The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1878-03-22

lips met In that never-to- be forgotten first
kiss of love. f.
The next letter Alice received from home
contained news which made her feel sadly.
Beechwood, their dear old home, had been
sold.
"Allie," wrote Josie, 1--WE do not know
who is the purchaser; but whoever it is, he
is having it fitted up in princely style. :"
Then, with favorable reports of the mothers
health and many questions about the ''new
brother" the letter closed.
Of course Alice had to go home to make
her preparations for her marriage, which
Roland wished to be very soon. Miss
Grey said she was too old to attempt to
come to the wedding. AS Alice bade her
good-by the old lady held her to her heart
for moment, and then kissing the sweet
face to which she had been the means of
bringing so happy look, placed her in
her betrothed husbands care for the home
ward journey.
1t did not take many days to convince the
mother that her child had chosen wisely
and well, and Josie and the little brothers
gave him q place in their hearts right
away.
So no cloud, even "as large as a mans
hand" obscured the sun of Aice's happi-
ness, as she stood by Roland's side and
promised to Glove, honor and obey"
The wedding tour was a long one. After
many delicious days, spent first in one
beautiful spot and then in another, they
bent their steps homeward.
1t had been decided that they were first
to spend some time at Alice's own home.
So when the depot carriage did not stop at
the cottage door, but drove on into the
grounds of her old home, Beechwood, and
there under the great carved stone porch
stood her mother, sister, brothers and Miss
Grey, what wonder was it that Alice became
so dazed that her husband had to lift her
in his strong arms and carry her into the
midst of the eager group before she real
lied or understood anything?
That evening, when they were all as
sembled in the dear familiar library, now
ablaze with light, which touched and
brought ont every luxurious detail, Alice
was told wonderful story.
Miss Grey was her mothers own aunt.
Years before, the old lady, then not old,
but Just recovering from grief at the loss
of her betrothed husband, had taken her
dead sisters infant daughter under her
roof and into her heart, as later she had
taken Roland. The infant grew up into a
lovely girl, and became attached to gen.
tleman whom Miss Grey did not like. The
young couple had been forbidden to meet;
but taking matters in her own hands, had
eloped.
"That girl, Alice, was your mother
have an unforgiving nature, my DEAR
Miss Grey continued, land when
found what she had done, vowed I never
would see or forgive her. But child Gods
ways are mysterious; when I read your
advertisement and recognized you name
Alice Justin-your mothers name, had
given it to her myself-all the old love for
your mother came back to nay heart, and
sent for you. And SO my precious Alice,
b,u tbo of Hy,, H,o oT.
to me my youthful heart, for have never
been really happy since your mother and
parted"
By this time Mrs. Justin's asms wees
around the old lady's neck, and they
were sobbing together from very happi-
ness.
Beeehwoed had been purchased by Miss
Grey for Roland, to whom after his en-
gagement with Alice she had told all tho
above story.
Miss Grey did not go back to her lonely
home; and Beechwood again rings with the
music of youthful voices. Mrs. Justin's
health is steadily improving, and Josie
queens il right royalty as Miss Justin, Of
Beechwood.
Roland and Alice vie with each other in
smoothing their dear old friends declining
years, and it is a pretty sight to sec the
look of peace and content which lights up
the withered face, as her eyes look upon
their welded happiness.