Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1879-10-23


Why, bless you. it's my sistcrl
Dear Quiz, how did you come herePi
and he caught her UP in his arms and
kissed her before them all.
Her story was soon told, and several
of the gentlemen started of after the
Williams, who were found in the very
shed where Quiz had left them, and the
rest assisted the conductor getting the
bridge in place. Quiz was taken on
board with Fred and when the bridge
had been fixed, the train moved down
To the station, where u crowd of anxious
citizens, who had rcccivcda "A prcmonition
that something was wrong. had gath
cred.
OF course papa was with the rest, and
when hc heard what "A little heroine
Quiz had become, lac kissed her very
tenderly and was very thankful that he
had kept and cared for the homeless
little girl whom the strange woman had
thrust so unccrcmoniously upon him.
But the strangcst part of the story is
yet Ia come. Among the gentlemen who
came forward Ia thank Quiz and CON
gratulatc papa on having such brave
little daughter, was the kind faced man
who had first spoken to Quiz when she
had found herself lying on the ground
hiN'l llf u Atil ll'tAl IlilNN'N Itl. NO
sooner did he speak than papa rccog
nizcd him as his old friend and school
mate, Arthur Wilburton. whom he had
not seen for nearly twenty years. He
invited him to accompany him to our
home. and he did so.
We. at home. were still sitting around
the fire, wondering anNiously why papa
and Fred did not come and feeling
thankful that the storm had Mt last
abatcd, when we heard papa's night-key
in the door and in minute more they
came into the room, papa carrying Quiz,
who was weak and pale. while her
clothing was disordcrcd and covered
with mud. Fred and Mr.. Wilburton
followed close behind him
Nell uttered little scream ~ she saw
Quiz, and the rest of us stared in amaze
mcnt. for we supposed Quiz was safe in
her own room. and we could not account
for her disordercd appearance. Papa
soon told us the story. and then we all
cried and kissed her and called her our
little heroine. and when mamma insisted
upon putting her tn bed. fearing the cN-
posurc might make her i'll. we ali wanted
To sit up and help take care Of her.
The next morning. while we were all
in the breakfast. room visiting with MIR.
Wilburton, and almost smulhcring
Quiz with tender solicitudc. the former
suddenly turned toward papa and said
You don't know. Frederic, how
much your little daughter, Orphic, re-
minds me of my lost wife She has the
same soft eyes and quiet ways, and the
same tones in her voice"
Why, Arthur" said papa; II did
not know YOU had ever been marricl,"
L
sadly; ." but did not long enjoy domcs-
tic happiness. But few years after
Nettic and were married, ! became un-
fortunate in business spccuiations and
went 10 California in search Of luck.
" | had been there two years and was
beginning to look anNiously forward Ia
the time when | could have Ncttie with
me. when | received y letter informing
me Of her death.
In those DAYS it was sometimes
months after n letter was sent before we
received it. ] arranged my business AS
soon ~ ! could. and returned 10 my old
home in search Of our child. and found
that strange family who had been liv-
ing in the house with Nettic had taken
her with them. Whittier this family
had gone could not learn. They were
n strange wandering family. and had left
for parts unknown in the night. have
Travelled far and wide. and have spent n
good-sizcd fortune searching tor ms little
one. but fear shall never sec my little
Mamie again. Fortune has been kind
to me; ! am rich now. but I'd give my
whole fortune for my child If could
but find her.n
There were tears in his eyes as he
ceased speaking. and we all felt sad. for
we were beginning 10 love the man of
whom papa had so often told us. But
Quiz was very much excited. her checks
were red, her eyes full Of tears. while
her breast heaved with every breath as
she leaned forward with Claspcd hands.
Did you learn the name ofthc family
who took the child?' asked papa, after
n pause.
YES: they were called Sam and Lue
Brown"
At this Quiz uttered a cry and sp-ang
forward.
81 knew It now. I'm Mamie. I'm
Mamie. I'm Mamic" she exclaimed.
passiouatcly. falling at Mr.. Wilburtons
feet. and sohbing as hard as she coula.
What does this mcan'" faltcrcd Mr..
Wilburton. " Frederic. is not this your
child?"
In As few words rs possible papa told
him the story Of how Quiz came TO be a
member Of our family.
" But have you nothing. nothing. my
child, which YOU brought with you from
your old homer" asked Mr.. Wilburton,
trembling between hope and fear.
"Only this sobbed Quiz. taking
locket from her neck; "the sick woman
who called me Mamie gave It to me 10
keep always.
With trembling hands Mr.. Wilburton
took the trinket and opened Il. then
pressed II TO his lips as he exclaimed.
" It's Nettie herself. her own face. |
remember tho locket now"
We young people slipped out Of the
room then. and when we returned Quiz
was leaning against Mr.. Wilburton's
chair with her hand in his. looking
brighter and happier than we had ever
seen her before.
II was very hard for us TO give her up
just as she had become the dearest sister
in all the world. but Mr.. Wilhurton did
not take her far away. He bought
beautiful house not far from us, ever
which Ouiz prpaidpd In her awoct