The Russellville Democrat., 1880-11-25

N.
 which resolved to carry off about half
 The two floors above were neat and
 pleasant; but it was the second story
 pack that wrung my heart. It was the
 nursery Toys and personal articles had or course been removed, but there was 4 pretty little bed beside the large one and two cunning little rocking chairs
 The window looked out on pleasant garden, and here was sitting old Mrs
 Wiegan, with whom l had little acquaintance.
 such charming house." said I, lis It not a pity to break up this charming nestl Do you know the family?n FOOT Mrs. Graham! She lived here With her children so comfortably and happliy, two or three lodgers on her up- per iloor, until few months ago she lost 1 everything by the failure of banking | mousse. She had no relatives in the city: mas struggled on; tried to get boarders, put the location is too remote; she sees TO way put t3 give 1t up, place her chil- 1 oren With a friend in the country, and cry 10 earn. livelihood by painting. 1ne IS said to be an excellent artist, r-dugh l am no judge myself. These are all her own pictures, believe. She | Is shut up in the back parlor-everythinc taken out of 1t but chair. I saw her a few minutes ago. The tears were run ming down her cheeks, but there she sat. brayely stitching on her childrens win ter clothes, sewing on the last button and mending the last stocking--poor thing, There are the little innocents at play now in the yard"
 Mrs. Wiggan herself (although she had an eye on the best chamber set) wiped away good, generous tear; my eyes were dim, and I would gladly at that moment have relinquished the best bar gain in sideboards. Ned, too, the dear old fellow, looked awfully sorry, as he gazed meditatively out of the window | where the bright-eyed little girl, and the boy with fair, long curls were load | ing dirt into tiny cart with miniature shovel. From the floor above came the sharp ring of the auctioneers voice: l How much, how much? Six dollars, | did you say seven? Six dollars, seven dollars-gone at sevenl"
 | The auctioneer descended with his | followers into the front chamber. Be- l fore l knew it Ned was there, and Tn his impetuous way was bidding in fashion to astonish the secondhand men. He swept everything before him; Mrs. Wig | gan, to be sure, stood him little con test on the 'sset," and laughed to see her glare at him, while he was so ab- sorbed that several punches with my parasol had no effect whatever. "Was there insanity in his family2" I asked myself. By the time we had reached the parlor the secondhand men had slunk away, the boarding-house keepers looked aghast. I made brave stand 4l.sA lTl. and. indeed, most of us sat down, leaving Ned and the auctioheer to themselves. Every article from the second floor down was purchased that morning by the dis tinguished stranger.
 This amusing turn of affairs rather confirmed my hopes in regard to Ade- laide; of course, thought l, he cannot rid himself entirely Of those old recollec- tions, but he knows very well the sterling worth of Adelaide, and what charming, intelligent, devoted wife she will make.
 All had gone but Ned, myself and the | auctioneer. The latter knocked at the door of the back parlor.
 Come in," said voice, and the burly man swung the doors aside. The mother was making an effort to rise, but the little fellow with the fair curls was clinging so closely about her neck that she could not readily free herself As she arose and came forward we saw the traces of tears, the paleness of her face, the tremu- lousness of her whole form.
 From Ned, who was standing just be. hind me, suddenly heard the worlds "My God! is it possible?" and, turning, saw him with face of most indiscrb- able in expression. Of course there was no doubt about his being out of his mind-too much auction had made him mad. The auctioneer after opening the doors, had been called suddenly away, and we three now stood there-those l two gazing at each other, and l looking at both.
 Edwin" at last said Mrs. Graham; "Edwinl" with voice and smile so sweet and sad that did not wonder at what followed.
 Ned's ashen face suddenly flushed all | over.
 l "Lottiep he cried, stretching his arms toward her. "Lottie, my beloved, have I found you again?" and he elasped her to hls heart.
 The queerest termination of an auc- tion! l have seen many in my capacity of housewife, but never one like thisi Mrs. Graham was the "Captain's daught- er," and the generous impulse of the honest Californian had restored his old sweetheart her home-yes, and the heart of her faithful lover.
 Mamma" said the little fellow, slowly, Sis this gentleman the auction ger, and will he sell all our pretty things2"
 ''No, my darling" said Ned, lifting the child far above his head, and then bringing the round cheek to the level with his own lips, "all your pretty things will remain, you and your ma una, too."
 And you, too?" said Bertie, cordially. "I like you"
 And so these two, after years of sepa- ration, were brought together again, And in such an odd manner, tool couldn't help thinking hom differently I should have managed it, had l been writing story instead of acting part in real life. I should have found Mrs. Graham first, and sympathizingly won her to tell the story of her troubles. Of | course, she would have mentioned Ned, and, of course I should have seen at a glance that shd loved him still. And then should have been the good angel to bring them together, and merit and receive their lifelong thanks, and, in- stead of that, here was Barney acting the part of an angel without knowing it, and my chance for romantic adventure spoiled forever. It was shameful, ab- ominable, and then my plans for Ade- laide and Ned, of course it was clear that they never could succeed now. And yet