The Van Buren press., 1878-05-28

81 promise"
"Let me 60 now for it. l will return
very soon. The carriage is waiting
yet for Aunt Sarah's orders for this
evening.
81 will soon be here
She was gone, while her husband still
wondered at her earnestness Mrs. Hill.
bourne, supposiLg her guests had both
departed in the carriage Mabel had as ed
permission to use for an hour, was in
dulgng in nap.
Up and down the long drawing,
room the millionaire paced slowly
thinking OF the sweet, fair face that
had come TO bring sunshine into his
lonely life. A very ldeely life it had
been for five long years, since his only
child naa repaia Lis idssli.-ir,s ivru VI
such base ingratitude. But perhaps
he was to blame, that he had never
before crossed that strong will No
doubt Helen had thought his forgive
ness would be easily won, and he had
been cruel to resolve not to look again
upon her face.
Poor Helen! had she been happy in
her choice? He had spent many. many
hours thinking of her radiant beauty,
her brilliant mind, ever embittered by
the memory of how she had repaid his
worshiping love. But to-day there were
softer emotions awakened. Was it the
touch OF Mabel's sof thand, the pleading
in her violet eyes n She was gone long
time. What gift would she bring him
that was SO precious she feared he would
refuse it?
He heared the carriage stop. There
was light step across the hall, up the
stairs Not Mabel, then! Mabel would
come to him at once.
Wearied with waiting, and disap-
pointed, too, Mr.. Thurston sat down in
a great arm chair, and drew small
stand, with photograph album, near
to him. With the shadow of his recent
memory. pictures he looked at his 81
years. The iron gray hair was heavy
still, and his eyes were brilliant with
intellect and vigor, but the curves OF
his mouth were sad, and his attitude was
listless.
While he turned the leaves Of his al
bum, with slow touch the door opened
amp child entered the room. A child
of marvellous beauty, with long chestnut
curls falling round a slender throat, and
eyes large, dark and soft as a fawn's; a
dress of pure white fell around the small,
slight figure.
Mr.. Thurston turned deadly pale.
The little upturned face seemed to
have come to him from a long dead
past-thc past whom Helen was child,
q haha 70 pat and oarose-
While he wondered, the child said in a
sweet, clear voice:
Grandpa. ! am Mabels birthday
present"
The room seemed rolling around the
strong man.
"Grandpa"
1t was Helcn's child them Was his
daughter dead? Where had Mable found
this lovely babe, over whom his heart
yearned already?
Grandpa said the sweet voice again.
/" will you not kiss me2 Mabel said you
would kiss me?"
Tenderly, as if she was a sacred
trust, Mr.. Thurston lifted the child
to his knee, and kissed the rosebud
mouth.
Tell me your name, little one" he
said.
"Helen Thurston Hunt. Mamma calls
me Nellie"
"Where is namma?'
"Home. Home amt as nice as this I"
added the child, looking admiringly at
the long beautiful rooms.
How came you here I"
The little one settled herself comforta-
bly, for long story.
Mabel-she told me her name was
with the other lady this
and she gave me the money
for n new doll. When l gave it to man.
ma she cried-what do you suppose she
cried for"
81 cannot tell, dear"
"Well, she did. She put the money
away and told me tomorrow she would
get the doll. Then she coughed and
coughed and, coughed, and spit nasty
red blood, same as she always does when
she coughs, and had to lie down. Oh,
please don't!"
For groan had broken from her grand
fathers lips.
"No, dear no. Tell me the rest
81 was playing softly when Mabel
came again. She talked to mamma a
long time and they both criod, and Mabel
Kissed mamma
"God bless herr
mamma said that. Then mamma
said l might go to ride with Mabel
First she took me to the stores, and
bought all these pretty clothes--see new
boots and dress and all. Then we came
here, and curled my hair and dressed me.
Then she brought me to the door and
,old me to come in, and say Grandpa, l
I'M Mabel's birthday present. If you
Kissed me, | was to run and tell her. !
guess III 60 now"
Down she scrambled and ran again to
he door When she came back, she led
Mabel by the hand. Mabel was very pale
md trembling little.
But lifting her eyes, the young wife
knew that her loving, daring act had
brought no anger to her husbands
Dearly as he had ever loved
ler, there was added tenderness in his
voice as he folded her in close embrace,
md said:
MAY God bless you. Mabel, for re.
storing my child to me-