The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1878-05-17

ness. He built mansion, and lived
alone in it, with his books and thoughts
for company. He had a retinue OF serv-
ants to anticipate his every wish; he sat
at costly table, and drank wine as old |
as the hills; he drove horses worth a |
fortune; he had everything that wealth |
could purchase, and yet he was never at |
peace. though for the world he would |
not have owned to anything OF the kind.
One day ne was riding in the suburbs
of London, and came upon little child
sitting by the wayside, sobbing bitterly.
She had her apron full of pr1mroses and
violets, and black and-white kitten vas
cuddled up in her arms. Moved by
some impulse which he could not have
explained, Arkwright stopped his horse
and acoosted her. She sobbed out her
little story with oil ohild's ingenious
ness. Her mamma had gone some
where to carry work, and she and Spot
had gone to walk by themselves, and
they had walked, oh, 80 far and now
they were lost
Her name was Lily, and the kittens
name was Spottie, and that was all she
could tell to prove her identity. Sur
prised at himself for doing 30, Ark
wright took her into the carriage-kitten
and all-and carried her to his own
home.
He advertised her, and for the first two
or three days made some effort to discov-
er her relatives. syAfter that, he did not
want to discover them. Into his cold,
closed heart Lily had crept, and made
her home there; and the desolate, cyni-
col man found himself loving her rs
little before he had not dreamed of low
ing anything again. After the lapse of
a fortnight, the idea of Lily's leaving
him became absolutely unbearable. He
got 80 nervous that he started at every
sound of the bell-fearful that some one
was coming to claim her.
She and the kitten had it all their own
way in Arkwright House. The strayed
in the library, and upset the books and
papers to their mutual satisfaction. Lilly
sat on Arkwright's knee great deal of
the time, amusing herself with braiding
and curling his hair into the most gro
tesque shapes; and Spot, with feline au-
dacity, mounted on his shoulder, and
nibbled the top of his pen, or thrust her
| btb1N hCoO INV LILO AiNNy I'LL
unrebuked.
But one day, just as Arkwright was
beginning to feel sure of the child, q la
dy came for her. This lady was tall and
slight, and wore black, and had her face
covered by a thick veil. Something in
her low, sweet voice stirred the inner
most depths of Mark Arkwright's ma
ture, but fierce pang shot through him
when he saw with what eagerness Lily
flew towards her.
mamma darling mamma" she
cried, covering her with kisses. CT so
dad 90 tum Now 90 aid I, and Spot,
and papa are all togedder p
Arkwright redeemed. He HAD been
weak enough to teach this child to call
him papa. he wondered what the lady
thought OF his presumption; but she
seemed unwilling TO linger. She thanked
him for the care he had given Lily
offered to pay him for his trouble from
a very looking purse; and, being
indignantly refused, she turned to go.
Lily was in her arms. Arkwright took
q step toward them, and Lily threw an
arm around his neck, drawing him up
close, and face TO face with the lady.
Through the thick folds of the veil their
eyes met. He started back, pallid and
trembling.
Augusta ~ he faltered, in q choked
voice.
"Mr. Arkwright p
She was the calmer of the two. A
woman always is in cases of emergency.
All the old love, fierce and upgovern-
able, rose up within him.
"This child Whose is it?" he
asked.
"Mine and yours" she answered,
quietly. "She was born four months
after our separation. l wish you good
morning."
He caught her arm in an iron grasp.
"Stop My child Mine :" he cried.
dreaming, as if it were an effort for
him to realize it.
"No, not yours now," she said, steadI-
ly. "You forfeited the right to claim
her when you drove her mother from
her home. Mark, at this time-the last
time L shall see you in this world will
tell you the truth. You were jealous OF
my brother |"
"Your brother 1 never knew you
had oner'
"That was where / erred. Arthur
was two years my junior, and q cruel mis-
fortune placed him in a position where
he was suspected of forgery. He was
unable to prove his innocence, and he
fed from mistaken justice. i was toe
proud to tell you that was the sister OF
one whom the world looked upon as q
felon. In that sinned. had secret
from you, and upon that rock our happi.
ness was wrecked. Thank Heaven
Arthur is free now-the guilty party has
confessed, and my brother is man once
more"
Arkwright snatched her to his breast
and would not let her go. She tried hel
best to escape, but he held her fast. ]
suppose he won her pardon some way
for she remained at Arkwright House
and Lily and Spot remained likewise.
Go there to-day, and you will see the
happiest family this side of paradise.
f,,fc xsE