Western sentinel. [volume] (Winston [i.e. Winston-Salem], N.C.) 1856-1886, 1877-12-13
sentence gave publicity to his in

nOccDce and disease.
1t was no shame to Alfred's man
hood that his eyes were misty a
he read the obituary of the wastee
life. touched keenly by the closing
words, "a widowed mother and sis
ter were with Stretton when b,
died
And be could easily picture tht
fair pale face bending over the suf
ferer's pillow, and the low tcndel
voice comforting him, though hi.
hand had brought desolation into
her own life.
In the chamber of death where
the still face upon the pillow VIA:
peaceful in its last sleep, Hester
and her mother kept watch togeth.
er.
They had suffered much in the
five years that their lives bad beer
separated for the widow had beer
matron in large hospital, while
Hester worked as a governess iu
Mrs. Evans family. Before he,
fathers death, there had been a
home, happy and united but after
wards poverty drove them out upon
the world.
Mother, Hester sail softly, 4
have saved something in these long
years, and We will settle ourselves
here and try to earn q living to-
gether'.
sYcs, dear, I took the house flrn-
ished for month thinking if Oliver
came home willing tn work for an hon.
est living, we should get on somehow
| had saved little, too, Hester, for
him, and he will not need it,
Hush You must not weep now
Remember how happily he died,
mothor, the stain lifted from his
memory, his heart at peace. He was
ready to go mother. My poor BROTH
er!
Softly the tender lips pressed the
dead mans forehead, before Hester
led her mother away from the room.
They had not crossed the narrow pas
sage TO the parlor when the door rang.
and Hester opened tho door to face
Alfred Graves.
Before she could speak, he entered
and closed the door behind him, and
advancing 10 the widow who stood
inside the little parlor.
Mrs. Stretton,' lie said, lifting his
hat, L have just heard OF your sorrow,
and l have come to ask you to let me
aid you in any way where a gentle
alff alffnt'if tiie eseSryiees Sr ytfa 9maY be required.
You arc very kind the widow fall
tered. 'Ne-as you say-our trou-
BILE
And here the tears stificd utterance
and she could only turn from him and
weep,
Hester lifted her eyes appealingly,
to meet Alfred's fixed upon Der face.
There is no longer a secret between
us, HESTER he said, in low tone.
will you not give me the right of
loving son to comfort your mother?'
You know all, she sail, surprised,
and you are here!'
i do he answered gravely, 'and
knowing your noble reason for once
refusing me, am here to ask again
the question I asked one summer
morning not long ago. Even as l
loved you then l love you now. Hes
ter will you be my w;fe?'
And she, loving him tenderly, with
the secret of her life revealed, the
crime wiped out by death, pu,
her hand in his and let his lips press
the seal of betrothal upon her own.
To the world Hestcr's secret is a
secret still. Society does not connect
the tall stately bride of Alfred Graves
with the obscure convict who came
from prison only to die; and Mrs.
Evans was never told of any mystery
or sorrow resting upon the life of her
former governess, or the quiet widow
who shares the Graves mansion and
finds a peaceful haven in her daugh-
ter's love and the respectful attentions
of man who fills sons place to her
BAD BREATH.-Ofensive breath