The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1880-10-16
AFTER LONG YEARS.

ing into twilight, and the snow that had been
threatening oil day was beginning To toss
about the first of It's white favors, as lady
stood ut large easement anxlously gazing
across the valley on the cedarfringed mountain
road opposite.
She was apparently about twcnty.fv years
OF age, with soft, gray eyes, and clear, though
pale complexion. Could she have been trans
ported to Chestnut street or Broadway, with
tho accomplishments of crlmps, arts, turban
and pheasant wing, she might have passed for
scarcely twenty; but here at home in her soft
lavender dress, which harmonizrd so well with
the shining brown hair plainly braided back
from her face, and the tiny blue bow at her
throat, the five years seemed to be rather on
the other side. But her Countcnancc WAS not
dependent tor It's charm on either youth or
beauty; being one OF those quiet, home faces
which, as the years pass along gather by the
slck-beds, over cradles-and 1t may be over
graves-a beauty which the evancscent glow
of youth rarely equals. so at least thought
DR.. Ashley, when, three years before he took
her from the village school and the tuition of
rough miners children to be the light and
comfort of his home.
1t Is for HIM that she is stralning her eyes
with looking into the darkness, and a glad
smile rises TO her face rs something moves
the valley where the village lights are already
Itwnklng, and moment later the wel.known
gig ra,les up to the door
IlG was only rough, old country doctor
this husband of Lady Ashley, but to her he
was a hcro-demi-g od-thc representative OF
all that is noble and good in manhood. And
indeed, we might make heroes Of worse mate
rial than of some of those bronzed and wealth
erbeatcn disciples of the healing art, who, re-
CARELESS alike of heat and cold, night or day.
spend their lives in attending humanity
watching, Lucyt" cried the CHEEKY voice.
as, after having shaken off the feathery snow
akcs, the doctor entered the easement which
she held open for HIM.
1t was q very PLAIN room, deriving the most
OF It's charms from the white curtains, the fra
grant plants and neatly arranged tea table, yet
pcrvadcd by an air of comfort which IN more
luxurious apartments is often lacking.
After the pleasant tea was over, and the doc
tor, established in dressing-gown and slippers
by the Preside "a position which he might pos
sih', ho'd throughout the evening, but from
whence il was more probable that he light be
soon called to drive six or eight miles over
the moun,ain), Lucy brought her low chair
la"d hor ';0i''iTC and sat beside him. Evident
y she had something of importance to say for
her work progressed titfully TIL at last, throw
ing 1t down IN desperation and raising her
eyes, she exclaimed hurredly, rs though the
subject was disagreeablc and must be gotten
through quickly;
Robert, another letter came today from
Mr4. Harvey"
80 YOU"
Yes at least 1t was addressed to me, though
OF course II concerns you more neatly III
bring it,"
NO" said he OBTAINING her 81 don't care
to Sc IT, / suppose it Is only re-assertion of
her hus' md nnocence"
~ rs, principally that she says that his last
words were: Ask Cousin Robert to forgive
IiaG 81 n,.a years of arrangement, and tell
him on rhe word of dying man that know
of nothing OF the deed which has occasloned
ali Tic tlUUuIC.
1--WE heard all that before Had the woman
sent the deed it would have made difference /;
hu' IA she wont why should she presume to
! 'ro' DO yun about ity"
II suppose she thought that | could plead
! '.r oc.l0 '.';-T Than herself, and, indeed, Rob
elt. | cannot help thinking that there may
| have L,un ,Dinu mistake. Another reason is,
sNo 'rys Mq' he is herself sinking rapidly,
that he his no relations in the world, and asks
Us To receive her little boy, who Is your name
sake. She adds that If she could only gel
your FORGIVENESS to carry with her to her hus
hpnn, Nnr WoOlu "" Wiling 10 traVel ON loo
from Philadelphia, lay her baby In my arms
and die"
"Noascnse" exclaimed the doctor "She
neeu 40 ....ing more mclo-dramptic than
seAdins GA lie deed. And as for her husband
If he has Gods forgiveness, he does not need
mine ] tell you, Lucy, that man has injured
me more Than you can understand; but fol
him might now be in possession of lucra
tive city practice, instead of dragging out 1
iLsg, ..ll .E.s.cuCc among these hills"
But / never would have known you, then,
said Lucy, laying her clasped hands on hi
knees.
i (Which means, suppose" he reloined
smi..Ig auI snoothing back stray ucss frou
her fece. 'tbat never would have known you
but should, pet; would have found you on
somehow, ami then you might have had sill
dIesses, and II manner of fine things as othe
! ladies have"