The Van Buren press. [volume] (Van Buren, Ark.) 1859-1914, 1878-10-29

IN ner. mere peg penlnd the door
child. You can hang your bonnet Oh
that" And then left the two togcth
er.
Not long, though; every day found
some new errand to take me to the cot
tage. put on elderly airs, and gave aa
vice, had been sent to school, and went
through grave examinations on Saturday
afternoon. told Betty that when was
c man Of middle age l should take my
little daughter home. and she should keep
house for us, And began to fancy,
very soon, that there could be no such
happiness as that d parent felt. The girl
was growing tall, and | only ten years
older than she was, but when she check.
ed her light read to keep pace with me-
when the ctudish laugh bubbles and rip
pied Mt something which could only make
me smile. felt that years are not thu
uniy tirtngo wtrfotr ssgv us'
was working hard at my profession,
too. had hand and heart full. In a
year found that l could pass Aletta on
her husbands arm without pang In
year more wondered whether she had
really changed, or whether | fancied
black curls moro than did golden
bands, for | found myself thinking my
little daughter much the prettiest.
| In the sultry summer evenings used
to leave red tape and parchment and go
out to Betty's cottage to have tea with
my adopted child. Then, while she pol,
ished up the cups, Nellie Hay and used
to walk down to the river side. Tall as
she was growing, l had way of holding
her hand still; and we had such pleasant
talks, such odd, unworldly chatter !!
These walks and simple tea drinking res
ted the brain, wearied with law business,
quarrels and bubbles and stratagems,
more than can tell.
The rough hands had grown softer
now, the waist taper, the bust full. The
sweep Of woman's robes, the tread of
womaus light shod feet, had taken the
place of dumping leather boots and scant
cotton skirts.
knew this, but Nellie was child
to me all the same. Was not by adop-
ton her father? Had not my early grief
and the staff on which l leaned aged me
before my timer OF course she would
always be young to me; and why felt
so angry if by chance some gay young
farmer chstted with her over the fence.
or some neighbor saw her home from
church, could not tell. IAN old man s
temper, suppose" | said, and sighed
like yong one,
So three years passed. AT the end of
that time Aletta's husband died They
had quarreled, and she had made him wo-
fully jealous, it is said, and all his prop
erty save mere pittance was willed to
strangers. ....s, .s...s
my office when she lifted her veil saw
Aletta Stanton's face, closer to me than
it had been since we parted. My heart
gave no wild throb, ! felt as though she
were mere stranger.
Cautiously and quito calmly | heard
her business She intended to contest
the will, and needed advice. gave her
what could. referred her to broth
er lawyer as tho one who would best es-
pouse her cause. AS for myself, told
her truly that my time was too much &C.
cupied to undertake anything more, and
| wished her success.
She looked at me wistfully, with her
great blue eyes full of tears as she rose
to go.
&" 1t was cruel Of him." she said "cru-
ell Of him to leave me so poor. But be
was never kind, never-not in the honey
moon, even.'
al regret to hear it," said,
! 81 could expect nothing more, she said.
81 did not love him never loved but
one--and that one"
She paused and looked at me.
"That one love STILL" she said.
And heaven knows no feeling of re
vengc or petty triumph was in my heart
when looked in Alctta Stanton's eyes,
| if | did not understand her, and courte
ously bowed her out.
"Dd ever care for that woman p l
thought, cor is it all dream p
/ took my adopted child to the thea,
tire that night and we saw the Lady OF
Lyons" together 1t was her. first play.
going experience, and she enjoy
ed it immensely. She wore q white
dress and bonnet and the coral drops
had fastened few days before in he
pretty little ears. l could not help look
ing into her her eyes and touching hel
hand with mine. When left her kiss
ed her.
GOOD night, my child" / said.
| And she answered good night with
cheek dyed on the instant deeper scar.
let and ran away as Betty came out to
chat with me.
From that night dated an odd change
Ny adopted child seemed shy Of letting
me keep her hand-shy Of even chatting
as she did. She was gravcr, more wo.
manly. fancied she did not care fol
me as she did. Perhaps some OF these
farmers who leaned over the gate at sun
set. some OF those young fellows who SC
often escorted her home from church
had won her from me. grew little
moody. found myself in brown stud.
les when | should have been at work
At last determined to. discover whether
| was really to lose my child, and wen
down to the cottage. | found her there
sitting at work with Betty.
After all, it was no easy task. could
not do as had hoped. | tried jesting
andPspoke of one and Of the other young
fellows near. I'VE shall have Nellie
stolen from rs, suppose" | said
There is nothing so easy lost from {
family as pretty daughter. But who i:
to have you Nellie p
Clio Inrkod ot mo "a chilIre lnnk bp