The Weston Democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1875-current, 1877-06-16
favor Of friend who had already done 40 muth
for her, and tie. kind lady knew nothing OF

The next morning dawned bright and tesu,i-
fl on tho Injurious home OF tie Mortimer. As
well as tho humble cot where lived the n siI-
Stress and her child. Lillian ut ElmsIdc, and
Lcnt Mt the cottage, both aroFO with u. ut
hearts and happy smiles, but grief and care nr-
prrss Cd some OF tho older members Of the two
families.
After breakfast Lillian went into the pleasant
Sitting.room and Alnnped herself with the cult
n'ns ways OF her canary, letting Il ont OF Its
cage. Il was very tame. Intelligent llrd, and
shoulder, and even put It's little bill between
her lips with seeming affection. Lillian loved
II, as you may imagine, and no dainty was too
difficult to got or term OF endearmOnt tender
enough for the little songder. Tie windows
OF the room wero all closed 10 that "EOnnie ="
might fully enjoy Ills Freedom. and llo flew
and iluttered around almost like wild bird. A
servant came hastily into tic apartment and
left the door ajar ; out h0w Bonnie, and the
nearest window gave him access to The opOn
air. ifi5 -
Lena was out among her flower Lads, and
raised her head just as o bird Allghted on the
fence. She almost screamed with delight.
"oh, she thought, that looks Just like a
canary, and perhaps he yillgO Into ny cage"
She kopt very STILL and after little tlutter-
into tho cage and began to cat seeds. Then
Iona gently closed the door, and she had him
safe.
"lTothCr, mother,7 sho cried, running in,
"tho Lord has sent mo bird, just as thought
He wonld.r -
On tho morning OF tho fifth day after the loss
OF Bonnie, Lillian's grandfather proposed TO
her 10 take ridc across tho country with him
on horseback. sho gladly consented, and they
were soon cantering away in the direction Of
Lena's home. As they camO near they saw
Lena standing on tho porch playing and talking
with her bird. Mr.. Mortimer recognized her as
the child who had affected him 10 much ono
night az shc passed his gate, but Lillian saw
only the bird.
"Why, grandpa, that looks Just like Bonnie "
Sho cried, 40 loudly that Lena heard her.
"Hush |" said Mr.. Mortimer, in vcxed
tone, tho little lady will bear you.n And ho
would laye gone forward, but Lillian stopped,
detCrminedto SEQ the bird that looked 50 much
like the ono sho had lost. =,
The moment Lena heard Lillian's words she
felt sure TINT tho dreaded timo had como
when she must say goodbye to her treasured
pet SO she was not surprised when shc saw
Lillian dlSmount and como through tho gate
toward her.
EXCUSE me" said Lillian, with pleasant
smile, but your bird looks 50 much like ono
lost few days ago that thought must conc
and SEQ II. 1Sn't 1t funny that thoy should bo'
30 much aliie?f
When Bonnie heard his mistress voice ho
know 1t, and began to sing little chirping notes,
as lc always did when she was near. 50
Poor Lena kept back hcr sorrow as well as She
could and said:
"Porhaps this IL really your bird, for 1t Is
ono that cauie and sat on tho fence few days
ago aud then won't into tho cage. had!a
bird and II died, 50 have let tho cage hang.
here with tho door open ever since: Mother
said perhaps tho owner Of to bird would
como by, and haYO let II hang out In sight all
the time. You must lore him ever no much,
and Lm glad you've found lin, she added
hcrolcGlly. ~
lIr. Mortimer, finding Lillian nCterminGdtto
sec tho bird, bad also como to the door, and
Saw tho tears which would well In Lcna'b eyes,
spite Uf all she could dn. X
Declining her invitation to enter the house,
Lillian and her grandfather turned to go away.
Suddenly Mr.. Mortimer stopped, and asked
Lens, whose face possessed strange charm
for him, II she would tell him her name.
.T.cna Howe" said the child, slnilinElr.
At the sound OF her name Mr.. Mortimer
grow deadly pale, and graspcd his riding whip
convulAively.
lust then Mrs. nowo appeared in the porch
calling lena, and isnorant Of the presence Of
tho visitors, whom sllt had not seen enter the
yard. The first slght that met her view was
Lena standing before the door. aud by her
side, regarding her with mingled hope and de-
spair, a TALL gray headed man OF noble pres
encC, whose Kindly features, though now con-
yulscd with anxiety, wero to her like vision
from heaven.
Sprnging forward with outstretched hands
she cried "oh, father" and fell into his
arms.
The rapture Of that meeting. cannot be ex-
pressed In words, but It's memory will always
b Css the hearts Of the two who were thus
united after long years OF mutual suffering.
The mystery Is soon explained. Mrs. Howe
was tho only daughter OF Air. Mortimer. the
tiful and winning, sho attracted many al-
mircrs, and among them Ellis Howe, young
artist who had no inheritance but Ills gcnius
and great charm Of manner.
Tho young girl married against tho will Of
her father, and waS commanded to leave the
homo Of her youth mover to return. For that
hour Of pride end anger Mr.. Mortimer suffered
years OF self torture. :.
The discarded daughter, wounded and sad
at heart indeed, but still conlfOrted by tho love
OF her husband, had gone with him to dlstant
town. Then the strength ol ElllS HOWE ialieu'
through oSerwork and exposure, and after a
short illness hO died, leaving bis wife and little
child pennilesG. Since that tinle AIrN. iGOwo
had supported herself and daughter by the
work Of her needle. But shG had struggled
on, and ut last her trials wcrO over AMI tho
love sllo had loltgCd for was her own.
Lena and her mother Immediately removed
10 Rlmsidc, whcrc tho warlnrSt welcome was
given them by Royal Mortimer and his wife:
'fhe children wGrO the best OF friends, and
Willie declared conalcntially to Lillian that
Lena was the incest girl he ever saw.