Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1878-10-10

the fence, or some neighbor saw bel
home from church could not tell. oar
old mans temper, l suppose" I said
and sighed like young one.
SO three years passed. At the end OF
that time Aletta's husband died. They
had quarreled, and she had made him
wofully jealous, it is said, and all his
property save mere pittance was willed
to strangers.
One day lady in black walked into
my office; when she lifted her veil I 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.
Courteously and quite calmly I heard
her business. She intended to contest
the will and needed advice. I gave he1
what l could. l referred her to Il brother
lawyer as the one who would best espouse
her cause. As for myself I told her
truly that my time was too much occll.
pied to undertake anything more, and l
wished her success.
She looked at me wlstfully with her
great blue eyes full Of tears as she rose
to go.
1T was cruel of him." she said, "cruel
to leave me so poor, but he was never
kind, never-not in the honeymoon
even"
81 regret to hear it," I 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 I love STILL" she said.
And heaven knows no feeling OF re-
venge or petty triumph was in my heart
when l looked in Aletta Stanton's eyes
as if l did not understand her, and
courteously bowed her out.
odd | ever care for that womanW
thought, cor is it all dreamY
l took my adopted child to the theatre
that night and We saw the Lady of Lyons
together. 1t was her first play-going
experience, and she enjoyed it immense
IL. She wore white dress and bonnet
and the coral drops I had fastened few
days before in her pretty little ears. l
could not help looking into her eyes and
touching her hand with mine. When
left her l kissed her.
Goodnight, my child" said.
And she answered goodnight" with
a cheek dyed on the instant deeper
scarlet, and ran away as Betty came out
to chat with me.
From that night | dated an odd
change. My adopted child seemed shy
of letting me keep her hand-shy even
of chatting as she did. Perhaps some of
these farmers who leaned over the gate
at sunset, some Of those young fellows
who so often escorted her home from
church, had won her from me. Igrew a
little moody. I found myself in brown
studies when should have been at
work. At last determined to discover
whether was really to lose my child,
and went down to the cottage. found
her there sitting at work with Betty.
After all, it was no easy task. could
not do as l had hoped. Itried TESTING,
and spoke of one and of the other young
fellows near. owe shall have Nellie
stolen from us, suppose" 1 said.
There is nothing SO easy lost from a
family as a pretty daughter. But who
is to have you, Nellie?
She looked at me as children look be-
fore they burst into tears-her chin
quivering, her throat swelling-then she
dropped her work, and stole FROM the
room without answering me.
What ails the child, Betty" I asked,
"have I offended her?'
Old Betty stood before me sturdy and
stern-a look in her face that [ had
never yet seen there.
"Master Albert" she said, whatever
she was when she came here, Nellie is no
child now. Oh, Master Albert, I can t
believe you've done it on purpose. You
couldn't-such sweet innocent thing
but it's done. Ali can say is, go away,
or let her 60, and maybe the wound
will heal. I ought to have spoken in
time. I was an old fool. Oh, how
could you, Master Albert? How could
your"
"What have have -done?" l cried.
4 would die rather than harm her.
"And yet you have made her love
you," said Betty, sternly. "You've
been very selfish, Master Albert"
A new light dawned upon me, radi-
ance brilliant beyond my hopes.
"Betty," said " You are dreaming.
She must think me old enough to be a
grandfather, with my long face, and
bald crown, and this crutch. I've had
one dream broken; don't set me dream
ing again for heavens sake"
Old Betty looked at me, and then
caught my face in both her hands and
kissed me.
"Master Bertie," said she, "1 shan't
tell you word more; 60 and find out
what you want to know for yourself.
fellow!"
l found my child under the grape
vine, her face was wet with tears. I sat
down by her, and put my arm about her
waist.
"Nellie," said I, "don't shrink from
me. I am your true friend. Your
friend whatever you may give me now.
I am older than you. am not vain
enough to think myself young girls
beau-ideal. But I do love you dearly,
Nellie. Can you love me enough to be
my wife? If you cannot, if another
claims your heart, do not say yes from
gratitude. Tell me the truth, and still
retain a fathers, brothers affection,
Nellie"
1 bent over her, and my life seemed in
her keeping. Until that moment had
not known myself I loved her madly
II felt it now - better, far better
than in my youth I had loved Aletts
Stanton.
"Nelliel" said; "Nellie?" and 8
brown hand was laid of its own accord in
mine, and beneath my gaze the dark
eyes did not dare to lift themselves, but
hid their sweetness ON my breast. Nellie
was mine.
I sat with her beating heart 80 nea,
my own, and thought it all over. I re
membered the child in her cotton gow1
standing in the gallery of the church or
the wedding day. remembered thu
child whom T had taught; the girl with
whom I had passe 80 many happy, hours
felt that this living life, sprung
phenix-like, from the ashes of the dead
was Ito ptiEet feeling offmylfe. II III
So my Old fancy Of keeping house viii
my childacame&4 true at last; only4whe1
she crossed the threshold of my HON,
| With mo ca11oNl hor vifa And tn