The Osceola times., 1880-07-10

long said farewell; but the skies were
gray and cherries, and the SUI went
out of sight, glad TO leave the bare
earth.
The close OF November afternoon
found two men "a route for Briaryille.
They were Henry Aylton and his friend
Paul Merrick.
$50 you have never seen your new
cousin, Aylton. How is that?"
"Why, never knew | had one till
that Summer ! was in London, two
wears ago. when"-his voice slightly fall
tered, but he went on stcrnly-"when
Signora Viccola played the fool with me-
While | was waiting news of her, my
uncle wrote informing me he had found
his daughter whom we thought dead. l
wished the lady anywhere but in her
fathers house, and started to forget the
world and women in hunting with the
bushmen. Here we are, Merrick, and
there is the carriage"
1t was the work Of but a few minutes
to be out OF the train and clear OF the
platform, and they were soon on the
high road tor Briaryille Park. Little
was said on the journey till they neared
the house, and then Paul Merick asked
how il was Sir John had been SO long
ignorant OF his daughters existence.
~ really cannot recall the story re-
turned Sir Johns nephew. "He quar-
relied with my aunt | believe. She was
Jealous of HIM, and left the Park when
his daugher was but year or so old.
It's Fad affair, and one l have only
cleaned from the servants. This is our
Briarville."
On the broad stone steps stood Sir
John. He came forward, and, after well
coming Paul, extended his hand to
Henry.
"Vell, truant, returned at last?"
Yes, uncle. Pve left my Kaffirs, and
come home like the prodigal. Let Bal
come and talk with you"
Alone, the baronst took the young
mans hand again.
"Henry, why did you desert me when
such happiness had come? 1t won't
hurt you much, lad"
II did not desert you, sir. You heard
Lady Gordons version OF story2 1t
was true. A woman played fast and
loose with me. and |, il had stayed
hers-l should have gone to the bad. |
won't leave you again-and my cousin?
"You shall see her at dinner. You
had better dress now; it is to be early
! to-day"
Henry Aylton wondered very much
what this unknown cousin WAS like az
he proceeded to dress. A few minutes
before dinner he entered the drawing
room, drawn thither by the sound of the
piano. The lamps had not been lighted
and he wondered who the performer
could be. As he advanced into the room
the lady, for it was a lady, commenced
singing, and in voice clear yet tremu
lous there rang out those plaintiye words
"In the cleaning, ah, my darlingw
frown crossed his face. Since his hear
was charmed away two years before h,
had little love for music; and yet thi,
music chained him and seemed to wake
some buried chord OF memory. Tn,
player rose when her song ended anC
crossed the room. He watched her curl
ously as the freight glanced on the ricf
folds Of her dress and on the colder
coins that circled hair and neck snC
arms.
In the cleaning he knew her-knev
that once more he was in the presenc,
of the woman he still so madly loved
and his mind went back TO the tim,
when she had stood before him crowned
with primrose garland, and with tn,
light Of truth shining in the depths 0
her violet eyes. He made slight move
ment, and she turned With arms out
stretched she crossed the room and stooC
before him.
Henry! At last-at last"
He forgot his contempt OF her, his in
dignation vt her untruth, and folded he
once more in his arms, remembering
only his great and his enduring love.
"Ah, my love, that you could be 81
cruell"
81 cruel! Nay, it was you who wer'
that. ] never knew you were my IA
ther's nephew, and | left you to prov,
my birth beyond a doubt. ! had JUS
received from Italy all necessary proofs
| intended TO return during the day anC
show you that my lineage was one a
which you need not blush. Sir Johr
spoke of you and told him of our be
trothal. He wrote off for you at once
intending TO surprise you, and bade mt
wait your coming. You never came
and IL thought you had recognized me
and perhaps trifed-"
Recognized you?" he said, inquir
ingly.
She looked up, and moved from hi
arms into the freight.
Look at Inc, Henry. Have you for
gotten2"
Coral de Gslba" be said "my lttl,
Coraill
That night she told him what her lif,
had been since he left her at Naples
how he had been the Bayard of be-
youth, the ideal man of her womanhood
how she desired to win his love as Jess.
Viccola rather than as patrician Coral
Briarville. and had kept the proof Of he
birth till she was his aflianced wife.
"Forg1ve the stratagem by which
won your best love" she pleaded.
For answer he stopped and kissed the
beautiful upturned face.
Dear one! in the cleaning | won anC
lost you. and in the cleaning you hav,
come to me again. The trouble hsi
been good for US, for, oh! Coral, hsv,
suffered"
Il have suffered, too" she answered
"bu. now | have only great joy"
AuoNa tle hooks Of tho Now Havar