The Newtown bee., 1879-04-29

dying woman and wound her arms about the thin form
 Mir. Hazard will take care of me, grandmma, she asserted, with the sweet confidence of childhood; he has al ways been good to me-
 Alb, Zelie-little Zelie, you do not know moaned the sick one; dear child, how can he be kind to you when he was cruel to his own
 The man grew pale and his hard eyes softened. In that moment of solemnity, the words touched and troubled him like the voice of an accusing God.
 The child put her little hands toward him appealingly. He hesitated for a creature into his arms.
 Be comforted Margery,' he said, kindly; I shall care for this little one.'
 I believe you, and am comforted,' was the answer. You have been a stern man, Ely Hazard, a hard and selfish man, but a promise you have never broken in all your ife.'
 Just then the golden Easter sun shone through the windows and filled the room with splendor, lighting the brown curls of the child and making glory on the dying face.
 His heart was cold and dark as an empty tomb,' muttered old Margery; {; but the stone is rolled away and my dear one has crept in to make it warm and bright. He was hard with his own boy, but he will be kind to his Easter lily"
 Her words were prophetic, From that hour, this man, who for nearly three score years had lived for self alone, was marvelously changed. Zelie, the bonny, winsome child, had indeed crept into his cold heart and filled it with all the gladness of loving.
 Had she been his daughter he cpuld not have treated her more tenderly and generously.
 My Easter lily is the pride and com fort of my old age, he thought, as he saw Zelie changing year by year from a low able girl to fair and gracious woman.
 But there came a time when he knew that he might lose the darling of his hopes and home.
 One bright autumn morning as he was crossing a remote part of his grounds he heard voices near him, and looking up he saw Zelie, and with her handsome young stranger.
 They made pretty picture standing there under the great elms-the girl, slm ard stately, dressed in silvery- gray silk a feecy white shawl wrapped about hel | brown head, blushes on her dainty face and smiles in her dark, beautiful eyes he so tall, elegant and handsome, with 1 short black curls brushed back from his white forehead, and noble beard rip bling to his breast. As Ely Hazard gazed at them in won. der, the stranger bent toward Zelie, kiss ed passionately the willing, rosy mouth and then turned and hurried away.
 Who is that gentleman, my petp' in | quired MT. Hazard. overtaking his adopt ed daughter in the homeward path.
 Her delicate cheeks grew crimson. One who is to be my husband som, day if my dearest papa is willing, sht answered.
 How long have you known him, my childp' asked he, anxiously.
 All this summer, papa dear Zelie in. formed him.
 The old hard look came back to Ely Hazards face; still he kept his voice kind.
 You have acted very indiscreetly dear he said, mildly; :why have yor kept this secret from meP'
 There are reasons why he did no wish you to know just yet, hesitated tn, young lady.
 There areP' he returned, with mucf l irritation. Well, Zelie, because of my love for you must forbid you to see ol speak to this inconsiderate person again at least not until l shall know nor, about him; and if you value my judg ment you will obey me- I can neither see him nor speak tt l him again very soon, papa dearest re sponded Zelie, demurely, for he vii leave the village to-day I am unspeakably glad of that as serted Mir. Hazard.
 And during all the long winter months that followed he never once spoke to Zeli of her lover. He was disposed to believ, l that the affair had been simple fiirta tion, and that the stranger would neve | return.
 i Easter Monday came again, and found Zelie in mood thatseemed most strang to her watchful adopted parent. 4 feverish scarlet. glowed on her daint cheeks. Now a tender smile would dim pie about her pretty lips, and again tn dark, handsome eyes would fill with fleet ing tears.
 Something has agitated my Easte lily observed MT. Hazard, as they rod slowly toward the church. What is it my childp'
 You may be angry if tell you, sh returned.
 could never be angry with you Zelie,' he assured her, earnestly. Tel me-
 I am thinking of your son, papa dear est she ventllred, trembling as she say l the look of pain thatswep over his coun tenance. Why do you never talk to m of himp
 The:subject is too sorowful, my child he answered, sadly. I was very har' with Almon. I would give half tn years of my life if I might undo m. wrong and injustice toward him. Agail and again he wrote to me, begging for reconciliation, and I ignored his en treaties
 You would not refuse areconciliatiol now, papa?' she queried, with emotion l T would implofe his pardon if l kney where to find him. said Ely Hazard. l They had reached the door of tn \ church. and as he helped her from tn