The weekly herald. [volume] (Cleveland, Tenn.) 1876-1888, 1877-06-28

was only known by that here.
She had but one child, who inherited
her mothers great beauty. Nita adored
her, and would scarcely allow the little
one out of her sight, so afraid was she
that something might happen to her
darling.
One morning, as | was sitting in the
store Nita stepped outside moment to
call her daughter in; as she glanced
down the road ! saw a deadly pallor
Oyerspread the white beautiful face,
and she almost fell to the ground, but,
gaining little composure, she came in
and sank down on the nearest chair.
"Nita," | cried, going to her side,
"what is the matter my darling?" for
getting everything except my great
love for her.
"Oh, God let me die," she MUIR
INJURED, piteously. Gam to be forever
tortured in this way? And | thought
had gotten away from him at last"
just then the store door opened and
a man came in dressed i'm the height of
fashion. Broadcloth coat, high hat,
kid gloves and large diamond studs and
ring.
One glance at the cold, triumphant,
but still handsome face told me it was
Harold Ashton.
thought my presence would not be
desirable and so went back into the
sitting-room, for | was afraid to go and
leave Nita with this man, but just as |
was going | heard her voice, sweet and
winning as ever, say, "Do not go, Mr..
Hall, go on with your interesting de-
scription of the painting you were tel
ling me about few moments ago"
was amazed at the calm fortitude
she showed, and, retracing my steps,
seated myself beside her and went on
talking as though no third person had
been in the room. | watched Nita mar
rOwly and saw nothing TO tell me how
frightened she really was except the
slight trembling of the dainty hands.
At last heard him say, "Mrs. Doug
lass" with sarcastic emphasis on the
name, "will you be so kind as to tell
me where my child is ?"
No answer. Nita's eyes filled with
wild dread as she compelled herself to
turn and ask me some trifling question.
Would he never 60? l thought.
Much more will kill the poor child
A short silence, then the cold, cruel |
voice again asked, "Nita Ashton, will |
you answer my question? ?"
Mrs. Douglass" | said hastily, lit
is growing rather warm here, had you |
not better gointo the sitting-room? SO
| led the trembling form into the cool |
room and went to bring her glass of
water, all the time the man in the store
was watching me with bitter hatred in
his black eyes and a sneering smile |
wreathing itself around the mustached |
lips.
just then Nita's little daughter Lily |
came in.
Instantly Mr.. Ashton turned and |
said, "My dear little girl, come here to
papa, who has come on purpose to see
you, and look what I've brought"
And he handed her large box of fine
French candies.
/ looked at Nita and saw her watch
ing the two with eager, dilated eyes.
Then | glanced at Lily, who was sitting
on her fathers knee Did she love him
l wondered.
AT last Mr.. Ashton rose TO go, saying,
Oily | wish you to walk to the station
with me. Run get your hat"
LILY went to find it rather unwil-
lingly, thought, but first threw her
dimpled arms around her mothers
neck, whispering something to her.
"Come, child, hurry" called her
father impatiently.
In moment Nita Douglass stood be-
tween them, saying proudly, "Harold
Ashton you can come here and torment
me, but you cannot take my darling,
my little Lily from me" and she burst
into passionate sobs, clasping the child
wildly to her breast.
Mr., Ashton watched her for minute,
then he said, scornfully, perhaps you
are not aware that have the law on
my side.".
An expression of sickening horror
came across Nita's beautiful face, and |
it was as much as | could do to keep
from knocking the hardened wretch
down.
Lily stood watching the two with a
puzzled expression on her pretty, child
ish face.
"Come," her father commanded, 81
told you to hurry long ago" But Lily,
who had little will of her own, looked
him fearlessly in the face and said, de-
family, 81 don't want to go with you.
love my mamma, and want to stay
with her."
Nlta glanced at him appealingly,
"YOu see she loves me-" she said,
simply, "And oh, Harold Ashton, will
you not have to answer before the
great white throne of God for taking
my child, not because you love her, but
because you know how it will torture
me9 Let me keep her, that is all I
ask"
Any other man but him could not |
have withstood her yearning mothers
request, but Harold Ashton only turned |
away with cruel laugh.
GLOW very religious all of a sudden"
he sneered, and then to Lily, "Come,
an