Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1877-07-19
VOL. 35. NO. 10.
THE BIRDS MISSION.


brated for the lovliness gifts scenery.
At the close of a sultry summer
lay the family assembled on the
avn to enjoy the soft breeze, just
,ool enough to be refreshing, which
,ently stirred the leaves of tree and
zine. The family party consisted of
i've members Mr.. Mortimer, senior
. gentlemen of sixty, with quite sill
7ery hair and beard, and counter
.nce where pride and goodness were
equally visible; his son, Royal Nor
liner, fine looking man of thirty
i've, bearing great resemblance to
MS father, and Mrs. Mortimer,a grace
'ul lady of thirty, with her two chil-
iren Lillian and Willie. Willie was
a noble-looking lad of twelve, and
Lillian, two years younger, was q
sweet, pleasant-looking girl, quite
small for her age.
On this evening Lillian and Willie
we're amusing themselves with the
sportive tricks of a lively little span
iel that was Wills favorite pet. Mrs.
Mortimer seated herself on rustic
bench with a book in her hand, but
was apparently more interested in
the scene around her than in it's
pages. The elder Mr.. Mortimer and
his son had sauntered down the
broad path to the gate, and leaning
upon it, talking together busily.
While they stood there little girl,
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 it was
pleasing. She carried a parcel on
one arm aad a bouquet of beauti-
full flowers in her hand. The golden
brown hair fell around her neck in
soft loose curls, and as she passed
the two gentlemen she lifted to them
a pair of dreamy deep blue eyes
shaded by long dark lashes. Her
momentary glance was returned by
such an eager, spellbound look from
the elder gentleman that her own
lids dropped in modest confusion, and
a blush mounted to her cheek. After
watching her out of sight, Mr.. Morti-
mer turned to his son with an ex-
preston Of deepest sadness on his
noble features. 1t needed no explain
alton to enable Royal Mortimer to
understand the reason of this.
sHer eyes were like Annie's; did
YOU not think so p asked he.
sThey seemed Annie's own, was
the reply given in trembling voice.
ooh. when shall | cease to suffer for
that one act of injustice 2 Royal |
would willingly give all my fortune
if l could 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 a happy
heart. Royal, should go mad if ]
did not cherish faint hope that
should yet find her and make amends
as far as I can, for what have done
That is my greatest object in llfe.'
The son had listened with an emo
ton corresponding to that OF the
speaker, and now asked
sWhat news did you receive from
your last advertisement You know
[ was away at that time, and have
not had chance to ask you before
except in the presence of the chill
dren.'
Nothing definite, replied the faith
err, sadly. There has been person
of the name in s., but he died
and his family removed from th'
place. No clew can be discovered tt
their whereabouts. | tell you, Royal
the thought of Annie, alone in th'
world, and perhaps reduced to th'
utmost misery of poverty, is enough
to craze me, when here am |, will
wealth at my command, and ye
powerless to relieve her.
Looking at the sorrowful and ever
anguished faces of the two mel
standing there in the gathering sum
mer twilight, you would never hav
thought them the happiest of NOR
tails, even though they did live in al
earthly paradise
Let us go back few hours ant
follow the steps of the child whose
beautiful eyes recalled such bite
memories to Mr.. Mortimer and hi
son. Passing along with light treat
she came, after half hours walk, t.
a little cottage,in front of which wa
small yard containing some care
fully tended beds of flowers. Lift
ing the latch of the gate she wen
quickly up the path, and glanced
with a bright smiIe,at the same TIM
holding up her bouquet.
The enthusiastic girl had not no
ticed at first that her mothers fac
was deadly pale, and that, as she lay
back in her chair with closed eyes
tears which she could not concea
stole from under her long lashes.
why, darling mamma, what is tn
matter p she cried, in distress,as sh
saw these tokens of grief.
Forcing a smile to those quiverin!
lips, Mrs. Howe opened her eyes, ful
of iovelight, on her daughter, AM
answered with an effort at cheerful
ness.
Ihave rather bad headache, dear
but hope it will be better soon
Your flowers are very lovely, an
Mrs. Bure is always kind. What
this p taking up some bills that tn
child had placed in her lap.
oh, that is the pay for the embrol
derry. Mrs. Burt said she nigh
have sent after it, and she woul'
rather trust the money with me thai
with a servant
Lena told her how she had walke'
through Mrs. Burt's large conserva
tory, feasting her eyes on the rar
Injuries of flowers.
sfhere were many beautiful littl
birds, mother, all free to go wher
they pleased, and they sang so sweet
" they made me think of Dick
And a sad look fitted across he
face as she glanced at an empty bir'
-. - L1r,.,rr~ IN tho rfaral