The Weston Democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1875-current, 1877-06-16
THE BIRDS MISSION.

Elmstlo, tho summer residence OF the Morti-
mlerS, IL situated on the banks OF the Hudson,
In one Of tho most beautiful spots OF region
celebrated for tho loyelncSs Of its scenery.
At tho close OF Sultry summer day tho
family assembled on the lawn to enjoy tho soft
broCzo, Just cool enough to be refreshing,
which gently stirred the leaves Of tree and
vino. The family party consisted OF fiyc mem
berS: Nlr. Mortimer, senior, gentleman OF
sixty, with quite silvGry hair and beard, and
cIuntenance where pride and goodness were
Clually Visible; his sGn, Royal Mortimer, fine.
liOking man Of thirty.hve, bearing great re.
s.mblGncc TO his father, and aTra. Mortimer,
graceful lady OF thirty with their two children,
Lillian and Willie. Willis was nOble-lOOking
lad Of twelve, and bis sister, two years younger,
was a sa cot, plcuSanl-faccd little girl, quite
S1lall for her age.
On this GvSnIng Lillian and Willie werr
amusing themselves with The SpOr.ive tricks OF
lively littlO spaniel that WAS Wits tavUriu
Mt. Airs. Mortimer seated herself on n rustic
bSncl with book In her hand, bnt was al,-
piruntly more Interested In tho Rceno aroulI.
her than in Its pages. Tho elder Mr.. Mortimer
and lIia SUu had sauntcred down tho broad
path to Tho gate, atil leaned upon II, talkiuE
t1sathcr h,ISllS. While tloy stood thcro.
little girl. apparently about tho age Of Lillian,
passed. along the road quito near them. She
was dressed very plainly but neatly, aud had
fGce Of delicate, sensitive beauty as raro as II
waS pleasing. Sho carried n FarcOlo on one arm.
aud IN her hand nbouQuGt Ut beautiful flowers.
The gullen-brOwn hRir fell around her neck In
S0ftlOOs0 curls, aud M Sho passed. the two gen.
tlemen Eho liitol 10 them pair OF dreamy
deep blno eyes shaded by long dark lashcs
lIrr momentary glance wuS returned by such
an eager, spcllbOund look from tho older gen.
teman that her own lids dropped 10 modest
confusion, and blush mounted TO her check.
After watching her out Of sight, Mr.. Mortimer
turned to his son with an expression Of dSepest
sadness on Ills noble features. II needed no
explanation 10 euablc Royal Mortimer to under
stand tho reason for this.
"ITer eyes wero like AnniO's did you not
think no = asked hc.
"They seemed Annie's own, !" was the reply,
given IN trembling voice. "Oh, when shall
cease to suffer for that one act Of injustice
loyal! would willingly give all my fortune IL
Icould only undo tho past. No day goes by
that the shadow docs not creep into 1t, and blot
ont all tho brightness. No night finds me
sleeping peacefully with happy heart. loyal,
l should 20 mad II did not cherish q faint
hope that shall yot find her, and make amends,
as far as can, for what have done. That IL
my greatest object In life"
Tic son had listened with an emotion cor
responding to that Of tho speaker, and now
asked
"Wlat ncws did you receive from your last
advertisement You know was away at the
time, and have not had a chance to ask You
before, except In tho presence OF tho children"
Nothing definite, ," replied bis father, sadly.
"Therc has boon person OF the name In 3,
hut he lied. and his family removed from the
place. No Glow eau DO discovered to their where
aboutH, tell you, loyal, the thought OF
Annie, aionoin tho world, aud perhaps reduced
TO tho utmost misery Of poverty, Is enough to
craze mo. when here am |, with wcAlth at my
command, and yet powerless TO relieve her"
Looking at the S0Frowful and even angulshed
faces Of tho two mon standing thore IN the
gathering summer twilight, you would never
have THOUGHT them the happiost OF mortalS,
oven though they did live In an "earthly para
dtSe."
Let us go back a few hours, and follow tho
steps OF tho child whose beautiful eyes recalled
such bitter memories to Mr.. Mortimer and his
son. Passing along with q light tread, Sho
came, after half hours walk, to Elittle cot
tage, In front Of which was small yard con-
taining some carefully tended beds OF flowers.
Lifting tho latch OF tho gaic ShO went quickly
up tho path, and glanced with bright smile
through All open window wherc still young
and beautiful woman was sitting, at the same
time holding up her bouquet.
Tho enthusiastic girl had not noticed at first
her mothers face was deatllly pale, and that,
as ale lay back In her chair with closed oyes,
tears which SHE could not conceal stole from
under her long lasheS. -
"Why, darling mamma. what Is the mAtter?"
she cried, III distress, as shC saw those tokens
OF grief. .,5.5.
Forcing smile 10 hCr quiycring lips, Mrs.
AL lIae Rttn ~ II hn1
daughter, aud answered With an effort at cheer
fulneSS
ar have rather bad headache, dear, but
hopC It will DO better sOOn. Your flowers arc
very lovely, aud Mrs. Durt Is always kind.
What IL thiS2" taking up some bills that tho
child had placed IN her lap. .a.
"0h, that Ia tho pay for tho embroidery.
Mrs. burt said she might have to send after It,
and slc would rather trust the money with me
than with servant"
Lena told her how shO had walked through
Mrs. Durts largo conservatory, feaSting her
eyes on the rare luxurianco Of flowers.
There were many beautiful little birds,
mother, oil free to go where they pleased, and
'Dick. -" And sad look fitted across her face
az she glanced at an empty bird cage that was
hanging in the porch With It's door open, as II
waiting for an occupant. ~.
"Dlck had been LcnA's pct canary, and the
EolacO Of many lonely hour But ono day tho
llttlO yellow wings spread out h6lpleSSly, the
bright eyes grew dinl aud poor Dick breAthed
his last In tic hand OF Ills sObbing young mis-
treSs. Since then, Lena had kept his cage In
its usual place, and tho door wide open, ''for
who knows" she would 1ay,, ''whAt may hap
pen2 Perhaps the Lord may send me another
bird" Ira"T r
Mrs, burt, Sho knew, would have given her
one, but the proud child would not AAk tho