Millheim Journal. [volume] (Millheim, Pa.) 1876-1984, 1880-11-25

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he said, at least. 'Wll you allow me to
carry you home and see your fatherH"
But the revelations made there are not
for mortal pen to escrlbe. When he left,
there was peace between them.
1t was buf little time that the sick
man fingered, Maurice doing all he could
for his aid and comfort, and he went to his
rest, happy in the assurance that Grace
Brown should ever hold her mothers place
in the heart and home of the repeRtant
old man.
This promise Maurice songht earnestly
to fulfil, and though his daughters pres
ence seemed still conscious at times the
shadow ON his heart grew less, and not all
of pain. Yet thoughts of the unreturnIng
past, regret, softened though il weIe, serv-
ed In after years asia warning, beacon, the
reminder his impervious will still needed.
Five years have passed since Grace Brown
| came to Maurice Greenwood. Her presence
has becomes the sunlight of his home; her
| voice the weetest music that meets his
ear; her hand alone rests on his temples
with soothing touch, when sad memories
| oppreSs him; and even, as she comes near,
the shadows on hearth and heart grow
less.
| He sits musing alone this evening, and
shade of troubled thought Is on his brow.
Rarely does he talk to himself, but he feels
lonely now, though Grace Brown has been
away but one short day.
| "Five years" he says. chow happy
we have beenI And here this girlish fancy
must upset it all. Why haven't seen this
beforei Why didn't Istop iti must
have been an old fool TO let them 20 off on
that boating trip to-dayf But, If / had re-
fused, what thena 1t would only provoke
Frank, and make him more resolute than
ever; and as for Grace, she'd have cried all
day, suppose. I'm in pretty plight,
| declared might have foreseen it-but |
didn't-when took Frank into the office,
and let him come here so much. | don't
want HIM to have her; he's as poor as Jobs
cat--steady and sure, and loves her, no
doubt of that. I'm not afraid she wouldn't
be happy; but wanted my pet, my pride,
| my beauty to take place betittlng her.
But, dear me! if l say say no, she'll run
away with him, or she'll go and break her
heart, perhaps. They're all alike, these
girls"
A look of intense pain passed over the
old mans face, and he murmured:
'Maybe if I'd been different, Annie
might have been here now-Miriam, too
who knows2 What makes me think of
Annie 80 tonight, | wonderf" he said,
moving uneaslly in his chair. 81 wish
those youngsters would come home--I do.
1t seems as if she stood by me this blessed
minute. Oh, Annie! Anniel don't look 30.
haven't harmed them" cried the old lnan,
ha'f-wild in his excitement.
"Wil you have dinner now, sir, or wait
for Miss Grace2" asked the housekeeper,
opening the door. ''It's past your usual
time"
DINNER before she comesl NoIndeed!"
was the instant reply. ''But isn't 1t time
for her to be homer"
at is little late tonight, sir. She'll be
in soon, no doubt"
'.Late!" The old man sprang 10 his feet
as If his years had suddenly rolled from
him. "Latel" he repeated, as he hurriedly
glanced at the clock, and then walked ner-
vously to the window and back again.
The door-belI rang An instant after,
Grace's merry voice wound through the en-
tries and up the stairs, and in she came,
radiant with health and happiness, just as
she had parted from HIM in the morning.
''Oh, grandpa, such splendid day we
have hadl" she exclaimed, delightedly
clssping her arms round his neck.
''1hen you have had no accident2"
"No, indeed. What made yoU think of
that, grandpa2 Am later Oh, yes, / nee"
glancing towards the clock 1--WE were
talking, and l didn't think much about
| it."
"Happy child" thought Maurice Green
wood. ''God helping me, I'll not break
her heart-one's enough; and the shadow
grew less than ever.
A year went by. Frank Shirley had be-
come a junior partner in the firm of Green
wood & Co., and in the old family mansion
bridal feast was made.
| "Ahl" thought the housekeeper, as she
herself fastened the white dress, and placed
the orange blossoms on Grace's fair brow.
''lf could have done this for Miss Annie!
Well, what's past is past forever, and she's
angel crowned now"
"God bless you, my children!" said the
old man; and the shadow grew light, misty,
and almost disappeared.
Ten years more. Grace had filed Annie's
place; her gentle care and tender affection
making the old mans heart warm, and his
home sunny. Her husband had long been
as dearly loved son; her children, the little
heart's-ease blossoms that brought comfort
to his spirit. He Is way-worn and weary
now, and the loving friends gathered around
him know that he is passing from them
swiftly, but with peace and trust in his
| heart.
| For an hour or two he had slumbered
lightly, Grace sitting beside him, his hand
clasped in hers, when he opened his eyes,
and, looking at her with a world of affec-
tion in their clear, steady gaze, said:
'Grace, darling, have seen your mother.
She forgave me long ago. In little while
shall hold her to my breast again, as did
when she was babe. She is 30 beautiful,
Grace, all in white, with a rose crown on
her forehead, and young and bright as you
are now. have tried to make you happy,
dear-kiss met" And as Grace bent her
face, dripping with tears, to his, the failing
hand carsssed her golden hair, as it had
been wont, and he spoke once more, feeBly:
"The shadow ia gone nowl She stands
there, but it is ali glory-Annie9"
"What does he mean2 What shadow2"
whispered Grace's husband. But she raised
her head, slightly.
''Hush, dear-see-he is gone"
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