The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1877-08-20
NYas. sIr.V

"WeIl. 1 have engaged board for you
there. l hope the arrangement will suit
you"
"Yes, sir" returned the youth, with
emotion.
From that time Charles Aubrey went
on nobly anu truly in the path he had
marked out.
Little did Charles Aubrey know how
closely he had been watched. Mr.. Will
liams knew his every movement, even
to his prayers which he poured lorth. in
his privacy oil his own apartment. Thus
passed away three months, and at the
end OF that time Mr.. Williams called the
young man into the counting.room one
evening, alter the rest Of the people had
gone.
"Well, Charles" the merchant COM
menced, Show would you Like 10 change
your boarding-piace"
There was something in the look an d
tone of the man as he spoke these words
That made the youth start. The blood
rushed to his lace, and anon he turned
pale.
"If you would like" the merchant re-
sumed, in the same low, strange tone,
you may come and board with me. l
will not deceive you, Charles. Until L
could know that you would entirely re-
But am satisfied, now. l have not
doubted you, but would prove you. And
now, il you please, you may inform Mrs.
Swan that you snail board with her no
more. She will not be disappointed,
for have spoken with her on the SUBJ
ject."
With these words Mr.. Williams left
the store, and as soon AS Charles could
recover from the strange emotions that
mad almost oVerpowered him, he called
lor the porter to come and lock up, and
then, having locked tho great safe, he
took his departure.
On the next morning he came to the
store, and when his employer came he
informed him that ne had given his no.
tice Io Mrs. swan.
very WE'LL" returned the merchant.
This evening, then, you will 60 home
with me-"
Evening came, and Charles Aubrey
accompanied his old friend homo. Tea
was ready, the rest Of the family having
eaten an hour before. After tea Charles
was conducted TO the sitting-room, where
lamps were burning, and where Mr.
| Williams informed him he could amuse
himself by reading.
| Charles sat down there, and his EN-.
ployer went out, but he could not read
| Thus he sat, when the door was slowly
opened, and female appeared within
the apartment. With a quick step he
sprang forward, and without Il word be
caught the fair girl to his bosom,
MARY" he uttered, as he gazed into
the sparkling eyes OF the fair being who
still chung fondly TO him, you still love
me-you forgive me all-and trust me
once mJreW
"Yes," she murmured; and ere sht
could speak further her latner entered
the room.
"Aha-so you've found him, have you
Maryr' he cried, III u happy, joyous
tone.
"Mr. Williams" uttered Charles, still
holding Mary by the hand, and speakini
with ain sulty, ~ hope l am not de
celVed. D, you have not brought N,
passed tnls cup 10 my lips only TO das
IL away againW
"Of course not" returned the mer
chant. but You must know now th
whole truth, and for fear my child ma
not tell you all, PHI tell You myself. TnI
nubie girl has never ceaseu to love you
aud when you were the lowest down, sh,
loved you The most. She came to me an,
asked me i she might save you If sh
could. l could not tell her nay, and sn
went at the work. She has suffere
much, and, Charles, it remains WIN yo
, TO decide whether ner future shall be on
olnappIness or not. She knew tnat yoI
were down, that your money was gone
and that your false friends mad lorsAke
you. Then it was that her love for yol
grew bold aud strong. She wondered Il
you would repulse her. She knew no
! M lghI np fa
herself the pain of a direct repulse Iron
you she assumed disguise, so that sh
might approach you without bein
known, and yet gain some idea of you
feelings, and save you If she could.
think she has done we'll. Az any rat
she has rsgained you to herself, and i
must now De your own fault il the SILK
en- tie is looseu again"
With these Worus the father left th,
apartment.
"You, Mary2 you in disguise !?
queried Charles, as soon as he cou4
speak.
CAY, dear Charles; and you know wh
dld ~. Here-do you not remembe
itW And as she spoke she drew fro1
her bosom small sllken purse, AN
took therefrom sixpence.
The youth recognized IL in an instan,
"O!' he cried, as he strained the nobl
girl TO his bosom,"w "what can | say? Mary
Mary-my own neart's truest loye-le
my life in the years to come tell my grat
fiLude. y, my all OF life is yours, and IN
last breath shall bear your name i
gratitude to God"
And Charles Aubrey never forgot hi
promise. With this noble companion b
his side he Travelled up the hill, and i
his path the flowers of life grew thic
and fragrant.
Upon the wall of his sirting-roor
hangs picture. 1t is a splendid pain
ing Of the Prodigal SONS Return. Upo
the face Of heavy gilt frame, visitor
notice small blemlsh, but which, upo
closer examination, proves to be sma
lsllYer CON. Our readers need not b
told why that bit OF metal Is thus care
fully preserved.