The Breckenridge news. (Cloverport, Ky.) 1876-1955, 1879-04-09

by the fat, smiling, rosy baby-girl who came
to bless the young couple q year after
their marriage
Only six months back there came to Cas-
tlcford the news that Mark Elton Firth was
dead, and that he died suddenly Of fever
abroad, and was buried there. Itgave some
little food for gossip to the good people Of
Castleford. Mark Elton Firth was the first
who bore the name to find foreign resting.
place
Then it was hoped that Miss Pearl"
and her husband would take up their resi-
dence at Banner-Cross; but the hope died
out as the weeks passed by and there came
no sign Of their RETURN
Reports sometimes reached the quiet old
town Of the gay life led by the two in the
cities where Deighton Firth delighted to So
journ. London and Paris and Vienna, it
was said, had each in turn acknowledged
Pearl as the queen of beautiful women; but
it was added in hushed whispers, though
how the report arose none could say. that
the beautiful girl who had been reared
among them was most unhappy. Nell
Verny had heard it spoken many times, as
had Christian Graham.
Is It Of this he thinks as he sits one dreary
November evening looking dreamily into
the brightly blazing 6re2 Is he recalling
the days long vanished, and the hopes that
made them appear so joyous and gladstone 2
Is he picturing the sweet face that Of yore,
CHANGING into the quiet rooms filled them
as with CLEAN of blessed golden sunlight
His head is bent forward upon his breast,
and the fre-glow playing upon it shows
amid the chestnut curls many silver thread,
shows lines Of patient, quiescent suffering
about the firm lips, with the curves betoken-
ing sepsitiveness as acute as in a woman;
shows the expression Of pain and longing
only half subdued in the deep blue eyes.
He has sat for some time, ever since the
shadows Of the short winter day began to
gather, never moving.
He has thought the old pain conqa cred,
the old love subdued, the idol dethroned
from its PEDESTAL ever since the morning
when he read that Pearl had gone into the
keeping of another he has turned esolutely
away from every longing thought, every
fond memory. Yes; Christian ever tries to
act Alright both in thought and deed.
This evening the battle which he has
thought ended has to be fought all over
again. This evening memory will return
with an infinite longing to the olden days,
and the warfare RACES iercely.
"What manner Of man am that j should
covet another mans wife? / despise my
self. But, oh, my little lost love, whom l
lost through fraud and deceit, you are un-
happy, and sorrow for your fate!'
With mournful, dreary sough the wind
goes whistling around the house, and the
rain beats fitfully against the window-l'anes,
and the shadows fall deeper and deeper.
There is a sound of carriage wheels in
the distance; they draw nearer and nearer,
but the man sitting there in his pain never
moves.
They stop at the parsonage gate, but
Christian never heeds them. Some few mo-
ments pass, but still he sits there drearaing.
Here's the coachman from Mr.. Verny's
Mr.. Christian" Judith says, entering the
room, az thought you were asleep, sir. /
knocked twice, and you never spoke"
1.-THE coachman from Mr.. Verny'sT
Christian repeats, rousing himself and ex-
hibiting some little surprise.
He has brought note for you" Judith
continues, handing Christian dainty white
envelope, fragrant with some sweet subtitle
perfume, "and he said that he expected
you'd be going back with him."
In mute wonderment Christian breaks the
seal of his letter-his wonderment increas-
es as he reads.
II wish you would return with Willis
Nell writes II can not come to you, and i
can not in a letter enter into any explana.
ton as to why am so DESTROYS that you
should come | can only say that ] am in
urgent need Of your presence and advice"
A few moments given to preparation for
his journey. and then Christian Graham is
being driven along the road, through the
gloomy, gusty, dismal November evening,
towards Birchfelds, the residence of his
sister.
1t puzzles him not little as he goes
along, this hurried, peremptory summons
from Nell. What can II meanf II there
were illness, but he has assured himself on
that point by questioning Willis; sohe must
wait patiently few minutes longer.
Birchfelds at last Outwardly the house
is cheerful and goodly to behold; aud there,
coming into the warm cozy hall at the sound
of carriags-wheels, is Nellie.
One quick, searching glance, and Christ
ian is resssured his fears are quieted. In
its sweet gravity Nell's face may be a little
more serious and thoughtful than is custom
airy; but there is nothing of troubled pain
in its expression.
She greets her brother with quiet pleas
antness, deep underlying affection showing
itself in every earnest word and look and
tone, and then she leads him into the room
that she vacated few moments before.
"You must feel no small amount Of curl
osity TO know why | have sent for you so
suddenly" she says.
II feared that you were i'll, or Frank" he
states. noticing that they are alone.