Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1878-03-06

ado not weep so, poor child" said Archer
al will take care of you. VIII you come
with me and be my little girl ?"
Zana ceased sobbing and looked at him in
surprise.
ooh, sir |" she exclaimed, will you take
care of me till can find papa ?"
al will, Zana. will be a father to you !
until we can find your own father" was the |
reply.
" And will you always love me Z
"Yes, dear, always" i
"Then [ will be your little girl cried
Zana joyfully, throwing herself into his arms |
Upon arriving in New York Archer took
Zana and went Immediately to his native
village. What was his surprise to learn that
his mother was living in New York. Back
to that city he and his young charge went by
the first train, and great was the joy OF that
meeting between the mother and son.
Archer took his mother back to their old
home, and there was happy household.
Zana became the pet and darling of both
mother and son. Only once did Mrs, Clifton
mention Blanche's name, and then the stern
look on her sons face frightened her so that
she never dared to speak of her again.
One day Zana came running in from her
play and went Immediately to the library,
where she was sure of finding Archer.
90, guardy" she CRIED who is that
beautiful lady who lives in the next houseP'
"That is Miss Elwell, Zana."
"And what is her first name p
Her first name is Blanche" said Archer
his voice trembling, for this was the first
time her name had passed his lips since they
| narted six long wears ago.
"Blanche Elwell What a beautiful
namel And Miss Elwell is just as beauti-
full as her name, only she is cold and sad
she looks like marble. What makes her so
sad, guardy She looks as if no one loved
her. Does any one love her p
al think we all must be loved by some
one, dear Zana," said Archer.
ado you love Miss Elwell, guardy ?"
asked Zana nnocently.
Archer turned pale.
docs not the Bible tell us that we must
love one another ?" he asked. But tell
me how you came to see this lady,"
al was walking along the street, and
stopped to look at the pretty flowers in her
garden, when heard the sweetest voice say:
What is your name, little girl 2 ! looked
up and Miss Elwel was standing by my
side. told her my name was Zana Marco
|
| said was Mr.. Cliftons little girl now;
and then told her how good you were to
take me when my mamma died. and had
no one to love me. And when | told her
that she took me in her arms and held me
so tight, and kissed me again and again.
| And then heard her whisper something
about always noble and generous and then
she cried. Why, guardy, you are crying,
toow And the impulsive child put her arms
around his neck and kissed away the tears
which had sprung to his eyes. Guardy,
dear, darling guardy, did | make you cry y
"No, sweet child, you are my comfort, my
angel" said Archer, with a strong effort at
self-control "Now, darling, run to your
play
Then he locked the door, and for hours he
paced the floor in troubled thought. He
lived over the past and all his old love for
Blanche was aroused Could it be that she,
too, loved him ? Zana said she cried when
she spoke of him. Were her tears for Zana
or for him Oh, that he had remained in
Europ;l He thought his love for Blanche
was dead, but now he found it had only
lain dormant all this time. Selling his hat
he rushed from the house. He walked on
and on until he found himself in a small
grove belonging to the Elwell estate. As
turned back, but Zana sprang from the woods
and caught him by the hand, saying;
"Come here, guardy | want to show you
something"
Archer took one step forward and was
brought face to face with Blanche. The
latter started with low cry. Zana caught
her hand and drew her toward Archer,
saying;
"There, you two must be friends. l love
you both and | want you to love each other.
You do love Miss Elwell, don't you, guardy ?"
Archer held out his arms.
Blanche" he said, "may love you ?"
"Oh, Archer, Archer" and Blanche threw
herself into his arms, sobbing convulsively.
He strained her passionately to his heart,
covering her face with kisses.
"Oh, Archer, do you forgive me p? have
suffered so much"
Darling, do forgive you," was Archer's
reply.
Dear Archer, repented my hasty words
the moment they were spoken, and heaven
only knows the misery have endured since
then. When we all thought you were dead
| considered myself your murderer. Oh,
can hardly believe you love me still. 1t
seems like a dream, said Blanche" half
smiling half weeping as she gazed fondly
into his eyes.
My own darling, | will very soon make
it real by marrying you. You must become
my wife to-day" Archer replied.
"Oh, Ill cannotl" gasped the girl,
half frightened.
| Dearest, you must. | have waited so
long for you, and now | can wait no longer
Will you not do as | wish in this ?'' he
pleaded.
eyes, Archer, / will" replied Blanche, as
she hid her face on his shoulder.
"Thank God for such happiness - he e&-
claimed, fervently. But where is my little
Zana? Only for her we should never have
known this happiness, fear. Oh, Blanche,
you will be jealous of Zana ?"
"Archer, don't |" exclaimed Blanche, as
the tears sprang to her eyes.
Forgive me, dearest, for wounding you,
and we will never mention the painful sub
ject again. We will now go home to mother
and Zana.
Zana had slipped away from the lovers
and hurried home to tell Mrs. Clifton that
Archer was down in the grove embracing
Miss Elwell." The dear old lady under
stood at once, and met the reunited lovers at
the door.
"God bless you, my children - she ex-
claimed, as she embraced them both.
49, 10 youi N"uShecij hioeiipi. ohc hoo
promised to marry me tonight" said Archer.
" He coaxed and persuaded until was
obliged to consent, Mrs. Clifton" Blanche
replied, laughing.
81 am glad it is so, dear. | have long
wished to call you daughter" was the reply.
The wedding followed that evening. 1t
would be hard to tell who was the happiest,
the bride, the groom, or Zana, as she fut-
tered about like a bird from one to the other.
, All of Archer's efforts to find the child's
father were fruitless. 1t was evident that
he was dead, so Zana remained the almost
: idolized child of her kind friends. Other
J children came to them after a time, but
, Zana was loved as well, if not better, than
any of them.-Seiected
YESTERDAY a ragged, shivering, middle
aged man called at house on Sibley street
and asked for food, but the lady of the house