Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1880-09-10

mess continued to increase. The little
house had been enlarged. and one. two,
finally three apprentices admitted. New
tiressmakers came to the town, but they
received so small a share of public pat
ronagc that their stay was usually short.
Ten years passed. The need OF work
ing for herself and the little stranger had
50 spurred Miss victory's sluggish ma
ture that she had become quite success
for those days. -Four times year money
came through the mails. presumably for
the support Of Madgc. but never one word
accompanied it, and every dollar was re-
ligiously deposited in the bank againstthe
child's future needs. Miss Browns trips
to the city were continued at regular in
teryals. and each year brought added
prosperity.
One evening. the anniversary OF the
child's coming. Victory was sitting up
late to finish some promised work: her
assistants had been dismissed for the day,
and little Madge was asleep in an adjoin-
ing room, when again there came Il knock
at the door. For moment she hesitated,
as she had done ten years before, though
not for the same reason.
Instinctiyely she felt that the new
conner had some connection with aladge,
and feared lest the child might now be
claimed. Not until the knock was re-
peated did she cross the floor and open
the door.
A tall man stepped inside, with the
words:
ado you know me Victory ?''
Yes" was the answer '.You are the
man who won my childish heart and then
left me.
Years after you brought to my door
your child, and took it in and have cared
for it. Have you come to claim her ~
mo, not her, but you," and he reached
out his arms.
Miss Victory drew her tiny form up to
its full height; she replied:
II do not Know by what authority you
claim me.''
How did you know it was my child '''
was the response.
by the rings of curling hair thai clus-
tered about the baby forehead IL darker
ones do about yours; by the clear blue
cyes.-and- by-woman, s-instinct.
Listen, Victory" and he LED her to a
chair. drawing another beside it.
'When | won your heart | was only
weak, foolish lad. unworthy Of you. |
left here in obedience to a summons from
my mother, and for years after led n
wild, reckless life in a border State.
Then ! returned TO my home and mar
ried a fair young girl for her wealth; but
ever came up before me the slight form
and pale face of the girl had robbed OF
her heart, Swing nothing in return.
Only one year and IA half did my wife
live. and at her death | brought hiher
my child.
longed for you, how passionatcly
cannot tell, but knowing my own unwor-
thiness, ! resolutely turned away.
have been in foreign countries, have
been shipwreckcd and in perils by sea
and land. and now | have come back to
the girl | LEFT twenty-five years ago, n
Christian man instead Of a reckless youth.
DO you spurn me May see my child ?
Silently Miss Victory led him to the
couch where the little sleeper lay, and the
father pressed hot kisses upon her dim
pied lips.
The remembrance of YOU, Victory
he said, has enabled me to gain avictory
over my evil heart, aud to stand here to-
night a God-fearng man"
Miss Victory paused. "Nictory. my
mother called me- she said. softly. 'be-
cause my coming enabled father to gain
victory. Now have helped you. have
gained a victory over my timdity. inertia
and over the world when made my 6usi-
ness successful, but have cared for YOU
always. am only woman, and cant
gain the victory over my heart. - H0Od'S
household MtgoZine.