The Red Cloud chief., 1879-03-13


softly, "Because you are old and seem
ed poor and friendless. I Was glad ]
wa in my power to aid you. DO no
think 1t Was at any great cost" she add
ed, with generous desire to tighten tn
burden Of obligation. ~ have som
money lying idle"
"For the wedding-day, perhaps
Well, child. you might have poorer jew
els to deck your bridal than an old man.
tears of gratitude and love. ! Am get
ting we'll and shall soon leave you. Vii
you give me . k~eepsake?"
The girl loosened a little locket from
q chain round her throat, cut of one o
her golden curls and put it in the place
of some hairs he took out, and laid thu
trinket in the old mans hand.
"With my love-" she said, softly.
"Ah, child!" he sighed, Gan ole
mar sick and feeble wins little love"
"Yet," she said earnestly, "yor
must believe that I have nursed yor
since you we're conscious with affection
My own father is gone, but il ever yor
want a daughters care or affection, be.
lieve me, I will gladly come to you il
possible"
Three days later the house was de-
serted. Aunt SOphy and Alice returned
to their home, and Alice cheerfully
paid out Of her small pa'rimOny for The
board and expenses Of her venerable pa
tient.
She little guessed how deep an i'm
preston her care and tenderness had
made upon the heart SD long closed
against human affection, so distrustful
of any advances from his fellow-c,ea.
lures. 1t was a revelation to him, thi-
active charity to an utter stranger. He
had gone To the hotel mercy to see Nal
collins choice, and had purposely left
all c'ew to bis identity behind him. He
had intended meeting Alice, if possible,
unknown, and watching her unobserv.
ed; but accident had thrown them to.
in a way he little anticipated,
The frs. use he made Of his recovery
was to write to his nephew, aud Nal
colin met him at the station when he re-
turned home.
Knowing nothing of the recent acct
dent, the young man was shocked at the
change in BIZ, unc!e's face.
"You have been ill?" he cried.
"Very ill.,"
"Why did you not send for me?"
81 had even better nursing than
yours, Malcolm. Don't ask me any
questions now, but tell me about your
marriage preparations"
"Alice has gone home, and will re.
main until November. Then she comes
to Mrs. Haydon's, and will buy her fur
niture."
SIN November"
eyes"
Late in November she came, her
full of Aunt Sopby's presents,
and Aunt Mary gave her cordial greet
A grand wedding was the display
upon which the lady had set her heart,
and Alice shrank a little at the COM
ments upon the rich uncle and her own
good fortune in the "first-rate match"
But just before the wedding-day q lit.
tie note was brought to Alice by q gor,
geous footman, who was driven to her
aunt's behind a private carriage. The
note was from Malcolm, and begged
her to come to him in the carriage.
Wondering, but obedient, Alice was
speedily ready, and was driven to a
handsome house, where the door was
opened to usher her into a stylish draw.
where gentleman awaited
her,and Malcolm, advancing, said, "My
uncle Hubert, Alice!"
Kindly blue eyes looked into her own,
withered hands were extended and q
voice she knew well said, ave are old
friends, Malcolm. Are we not, Alice?'
Then, before she could answer, the
old man continued, 81 have thought,
Alice, that it was unkind to have my
nephew wait for my death before shar-
ing in my wealth. l have borne a curse
of distrust in my heart for many years,
thinking my money won me all the af-
lection, save Malcolm's, that was offer.
ed me; but, though you were well con-
tent to wed the young clerk and put
your own patrimony into his home, you
must not refuse my heir, who has &C.
from me an income that makes
him independent, and this home"
"My love for Malcolm can bear riches
or poverty" was the answer; ''but, sir.
our home needs you. You will come,
will you not, to the children, who will
to make your life happy by loving
care? Long before l knew you Nal.
colin told me he hoped, when he had 8
home, to win you to live in it. Viii
you let me, too, beg of you to come to
use"
"Glsdly, child! gladly" the old man
said.
81 understand now" Alice said to
"why you wanted to wait
until after the wedding to take our house.
You wanted to surprise me-"
81 assure you I am as surprised as
you are, though it was Uncle Hubert
who persuaded me to wait"
So where the rich, lonely man had
feared to lose the one love of his life, be
gained another tenderer, sweeter love