Lexington weekly intelligencer. (Lexington, Mo.) 1871-1887, 1879-05-17
LEARNING HIS VALUE.

l
between his fingers and puzzled frown
,pon his brow. The note. directed IN
yraceful feminine hand. was brief:
"Dear Guardian-Will be at the Office
It ten in the morning to consult you up
IN matter of importance" ~ "
"A matter OF Importance muttered
Mr. Wilkinson, twisting the note ner.
,ously. Can my fears be trhe9 Has
Cyril Ormsby proposed to my pearlP Il
I'm afraid he has! And what can urge
against the man. If Miles own instincts
have played her false2 Ten O'Clock.
The last silvery stroke of the mantel
clock had not died away when the door
Of his office was opened by a clerk. and
Millie Bentley entered the room. -g..1
Just lew words to describe the ward
Of whom Marcus Wilkinson always
thought as pearl, lily. everything
pure and fair. She was of medium
height, slender and graceful. with
thoughtful face of exquisite beauty.
Very young-only eighteen-Milly Bent
ly had borne early the sorrows OF life:
Her father, having beenawealthy. had
failed in business and committed suicide. |
Her mother, delicate and helpless, had
fought poverty feebly for two years. and
sinking under privation and toll, had
fatal disease. When AL
hope of lie was oyerthe- news came that
Miles uncle, dying abroad. had left 2
large fortune to his only sister, A will
was made by the dying woman leaving
her own too-lately won Independence to
Mlllie. and appointing their old friend.
Marcus Wilkinson, guardian to the heir
ess. Sorrowing and womanly beyond
her wears, Millle had turned from her
own grief to noble endeav6r to solace
some of those with whom her own pow,
erty had made her familiar. A cousin
had come at Mr.. Wllkinson's request to,
make home for his ward. and she re-
sumed many long-interrupted studies.'
But large portion OF the time was
spent in the humble homes OF those who
had been her mothers friends in the
dark days Of her widowhood; and her
gentle, ,unobtrusive charities soon exten-
ded far beyond this small circle -'ii,
She had been an orphan two years on
the day when she came to seek DIR. WI
kinson, as already described, and the
sorrows of her life had lost some ot their
bitter sting, leaving only gentle sad
ness behind. -
We'll, Millie.' the old gentleman said,
what brings to me the pleasure OF see
ing you to-dayp' ~. - -
1T is about myself Millie said, the
softest rose-tints flushing her cheeks
Dear me; didn't think you ever took
such an insignificant person into consld-
Grafton at all
Now. Uncle Marc, please don't tease
She wants something enormous,
said the old gentleman, addressing the
walls. Whenever am Uncle Marc. l
know what to expect next
But Just then the. man detected signs
OF trouble in Miles faces and the jest
ing voice was turned at once to one OF
tender gravity
What is 1t, child p
Cyril Ormsby came to see me last
evening, and he will come here to-day !;
but wanted to see you first. He wants
me to be his wife. Uncle Marc. and''-
she hesitated here-'you do not like hin.
Who told you that?'
No one; but see it for myself
well, you are right. l do not likt
him. But my like or dislike has no con
troll over you.' ...,....
mo control!' Miles voice was pit
eous. Please don't talk SO. come t.
you as wou have gone to my father.
There, dear, I was wrong. Tell me
then, as you would have told your tath
er-de you love Mr.. Ormsby?'
II tnlnk l.v tho neblost man ] eve
knew. If you could see him with som
of my poor people. how gentle and cour
teous he is, you would like him. too. II
has given me so much sympathy in M
work, Uncle Marc, feeling as do ths
the possession of great wealth is but
stewardship
And so won your love?'
My respect and admiration, uncle.
+ cannot yet realize that man so nobl
+, and SO good can really desire my cou
! panionship and help in his life. Blu
!. since he does, am glad and proud
+ have won his confidence
.Hem-yes! Enthusiastic and hear
WHOLE was Mr. Wilkinson mental con
ment. Suppose you and l go for
: walk he added, aloud.
= "A walk? % Millis said, in tone
l. surprise.
Yes; have a friend or two that
: should like to have you see. When v
l. come back l will tell you why dislil
y Cyril Ormsby, it, he added, mental
g' you have not already found OUT
~ 1t was not exactly such walk as Of
would have mapped out Tor gent
= mans invitation to young girl; b
1t Millie followed its course, leaning uPt
N her guardians arm. wondering lit,
:, but never hesitatlng. past the respect
:, BILE portion of the city to a quarter know
III as Factory Row. a place where a
id Wilkinson had never before allowed
II, ward to go, for there were apt to
n. levers and contagious diseases lurkil
e there. 1t lay low and was unhealth
d and the houses were of the meanest {
scription.
ne For a noble phllanthropist part
q owning these factories and this quartz
~ Mr.. Ormsby seems neglectful,' said n
nc Wilkinson, dryly. Il have an inter,
r. in the factories, as you are aware. /
ly do not own one of these wretched hol
70 es. They are all Cyril Ormsby's.'
= But Mile said, eagerly, these p'
pie will not let him benefit them. Th
! use his charity for drink they abuse a
} privilege he gives them till he is d
a couraged in his efforts to do them a
IL II, good.'
d. .Ah! Step in here!
III 1t was poor place, scantlly Iurnlst
We and cheerless. Upon cot-bed a WON
Is lay, IN the last stages of consumpti'
nr She looked up eagerly to Mr.. Wilk
III son.
lie 4 hope you are BETTER he said, kind
he No; shall never be better. II n
er only die in peace it is all ask
he MIR. Ormsby will not disturb you no
JENNIE has gone to him. Yesterday
sent word that If the rent was not rea
to at twelve, out we must go. I've pal.
,is regularly for five years. but. he do
II. think of that. All Jennie's made
IN last month she has had to pay for
liz and food. She's but fifteen, and her
of is small
re- What do you owe Cyril Ormsby p
far Thirty shillings.'
" And il he is not paid to-day he v
: put you out in the streets to die?'
,,s He says the workhouse is the pl
ms for paupers?'
ad M At this moment slim, pale girl
fifteen came in. crying bitterly.
Mr.. Wilkinson was OUT she beg:
ust and then seeing her visitors, she cri
.an eagerly. 'Oh. Mr.. Wilkinson. you =,
re- not let mother be put in the street?
ra- pay every penny. sir, il you will "
an till she is better, and can get my
or time for work
d. Have you seen Mr.. Ormsby tod
en- Jenuie?' the old gentleman asked.