The Concordia eagle. [volume] (Vidalia, La.) 1873-1890, 1880-04-01

ment in one Of the Northern cities. He
was handsome man, a traveller. a man
Of taste, intellect and money, for he was
n junior partner in the firm, which was
n prosperous one. But despite all his
good fortune. Ross Dunbar was not
happy. His mother and his little Flora
had gone to their long home, and he was
utterly alone. without kith or kin in the
wide world.
Sitting alone one morning with the
roar Of the March winds in his ears
his thoughts were running back to the
days Of his boyhood, to his mothers
humble home. How vivid the past
seemed. and how dear and sacred, de-
spite its privstions and sorrows. His
eyes grew dim and his heart swelled.
All were gone over the wide waters of
time and change.
A tender smile softened his sad face
as he recalled the stormy night when he
sat sobbing on the steps of Mr.. Fon-
tenay's mansion. And little Pansie; the
remembrance of her sweet face. as he
saw it through the snow wreaths,
haunted him constantly. In all the if
teen years never for one hour had he
forgotten her. But she was gone-lost
to him forever.
His reverie was broken by the entrance
of customer, lady closely clothed
and yelled. She approached the coun-
ter with jewel case in her hand.
Would you buy these?" she asked,
simply, in clear sweet voice that stirred
the young mans heart as no other
woman's voice had power to do.
He took the casket, opened it, and
spread out its contents. A watch, an ele-
CANT and costly diamond ring, two ru-
bies and an emerald necklace. Ross
Dunbar barely suppressed a cry of sur
pise as his eyes fell upon it. He turned
it over with eager, trembling fingers
and there on the clasp was the name
that had lived in his heart for so many
years. Little Pansie."
"You wish to sell them ALP" he
asked, striving to steady his voice and
the wild throbbing of his heart.
The lady hesitated an instant and then
she put out her slender hand and drew
the emeralds toward her.
~ dislike to part with this" she said
cit was my fathers gift--and-and-
but no matter, take them alt; must
have the money"
In her eagerness she had thrown aside
her veil, revealing lilly face, lit by lus
trous, sapphire eyes. Ross Dunbar
stood silent a moment, every nerve in
his manly form thrilling with supreme
delight, He had found her ut last, the
idol of his life.
"They are very fine gems" he said,
after moment, land l am willing to
give you a fair priee-suppose we sag
one thousand dollars-will that dop"
The girl flashed dazzling glance of
surprise from beneath her heavy veil.
$50 much as thatP" she said, tremu-
lousy. "You are very kind, sir. Oh,
you cannot know how much this money
will help me-" o.
The young man made a polite reply
and proceeded to put aside the jewels
and draw a check for the money. The
March winds were still clustering with
out, and the girl shivered and drew her
wrapper closer rs she started out.
Wont you let me run down to the
bank for you ?" said the jeweler, catch
ing up his hat. You can play shop
lady the while; it won't be but minute
or two"
81 But I am troubling you 50.
Not a bit; just take this warm seat,
please; you'll not be likely to have any
customers. And seating her beside the
desk, he took the check and hurried out
Pansie Fontenay threw back her vel
and leaned her head upon her hands,
puzzled, reflective look upon her sweet
sad face.
when have | seen this face ?" shs
asked herself over and over again. al
is so familiar; who in the world can i;
be Pr His return broke in upon her
meditation, and after receiving her
money she hurried away to her humbls
lodgings.
The following afternoon was eve,
more clustering and stormy; the wind
roared and the sleet tinkled against the
windows of the little room in which
Pansie and her father sat. Severe mis-
fortunes and reverse had reduced then
to poverty. and the old man being an i'm
valid, all the care fell upon Pansies
shoulders. She sat down with her
father reading aloud from new book
which she had bought for him with
some of the money received for her
Jewels. Her sweet face was wan and
sad, and her future stretched before her
sad, hopeless and gloomy.
There is ring at the door, and SER
want brought up package for Miss
Fontenay. An exquisite bunch of
pansies. fragrant and golden barred