Mexico weekly ledger. (Mexico, Mo.) 1855-1956, 1877-06-14

she forgot how bitter cold it was as
she flew about ordering coal, pota-
toes and -four, beside filing basket
with little delicacies for her invalid
sister. 20.
Now, Helen, you shall live like a
queen," said Grace, a little while after
displaying before her the contents of
her basket, Sand need do nothing but
tryand get well, for at least month.
The doctor promised to come to see
you to-day" ''
81 wonder who that can be at the
door? Why it must be q mistake"
she said, as a man entered and put
down d large fat turkey and can of
oysters
'sNo, was told to bring them to
Miss Grace Mayne; | suppose that is
you?''
"Yes."
81 wonder who could have been SO
kind, = said she, when they were
again alone: "Oh, Helen, we can
have a Thanksgiving dinner after all, y
and she flew about to get it ready.
That evening, just after they had
lit their lamp, they were startled by
a knock at the door. On opening it,
Grace found the tall form and hand
some face of the purchaser of her pic
ture.
She, invited him in, and he sat
down by the fire. -...
g Miss Mayne,' he said, address
sing the young girl who stood looking
at him wonderingly, ''do you re-
member when little girl of giving a
poor ragged boy flowers and a wax
doll for his little lame sister? am
that boy he went on, without Civ
ing her time to reply; ''my sister
has long since gone to be an angel,
and never can repay the debt she
owed; but now, as Providence has
placed sme where 1 can repay, you
must not refuse" said he, getting up
and clasping her hands in his earnest
ness. Tears were the only answer he
received.
:" Can yon forgive me for the un
kind words spoke to you that morn
ing so long age? Twas young then,
and SO proud of my wealth and
beauty, and did not think life could
have any change for me; but sorrow
has changed my heart, and now 1 beg
your forgiveness said Helen.
&c You were forgiven long ago."
said he, extending his hand; &C SO
think no more about"
There was much to tell of what had
happened in the ten long years that
they had been strangers TO each other.
Two years after going to his uncle he
had entered college. While there his
mother had married again, and his
uncle had died, leaving him sole he'll
to his large fortune. He came back
to the city then, and had become q
wealthy banker. He had inquired
for her, but no trace Of her could be
given; so day after day he found
himself scanning every face until he
gave up in despair and concluded she
was dead. " But you do not know
what Joy it gave me when to-day I
met once more my little friend" he
said, softly pressing her hands.
s. l too am glad to see you once
more, for care and sorrow have been
our portion since we last met. Soon
after / recovered, father engaged in a
business speculation that ruined him.
His health had always been delicate,
and he could not survive the blow.
Our friends all left us, and Helen
and were forced to depend on our
exertions for our daily bread. We
both went out as nurse girls, and
after we grew older we hired cheap
lodgings and took in sewing, but it
barely kept us alive. ThenI thought
1 might make something by painting,
as it was thought had talent for it,
and through you. Kindness I have
succeeded very well in disposing of
my first. - q. ..s% ,-S #
"And will find you purchasers for
all you paint 50 ai 80
, nanH nf1 HDul let me come to see you
often as friend?" he said, as he
stood at the door ready to take his
leave; land, byaand-by, when you
know me better, want you to let me
be something dearer than friend" 4
Long years have passed since then,
and Grace Mayne has long been Mrs.
Herbert Linden. She has become
known to fame as an artist, and
is surrounded by all the luxrries
that wealth and love can
procure, but never has she experience
ed greater happiness than on that
Thanksgiving evening long ago, when
a kind act was the means of bringing
her ont of darkness into light. @
The very oldest Mason in the Uni
ted States is Colonel Hunston, of
Unity, N. H. HI, is ninety-five years
old, has been a Mason seventy-five
years, and has never voted any but
the Democratic National ticket. 2