rosa.ie's mental exclamation wa