The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1880-06-12

Iut 10 the test, it would turn out like the
scotch chemist's-a crystallized silicate,
and not pure carbon.''
AS he passed out the neiohbor said,
| with pOut: f" Your brother-in-law is
lncorrigible. There is that good Miss
Anderson would make him such good
wife, and l know she worships the
ground he walks on. Is there any old
love that fills his mind and heart to the
exclusion of all the interesting ladies of
our setpn
I" We never knew of any love affair, "
replied Mrs. Maclane, in a confidential
tone, but have my suspicious. He
was a young man at the time of our
civil war, and, as Colonel, did good
service in the Union Army. Attached
to his sword is curl of light tlaxen
hair tied with a blue ribbon. l once
begged him to tell me the story of the
golden lock, but he answered, quietly,
that there was nothing to tell.
"'It looks like a child's,' I ventured
to suggest.
"To which he replied, 'The head
on which it grew must have known as
many summers and winters as your
own
81 hope she is not dead,' ventured
again.
"And he answered, in the same quiet
way, Il never heard of her DEATH
sis she married?' l asked, bluntly.
"I presume so; l don't know he
answered, trifle less calmly.
"'The ribbon is faded; | will bring
you fresh piece, and put this in the
rag-bag, l suggested.
"But he shook his head decidedly.
"A new piece would not be the same, ;
he answered gravely.
"This is a slight foundation on which
to rear romance, but have always be-
lieved there is memory of the past con-
nected with the faded ribbon and sunny
hair. Hal, with all his bravery, is shy
man. He would be like Miles Standish,
whom he is always quoting, in love and
in war. don't believe he ever heard
that terrible No from the lips of the
woman who had sunny hair and wore
pale ribbons, but can fancy him losing
his chance, and letting some other man
win her. You see, he would have only
himself to blame, and would 90 on re-
membering the past dream with dreary
kind OF pleasure. Still, I always expect
to see him married. Home and wife are
the just deserts of men like Hal"
The man of whom this cheerful
prophecy was made was on his way to
an uptown residence, in no enviable
frame of mind.
"It's absurd of Joshua's wife to send
me on this errand," he was thinking.
81 am sure to blunder. Let me see
paper, paint, walls, closets, and sewer
gas were the items of special impor-
lance"
"What a pleasant-looking housein
he thought, as he assembled the steps of
the residence designated in his brothers.
telegram. In the hall he carefully noted
the wall from floor to ceiling, looked
closely at the paint, and made an in
ventory of closets at the back of the
hall. Then he was admitted into the
parlor, and saw at glance that the az
rangement was such as Mrs Maclane
desired. A faint perfume of violets was
a pleasant odor to inhale when he feared
to encounter sewer gas. He glanced at
the wall, and then his eye fell on a lady
who advanced from the rear room, and
exclaimed, "Mr. Maclane!"
envy old friend Reby!" he responded,
as he took her hand. "This is an unex-
pected pleasure.
There was genuine pleasure on both
sides, if sparkling eyes and glowing
cheeks were signs OF pleasure; then
each surveyed the other, with chances
half questioning and half apprehensive,
as they exchanged ordinary remarks and
Henry Maclane explained his errand.
"My sister occupies the house, and
will show it to you presently" said the
lady. ''Do you want it furnished as
you find itP'
Henry Maclane looked at the fair
woman-sunny hair waving over her
forehead; clear blue eyes looking search
ingly into his at one moment, and glanc-
ing shyly away the next; lips moving
nervously, as if she were mastering some
emotion-and he replied, emphatically,
"Just as it isl"
"There is a pleasant view from the
back Windows" said the lady, leading
the way to the. rear room.
every pleasant!"r replied Henry Mac
lane; but he had given only glance
OuISllo, buo was gazing, uoWh vi tuo
fair-haired woman, standing a little
lower than himself. Then he fell to
asking questions about her family and
mutual friends; and all the time he had
the air of lawyer who asks indirect
questions hoping to elicit some unknown
facts.
Mammal" called childish voice in
the hall.
The fair lady stepped to the door, and
said, gently, go to the nursery, Hal. +"
Henry Maclane started at the sound
of the name he always bore in his own
home. Had it been given the child for
sweet remembrance's sake? The
thought that this remembrance must
count for naught, if there were husband
and children, had in it the sadness of
sit might have BEEN"
"The years must have brought many
changes to you," said Henry Maclane,
with view of gaining some personal
knowledge.
"Yes," answered the lady, with a
meditative look on her face, "there
are few reminders even of the old days
left. have had my share of joy and
sorrow.''
Henry Maclane noted, what he had
| ,oof COON hofora bof fbaro xrroa n .o,.,,