The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1879-02-21

Harriet, and was dreaming of woman
older utfairer than she, when into my
dream stole voice and the sound Of my
own name. -.a "a
SIS everything ready, Shirley dear?"
Hooked mp. There were two people at:
the little round table nearest iline--a Indy,
quietly dressed. as il for travelling. in black,
without touch Of color; and tall, straight
broadshoaldersd STRIPPING, with a young
facs Like hers. knew they were mother
! and son even before he answered. her.
\ ..An ready. The train starts In an hour.
You've got nothing at all to do, Madame
Mere, but to sit and read novel, or look
out of the window till call you." :.
And then they laughed together. She
had girlish laugh and Girlish face-and
yet it was sorrowful one, too. Her eyes
were brown. looked into them, and all
my youth-time looked back again; and I
saw the old house in the old street in New
Orleans, and the face in the window, and
heard the baby hands patting on the psnes.
Only two brown eyes, and a sweet voice,
and words spoken softly to call up Oh that
witchery!
She rose from the table almost taat
minute.
II don't want the Strawberries, Shirley.
Pm going up to my room; and, II you
want me to read q novel, You must run
out and get me one. I've packed every
thing, and want some light reading for
the cars"
Her dress was sweeping by my chair as
she spoke, and, stirring my senses-fast
asleep for 80 long--came soft, violet
scent. was going mad, believed. 40
if no woman but Edna LsCompte had ever
used that faint, subtle perfume
started up and strode out Of the dining
room, following those two, and saw tho
mother go up the staircase-a slight, dainti-
ly-mosing little figure, with touch of
girlish grace in it still-while the son
passed ON before me to the hotel He
went and leaned over the desk and spoke to
the clerk in his CHEEKY, fresh voice, and I
stood near him, turning the leaves Of the
hotel register. ...
'Mrs, Shirley Lecompte."
SHIRLEY Lecompte, New York City"
turned and put my two hands on hiC
shoulders. could have taken him to my
heart and kissed the child likeness in his
face, but did not say one word for Q
minute while he flashed his brown eyes
round ON me with half angry little
frown.
care you Shirley Lecompte's sona Where
where is your father ?"
my father is dead. That was his name,''
looking straight into my face. And then
dropped my hands.
II was your fathers friend, my boy. I
Il can BEE his looks in you; and your
mother! Will you take me to your mother,
Shirley?"
1
Well, have forgiven him-the man who
stole the sweetness out Of life for me; he
is dead and buried, and Edna is alive.
| Twenty years ago forged letter told her
that she was q widow, and the old man
and his wife had their daughter back again;
twenty years she kept her life sacred to my
memory, and loved me in her child, and
/ waited for another world TO give her into
! my arms again. She told it all to me that
day-a long, long story, but this was the
sum of it; was dead and was alive again
| was lost and was found
And my life had its aim and crown, even
80 late; my love blossomed new, and my
heart warmed fresh with old dead 'fres-
we were happy, Edna and I. Ont of the
baby's grave rose upmy strong, manly son
to carry my name in honor and pride; il
will have nobler meaning when am gone
| - =