St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1878-07-20

his books and thoughts tor COM
pany. He had 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
hit have owned to anything of the kind.
One day he was riding in the suburbs
of London, and came upon little child
sitting by the wayside, sobbing bitterly.
She had her apron full of primroses and
violets, and q black-and- white kitten was
cuddled up in her arms. Moved by
some impulse which he could not have
explained, Arkwright stopped his horse
and accosted her. She sobbed out her
little story with all ehild's Ingenious
ness. Her mamma had gone somewhere
to carry work, and she and Spot had
gone to walk by themselves, and they
had walked, oh, so 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 tor doing so, Ark
wright took her into his 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
discover her relatives. After 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-
cal man found himself loving her as
little before he had not dreamed of low
ing anything again. After the lapse 'of
a fortnight, the idea Of her leaving him
became absolutely unbearable. He got
SO nervous that he started at every
sound of the bell-fearful that some one
was coming to claim her.
She and the kitten hadit all their own
way in Arkwright House. They strayed
in the library and upset the books and
papers to their mutual satisfaction. Lily
sat on Arkwright's knee q 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
inquisitive little nose into his face, all
unrebuked.
But one day, just as Arkwright was
beginning to feel sure of the child, lady
came for her. This lady was tall and
slight, and wore black, and had her face
covered by 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
few towards her.
"Mammal darling mammal she
cried, covering her with kisses. II SO
dad 90 tum! Now 90 and I, and Spot,
and papa are all togedderp'
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
very slender>looking purse; and, being
Indignantly refused, she turned to 60.
Lily was in her arms. Arkwright took
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 checked
voice.
"Mr. Arkwrightl'
She was the calmer of the two. A
woman always is in cases of emergency.
All the old love, fierce and ungovernable
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. I wish you good
morning."
He caught her arm in an iron grasp.
"Stop! my child! mine! I" he cried,
dreaming, as if it were an effort for him
to realize it.
"No, not yours new," 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
I shall see you in this world-I will tell
you the truth. You were jealous of my
brother!"
"Your brother! I never knew you
had one! p
:" That was where I erred. Arthur
was two years my Junior, and cruel
misfortune placed him in a position
where he was suspected of forgery. He
was unable to prove his innocence, and
he fled from mistaken justice. I was
too proud to tell you that I was the sis
ter of one whom the world looked upon
as felon. In that I sinned. I had
secret from you, and upon that rock our
happiness was wrecked. Thank heaven
Arthur is free now-the guilty party has
confessed, and my brother is a man once
more"
Arkwright snatched her to his breast,