Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1880-04-10

given me description of the dwarf who
accompanies the child. Can you explain
| that connecticut
"'I cannot, replied Father Sebastian !;
it is the one element of mystery which
perplexes me; all the rest seems clear. 1t
is certain that there is no kinship between
them, and certain also that they bear fer
each other a very human love-
"Atthis moment Evangeline was brought
into the room.
"Never shall forget the feelings which
overpowered me at the sight of the sweet
and beautiful child. They say that the
| longest dream lasts but moment, and it
may be that only for moment was
unconscious of surrounding things that
the years which have passed since my
childhood were suddenly blotted from my
life, as though they had never been that L
was a child again and Clarice was child,
and that We were listening to the kind voice
of our father, who was explaining to us the
mystery of the stars. Such a night was
ours in the past, fixed forever IN my
memory by chance look at Clarice's face
turned upwards to the sky. So do l carry
in my memory the eternal fragrance OF
handful of violets given to us by woman
in country lane when we were children.
cit passed, and the child Evangeline
was before me, gazing earnestly into my
| face.
st is not that her features resemble
those of Clarice. Her eyes are of a differ
emit color, her mouth is larger, her hands
broader and covered with dimples but
that altogether she brings my dear sister
to my mind with painful vividness.
81 have not confessed this to my hus-
band or our father. 1t might cause
them to regard me as being victim en-
tirely to my imagination. There are
secrets we keep even from those who are
dearest to us.
81 was not conscious that tears were in
my eyes until Father Sebastian remarked
it.
&c 1t is the thought of this pretty one,
l said, thrown upon the chance love of
strangers.
81 knelt upon the ground, and | knew
that the men were regarding me with
tender looks.
go Child, 1 said, drawing Evangeline to
me, do you think you could love me?'
"'I will try, she said slowly.
1--WE want you to live with US / will
be mother to YOU She echoed the word
Mother as though it were strange to
her. You remember your mother, l
asked.
No, she replied.
"' You will come with us, dear child 2
"'If Rant does not mind. He must tell
me-.
81 kissed her, and, turned to Father
Sebastian. You are content that we
shall adopt her, sir p
"'It is the best arrangement that can
be made
"My husband and Matthew also APP
proved, and that day Evangeline entered
her new home.
SIN the evening Rant made his appear
ance. We exchanged but few words. He
stipulated that he should see Evangeline
at any time he wished, and that she should
visit him when he desired. He spoke to
the child, who certainly entertains an ex-
traordinary affection for him.
octave you any questions to ask me 2
he said before he left.
But one Is the child doubly or
phaned? Has she neither father nor
mother
"tNeither. The child is doubly or
phaned.
"With that he left me, and although
three months have passed, has never again
crossed our Threshold. But Evangeline
has gone 20 him. He initiates bird's
notes, and she runs out eagerly at the
sound.
"Joseph and Gabrielle are delighted
with her they yield to her every caprice,
and with the children she is full of whlms.
With me she is more sedate. Since she
Joined our household my life appears to
have undergone wonderful change. The
past seems nearer to me; think even
more frequently of Clarice than l have
been in the habit of doing. Once, with
Evangeline standing at my knee, said to
her.
"tDid you know beautiful woman
called Clarice?'
"She shook her head. No.
Did you never hear the name ?
emo; it is pretty I like it.
"'T Try to remember it, dear child
"'Yes, I will try to remember it, And
she murmured the name softly to herself
The days pass quietly. Rant has built
huts for himself on the snow mountain /;
he is as much hated by the islanders as
Evangeline is loved But in some mys-
FERROUS undefnable way his life seems to
be bound up with ours.
6" 1 am glad l have made this record. It
has comforted me-.
ITO be coatinued)
For the RECORD UNIoN.l
REUNITED.