The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1877-10-10

thing he did was to draw forth q
powerful magnifug glass. and by is
means to study the face Of the lady
with The dog nest narrowly Yes
he had not shadow Of a doubt that
this dear "aunty," the maiden sister
of Mrs Gray of whom be heard was
the love Of his youth, the Alice Clii.
ton of tie concert room. the Alice
Croft Of private life. Photography
revealed some lines Of care and sat,
fering that bad not belonged to the
fair Young face he so well remember
ed +; but such foot-marks of time must
be expected in the course Of twenty
years. even under happier circum-
starces than had probably befallen
the woman in question That she
should have reliuquished her profes-
sional career without having married,
puzzled him. But be had incidental
" heard from the children tba;
"auntie" was coming home to-mor-
row and before many DAYS should
pass. he should certainly find out a
thing or two which must greatly in-
lluence his future
As sif to con6rm his already strong
belief beyond tie power of momenta-
~ csgil, The next time be went down
stairs be observed letter on the ta-
bic, which, on looking if il were in-
tended for himself, be saw the sd-
dress Miss Croft"
The next day Alice Croft returned
home; and ss Broughton was TAX
ing bis coffee, be could bear the chill.
dren's merry shouts Of welcome, at
which. by-the-5y, Dandy set up a
short bark, as if he thought be too
bad right TO join in the demons,ra-
( ton.
Il will do nothing hurredly !"
thought Mr. Bsoughtou to himself; !;
'afser twenty years Of separation 1
can wait for few days surely. AT.
ter all, if we meet on the stairs she
will not reeognizs in me the slim,
smooth faced boy | believe she re-
members" And thinking thus, be
glanced al himself in the chimney
glass; noting the bronzed weather
beaten face and long, thick beard
siresked with white that it reflected.
al wonder though if my name will
strike ber?' be continued, pondeTing.
Perhaps BOT, and vet it may"
Now the fact was, Alice Croft had
not as yet heard the new dodgers
aame, for her sister had at first mis-
understood it, aud had written it
"Rawton' in communicating the
news that the rooms were let. Three
or four days passed away before
Alice had any inkling Of the mistake.
Meanwhile, Richard Broughton had
seen her-unseen himself-more than
once, and had even heard her voice
speaking esrelessly to the children.
How it thrilled on his ear and con-
irmed his resolution.
1t was the early twilight of q sum-
mer evening. The shop was closed,
and Mrs Gray had gone out after
seeing the children in bed. Brough-
ton felt that the hour had come, and
ringing his bell, asked the servant
who answered it if Miss Crof. were at
home and disengsged.
"Yes, sir" said the maid she is
all alone in the parlor"
Then be so good as to give her
my card, and ask if | may wait upon
her,"
But Broughton followed the sew
ant down stairs, and was ready 10
avail himself of the permission given
in i minute.
The servant thinking il her duty,
lighted the gas before leaving the
room ; bat she left it burning low, so
that the lingering daylight prevailed
over it. Though the reception room
was but little parlor behind shop,
;here was an air Of refinement about
its appointments, and the outlook in
TO a mere yard was masked by bal
c0ny full OF blooming and odorous
plants. The door which led into the
shop remained open, probably for the
sake CT air but to such passionate
lover of music as the visitor was, the
sight of two or three pianos and
harp and guitar was rather suggestive
of delightful ideas than of anything
else
Alice had risen trom her chair. and |
advanced with outstre;ched hands 10
meet her guest but she did not seem
able to find word of greeting.
Alice +" exclaimed Mr.. Boughton. |
if | may still call you 50, DO / seem
like one risen from the dead ?'
"0h, no." she replied; II never
thought you were dead But as
she spoke there was faltering of her
voice which showed that she was ag-
itated
BY this time both were seated,
though a little way apart. Mr..
B.oughton drew his chair nearer, and
said softly: "Alice, | come to ask
if it is too late to mend our broken
chain ?"
But you are married; | heard
thae long ago" exclaimed Alice with
dignity "YOu have no right 20 the
past"
II have been a widower these two
years." was the rejoinder.
The explanations which followed
need not be described in detail.
'sTbe letters kept back falss messages,
The tale so old and dark,
Had separated the lovers, and when
Alice Croft believed that she was for
saken a severe Illness ensued; after
Der recovery from which it was found
hat her voice was seriously impair
ID. Instead of resting it for a time,