Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1879-01-16

escort. He was too proud to care for
the fact that the quaint little figure on
his arm attracted many an amused
glance, but gracefully stood by while a
new dress for Dolly, the dairy maid,
a city necktie for Bob, the ploughman,
were purchased. Iri
He gave Individual attention to the
more important selection OF black
silk for auntie, herself; and pleasantly
accepted blue silk scarf, with large
red spots, that was presented to him,
apprecisling the love that prompted
the gift, and mentally promised to
wear it when he paid the promised visit
to the farm. He drove Aunt Sabina to
the Park, he took her TO see all the
sights.
Once or twice, meeting some Of his
gentlemen friends, they had thought
the queer old lady is some rich rela-
ton. GOrham is so very attentive
and had delighted Sabina by their def
erential attention. ~ U.al-
Once-Fred had not counted on that
lin picture gallery, COrdelia Cald
well sauntered In alone. She had
heard of Sabins through the disguised
comments of Lucilla, and knew that
she had no property but u miserable
farm;' but she greeted Fred with 8
smile far more cordial than she usually
gave her admirers. A little lump
came into Fred's throat. Then he
gravely introduced the stately beauty
in her rustling silk, to the little, old
fashioned figure on bis arm. =
MY aunt, Miss Gorhsm; Miss Csld-
well.' They admired the pictures to-
gether, and the young lady was cor
dial and chatty.
After they came down the steps Miss
Caldwell said: You must let your aunt
drive an hOnr or two with me, Mr..
Gorham, am going to do some shop
ping, so will not tax your patience
by inviting you to join Us, but l shall
be pleased il Miss Gorham will dine
with me, and you will call for her
this evening"
Then she smiled again, made Sabina
comfortable in the carriage, and leav-
ing Fred forty times deeper in love
than ever, as she intended he should
be.
He is a very prince of a man, she
thought, and I'LL give him one days
|
just such eyes as my grandmother
Then she won Sabina's confidence.
and found she was worrying about
the purchase of q certain household
matter that would not go into the black
leather trunk, and that she did not
like to worry Fred about it.
She drove to the places where the
best goods could be had, keeping guard
over the slender purse against all i'm
position, till the last towel was satis-
factorily chosen and directed. Then
she drove home and brought her to
the room where grandmother was
queen, knowing the stately old lady
would make the country woman well
come.
In the evening that ollowed, Fred's
heart was touched and warmed, until
scarcely conscious Of his own words,
he told his long cherished secret, and
knew that he had won love for love.
Aunt Sabina stayed two weeks, and
then vent home, to the Immense re-
lief of the Gorhams, and carrying no
regret Of leaving any but Fred and
COrdelis.
1t WAS not even suspected that Cor
della spent four weeks iu the height of
the summer season listening to the
praise of Fred at Sabina's farm house,
and even Fred did not know 1t until
he came too, after she was gone and
had his share of the pleasure of hearing
loving concentrations of the one he
loved.
He wore the necktie, and made him
self so much at home that Sabina wept
some of the bitterest tears of her life
when he left.
TO have you both and lose you'll she
sUbbed.
Next time we will come together,
Fred whispered, and 80 consoled her.
But alas! The next time Fred came
was to superintend the funeral Of the
gentle old lady, and though Cordelia
camc, too, his happy vile, there was no
welcome in the pale lips or the blue
eyes closed forever.
But the will the old lady left gave
all her worldly possessions to her dear
nephew, Frederick Gorham-the farm
and the farm house.
1t was apparently no very great leg
acy, and Cordelia smiled st many oi
the old fashioned treasures, as she
touched all with the tender reverence
death leaves.
Ten years ago Sabina was laid to rest
in her narrow coffin, and there Is bu-
sy fourishing town around the site Of
the old farm.
Mr.. Frederick Gorham lives there
now, and handles immense sums oi
money, the rents of stately buildings.
Made his money, sir, by specula-
tion,' you will be told If you inquire
as to his source of income; fortunate
purchase of ground before the town
was thought Of
But 1. who know, tell you the only
speculation ne made was in the kind
ness of his heart, extending loving at.
tentions to his fathers sister; and the
only land he ever owned was Aunt Sa'
| bina's farm.