The post. [volume] (Middleburg, Snyder County, Pa.) 1864-1883, 1877-11-22

Georgia Dale, my step.mother,
vas my counsellor, aud because I
listened TO her my whole life has
been shipwreckod. She il was who
first whispered in my car the story
Of your devotedness to a fair heir
ess I she IL was who brought me the
letter containing the tidings of your
marriage. Oh. Richard, Richard
who shall picture to you the days Of
agony which succeeded 7 But for
my pride, should have lost my rea
son!
Well, after that, Charles Gray
sought my favor f, my step mother
approved OF him. and perjnred my
self at Gods altar Too late learn.
cd the truth Il Was all q vile plot
Of Georgia Ddles ] stood between
her aud you but for mo she hoped
10 win your love. You know the re.
suit her plot was failure. You
fed from the country. hated me in
your heart, and never guessing that
the smiling bride OF Charles Gray
cast out o thought after you.
Seven years ago my husband died.
aud during those intervening years |
have earned my own and my child
ren's bread by the labor Of my hands
Only once in that time have I look
cd on your face.an then you thought
me hundreds OF miles away; but my
was potent, AMI / Ijonrneyel, on foot
and about. huudrod leagues to 500
you once more.
You were walking in the garden.
and the woman you turnel away
when she asked for draught OF wa
ter was Violet Dale I *o uld not
reveal myself to you it is better as
it is. Aud now Heaven bless you,
Richard Steel I have loved you
long, and you only +; ani in Heaven
where l am going, there is neither
marrying aud giving in marriage
meet me there. VIoLrT Cray.
He finished the manuscript, and,
bowling his face upon the open sheet,
the long peut sorrow Of his heart
burst forth in tears--tears such rs
only ono like him can she'd. The
closed chamber was opened at last,
the double granite doors were roll
Ell back, aud tho angles Of tender
memory flew in and took up their a.
bods there.
Violet Dale the soft eyed girl
whom he had loved with tue fresh.
ness OF his youth AMI the favor of
his manhood Violet, who had
made his whole life u failure AMI
yet she had been innocent before
the tribunal Of his sjndyment she was
blameless Yet she was dead --vha.
mattered this long deferred discov-
ery--it was too late now! Too late
for her, but not too late for her chill :
dren. They should be his, and he
would be their father. AMI it was
even 80. Richard and Violet Gray
went forth no moro from Ireton
Hall hence.orth their homo was
with the early friend Of their moth
er.
| Unbouned was tho surprise in
Milford when it was known that Mr..
Steele had adopted two strange chill
daen; but still greater WAS the as
tonishment when, on the following
Sunday, the rich man walked into
church, leading the orphans, one on
either side. The good work was be
gun, and it went on until Richard
Steel's whole nature was revolution
lied.
Years afterwards, while he lay on
his death bed, loving aud grieving
frinds were around him, and at the
very last he fancied ho saw tho face
OF his lost Violet lowering above the
couch.
And at his funeral there we're few
dry eyes, far the poor had learned
to bless his bounty, and the sick and
distressed offered up his name in
their prayers.
And, therefore, say not that be-
Cause men are harsh aud cold th er,
is no oasis in the desert, for in every
; human heart, however strong, there
is o fountain of sweet water, and
happy is he who breaks the fiuty
barriers aud allows the stream t,
gush forth.
L