The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1879-08-16

once concentrated gpun the hectic painted face
resting upon the snowy pillow,
She smiled family as she met his eyes, with
their expression of kindly interest
"You are very good" she said. My little
girl has told me OF your offer. | shall be glad
to accept for her sake; but fear am past
help"
while there is life there Is hope said
Gerald, checrily, and my TREND DR., Gilbert,
Though Young, is very skillful | will see
him This very day, and interest him in your
Icase'
Then he wrote down her name in his note
book, Mrs Adelaide Harvey wife of Captain
Harvey, of the ship Adelaide No } -
street"
MAY come in and see how you get along
under his treatmentI' he asked rs he rose TO
depart.
Mrs Harvey looked at him for moment
with eyes rendered almost preternaturally
bright by her illness, Gerald felt as though his
VERY soul was laid bare under that searching
gaze, but he did not blanch. lie had been
reared by tender Christian mother, and
though one of the gay world in position he
had reached manhood singularly unspotted by
its vices So he could bear the scrutiny Of
those clear eyes without uneasness; for there
was no leprous spot in his life to be brought
to light
|
land If my days are numbered, oh, kind sir,
watch over my child, my poor little Adelaide.
She must earn an honest living. Will you see
that she is put in the way of 1t: You have
got good face and feel that | can trust you.
II you never have an earthly reward, the God
of the widow and the fathereSs will surely
bless you"
She closed her eyes YEARLY, exhausted by
her emotions, and Gerald, deeply moved, went
| in quest of DR.. Gilbert.
Gerald Carman was the junior partner in a
large shipping house. One of their finest ships
| had arrived in port but few days since, and
its captain-a bluff hearty sallor-had pecu-
| lair charm to the young man. He spent sew
eral evenings with HIM, and had an engage
ment with him at lunch. While eating their
oysters together a matter of business was men
toned, AMI "A slight difference in dates coming
up, Gerald drew from his pocket his memo
randum book.
That will tell the whole story he said
quietly.
A humorous twinkle cane INTO the sun
Drowned sailors eyes, As he read al0ud-"Mrs.
Adelaide Harvey, wife Of Captain George
Harvey"
I've given you the wrong page see" said
Gerald. smiling at Captain Brceses qulzzical
expression. That is person whom | met to-
day for the first time. The poor lady is in des
tltute circumstances. By-the.by, her husband
was IL sea-farng man like yourself"
The captain suddenly caught Gerald by the
shoulder
"Harncy, was the name? By my good ship
man, the hand of Providence is in it, I've
been in the country this very day to find out
the wife and child of poor George Harvey
Destitute, did you say? Why, I've pile of
gold sovereigns for them-all honest money
fairly earned Take me to them at once. |
am burning to discharge my mission
At the end Of an hour they reached their
destination They met Dr. Gilbert at the door
He gave them Il cheering account Of Mrs. Har
ney, saying that the most she needed was nour-
lshing food and plenty Of fresh air
Send your coachman around every fine
morning with the carriage, Gerald he sald,
IN conclusion 1T will Kill two birds with one
stone, maybe save IA life, and give that idle tel
low something to do"
We'll see to that, young SIR chimed III
Captain Brcesc's young voice. Then Gerald
introduced the two, and they shook hands cor
daily.
1t transpired that Mrs Harncy had never re-
ceived the letter sent by Capt Brcc,c 1t had
undoubtedly gone to the dead-lelter Office She
had all the particulars of her husbands illness
and death 10 hear She shed bitter tcas as
she listened 10 his loving messages to his alb
sent wife; but it was relief to know that one
of his countrymen had ministered to his wants
and closed his eyes AT the last with tender,
sympathetic touch.
Her heart turned to the home where she re-
Ceived her husbands parting embrace. So
| Capt Brcesc took day from his sailing prepa-
ratons and saw that all was made comfortable
to receive them; and one bright summer morn
ing Gerald babe Adelaide and mother good
| byp n puItnU he said u her.
"Wriic me how you like yournew home, lit
| tie girl; shall be interested to hear" And
thus they dropped, after fashion, out of his
world
From time to time the letters came as he
had requested At first in Il round, school
girls hand; then the more elegant chirography
clearly told Of culture and aptness for improve
mcnt.
Years had passed. one of the dainty mis-
sves came one morning just as lie had receiv
ed orders from his physician to stop mental
exertiOn and 90 to some quiet place in the
country where he could have complete rest
and quiet
! Adelaide's letter decided him He would
write and engage board near them, and renew
the acquaintance with his little friend and her
mother ..
Would they know him? Time had worked
changes upon his iaCe-deepening the thought
tu lines between his brows, and clothing lips
and cheeks with a luNuriant growth of hair.
He was no longer smoothtaced, happy -heart- |
ed boy.
Once in thc village ii was easy to find the
cottage; and so he was soon saunturing lcis-
urely up the neat walks. Evidences Of refined
taste were visible on every hand As he was
descending the steps, he found himself face to
face with young girl who had opened the
door and come out upon the veranda humming |
a glad little song
Thoughts OF pale, earnest face, looking
with lis deep, grey eyes out from a tangle of
golden curls had been haunting him through
all his journey. 1t had not occurred to HIM
that the child had grown into womanhood. So
II almost started him from his seli-possession,
when, after surprised, lingering glance into