The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1879-10-02

which informed me Of the agreeable fact
that, through the fundamentally
of - a friendof mine, whom he
was anxious to serve, the under
signed, Mr.. Maxwell, had been
induced to extend to me a commercial
opening at the liberal salary of two thou.
sand year, to be increased if mcrited.
There was fortune for me in the offer, and
l accented of it with alaeritv.
Mr.. Maxwell, rich New York MGR
chant, from the first took lively interest
in my advancement. The unknown friend
l could not account for in any other way
than surprising it to be some soldier COM
rade whom I had betriendcd in the past.
Within month l was fairly establish
ed at my new post of duty, and succeed
so we'll in pleasing MIR. Maxwell, that at
the end of my second year he sent me to
Europe in the interest of the house.
When returned, was given a weeks
vacation, which I spent among the breezy
hills OF my old country home, passing
the pleasant September days in tramping
through the woods and bypaths and
fields that were the chosen haunts of nv
boy hood.
l was just turning the curve in the
load where the Canada thistles grew, and
so lost in my walking revery, that was
almost opposite lady standing in their
midst before was aware of her presence.
~ am glad you still love theold scenes,
Mr.. Durand," she said, "ithout express
ing the least surprise.
was astonished. Here was a lady
who, to the best Of my knowledge, 1 had
never seen before, addressing me as tan,i-
liarly as If VIC had known each other all
our lives.
"Namcs are treacherous things, and if
! were ever SO fortunate as to have known
yours. am guilty of having forgotten
it," replied.
"NIcn forget easily, 1 am told: but I
had hoped to find you an exception to the
rule"
Avery awkward silence on my part en-
sued. She took pity on my evident en-
barrassment, and continued:
elias your battle with the world entire
ly driven from your recollection all the
old school faces?"
Her voice dropped to its old sweet,
clear, winning cadence, thrilling my
WlOlC DelnS With QCl1glt.
"-1delina!"
caught her hand, and, before l knew
what l was doing, had carried it to IN
lips and kissed it.
"Excuse mc,' stammercd; "but T.
am so glad to sec you, and you seem Just
the same little girl I kissed here years
ago-not (. bit taller, not a bit Older
only Ade!ina, always lovely and always
loved.''
Then told her all about myself, how
prosperous was, and the strange man
ner in which had been brought to the
notice OF my kind employer. When /
had finished, she merely said, IN her
simple way:
II know it,
"You appear to know every thing. do
you know Mr.. MAXWELL"
ale is my father.'
'And my unknown frlend-'
"Adehna."
1 staggered back, in my soul ashamed
that should owe every good in lifc-cv-
crythlng-to a woman who owed me
nothing but the poor favor of once having
united. for her a wretched black-and.
white worsted hood. turned away, cut
to the heart, but she put out a OBTAINING
hand.
"Dont go, Mr.. Durand-that is, don't
go feeling hurt; for it would ma Ike nc
very unhappy if you were to go away
angry with me-
unhappy! What am l, that Il pain tc
me should render you unhappy2' an.
swercd, bitterly.
~ knew of no other way in which tc
express my gratitude
''Gratitude for wbat?' The question
was rudely abrupt, but she took no notice
of my unyracious speech.
''Gratitudc for the kindness given mt
long ago and which have missed evc1
since the day we parted here by the
roadside"
care you conscious Of what you art
saying, Adelina?'
"Perfcctly."
"How am to understand your woryls?,
"That leave to your good Judgment,
she smiled, lowering her eyes.
She han an instant illustration of III,
'good judgmcnt'' in the way imprison
cd her two little hands in both of nine
and kissed the sweet mouth for its shy]y
whispered promise.
l walked home with Adelina-O, Sc
happy! and when asked her hand O
Mr.. Maxwell, he said:
Il have anticipated your request b,
keeping you under my eye for more thar
two years. Adelina is the best and tru
est girl in the world, but l believe 70,
to he as worthy Of her as any man living
and give her to you confident that YOU
know how to prize the treasure you have
Won"
And SO not long thereafter, 1 married
Adelina, the love Of my boyhood
and the browning glory Of my latcl