The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1877-06-14

vi ~ NIL
she knew would be instituted as soon as
he was discovered missing. She procured
him some garments which had belonged
to her brother, and she got him some
food that would be safe for him to eat
after his long fast.
He regarded all her movements with
the incredulous wonder of child.
"What has been the matter with me ?'
he asked, after while. 81 could not
stir any more than though l was dead,
but knew all that was going on about
me. Ughl it was frightful waiting there
in that dissecting room. l believe it was
only the horror of it helped me to break
the frightful SPELL"
% suppose you were all in a sort OF
trance" Marion said, thoughtfully.
"What are you going to do with me ?''
he asked again.
81 don't know, 1 am sure" she said,
with sigh. "But you are safe here till
/ can think"
"I don't expect you to believe me, but
am as innocent of the crime for which
1 was brought here as you are"
Guilty or innocent, l pity you, you
are SO young"
Concealing him till the hue and cry
were over, Marion smuggled him through
the gates in a woman's dress and with a
basket of soiled linen. And SO the
mystery of Aymer Preston's escape re-
mained.
The years moved on.
Marion was twenty-five. Her father
was dead; her idolized brother had
perished in brawl ; she was alone in the
world, an invalid, living on the merest
pittance, but the same sweet-faced, sweet
voiced girl who had won the hearts of the
prisoners in the gloomy abode of which
her father had been warden.
One day she was sent for to see about
some embroidery. She was received by
a young lady, and something in the
Young girls bright face drew Marion's
glance unconsciously. Where had she
seen those eyes, so large and so intensely
black?
"Why do you look at me so" asked
the young girl, with naive eagerness.
"You remind me of some one l have
known" Marion answered, simply.
"No one ever accused me of looking
like any one but Robert before" laughed
the girl.
"Ah, yes, you do. l see the re8em-
blance now quite strong" and Marion's
face flushed with emotion. Perhaps
YOU are related to him. His name is
Aymer Preston"
"Oh p' cried the young girl, springing
up; "and you are lame, and your name
is Marion Hyde. Tell me, isn't it? 1
knew it. Oh, Robert, what will you
say"
She vanished from Marion's astonished
eyes with the words on her lips; she was
back, however, in trice and with her,
came tall, dark-haired, heavy-bearded
gentleman.
"Marion Hyde! is it possible ?" he ex-
claimed, clasping both the little tremb-
ling hands in his and putting them over
and over again to his lips, which were
quivering with emotion. Surely you
know mep
"You-you are Aymer Preston"
stammered Marion.
al was Aymer Preston. / am Robert
Liesson. A relative of my mothers left
me his property on condition of my
taking his name. 1 have searched for
you vaiply, Marion Hyde. My prosperity
has been bitter to me, till now L lind
you. Oh, you shall never touch needle
or work again."
mo, indeed, that you shall not"
chimed in she who had been the means
of this happy recognition, and as she
said it both her arms were around
Marion's neck, and she was sobbing and
kissing her alternately. "Robert always
said he would never marry anybody but
you, and you will have him, won't you,
dearW
81 have proved my innocence of that
charge of robbing my guardian" said
Robert, gravely; but it was long before
1 could do SO. followed up the man
whose testimony convicted me till he
lay dying, and he gave me written con-
fession of false witness. My guardian
paid him to injure me he wanted me
out of the way. will not be so abrupt
as to ask you to marry me now, but as
this rash sister of mine has said so much,
1 can do no less than testify to its truth.
l have always loved your sweet, dear
face, Marion 1 shall never cease to wish
it my wife's face till that wish is real
ized."
And then he left Marion to his sisters
petting and soothing.
"This morningI was alone-not one
friend in the wide world and now"
A burst of tears came to her relief.
She is Robert lessons wife now; and
her beautiful eyes are as dove-like as
ever with compassion for the unfortu-
10