Claiborne guardian. [volume] (Homer, La.) 1877-188?, 1879-11-19

er OF ram.
Meantime Frank Merrifeld was
matchmaking his ill.luck in losing
a valuable pocket book with bills,
receipts, money-all sorts of impor-
tant matters in it.
at must have been when l car.
ried that girl over the muddy cross
ing. | had it the minute before,
and missed it shortly afterwards.
Confound my quixotic folly. Why
couldn't | mind my own business
and let her alonei Poor little thing,
she looked wet and miserable, aud
something about her somehow re-
minded me Of
He paused and leaned his head
upon his hands in painful thought.
"Why can't | ever forget herf
Poor little frail, false heart, why
can't let her 60! Why does her
sweet face haunt me everywhere
not bright and sparkling as used
to know it, but pale and reproach.
ful looking! Reproaching me. All,
Ethel, how much loved you. How
happy we might have been today
had you only been true
He arose with an impatient GEES
ture, as of one who, by an effort of
will puts vain regrets aside.
GLOW to recover the pocket bookf
That's the present question. There
was money in it; the finder is vel.
come to that; the bills and papers
are what l want, and-her portrait.
Yes-there is no use denying it to
myself. am fool enough to care
for that. I'll advertise in the pa.
pers. Confound that shower of
rain"
Three weeks, mammal Three
weeks lying here deliriousf Why,
what could have made me so ill
My head is so strange-I seem to
forget everything
Mrs, Thornton gazed anxiously
on the girls wasted face-almost as
white as the pillow on which it lay.
"YOu got badly dreanched and
chilled, my love, in a shower OF
! raiu-"
"a shower of raini'
The voice rang out clear and
strong-the dark eyes flashed excit-
edly; she clasped her hands, while a
vivid crimson suddenly dyed her
cheeks.
so, remember it all now. Please
reach me the desk!'
Then she told her mother her ad-
venture in the rain, and drew out OF
the desk Franks pocket book.
"Threc weeks ago. In al proba.
ability he has needed it. We must
open it, mamma, to find his address
and send it back to him at once
Mrs. Thornton looked pityingly
at the flushed, eager face and trem
bling hands. She shook her head
doubtfully and sadly said:
"You love Frank still, Ethel
now don't your
No reply in words, but the poor
pale face was hidden npon the pillow
with a great sob, and little thin
hand stole into the mothers plead
ingly.
Mrs. Thornton caressed the
hand and put it to her lips.
"If he were worthy, dear, SHOULD
say nothing, but he abandoned you
Ethel. ., child, where is your pride
You are hoping against hope, my
daughter. 1t would be cruel in MI
to encourage you. Mr.. Merrifielt
could have found you, had he wish
ed; your address was left for all Wit
might inquire for it. He has no
even written to you since your for
tune was lost remember well tina
his last letter arrived just as we wer
going to your cousin Ethers wed
ding-that was week before on
trouble came.'
Ethel made no reply.
Her face was hidden again. au'
sobs shook her slender form. Mrs
Thornton continued:
"Would that you had never seeI
Frank Merrifield! lie fOrsOok yo
in poverty, and even when the ia
greater sorrow of your poor father
: death came upon us, he gave no
= one sympathizing word! o EtheI
think no more of him, but rather IT,
to reward the true and devoted low
that has proved 50 true u friend t
us. DIR. Jones has been like q 80
to me through all your sickness
Surely in time to come you will &c
! over this infatuation for one 80 uI
I worthy, and reward devoted Low
T as it deserves
Ethel looked up YEARLY.