The Osceola times., 1881-01-29

DlHty stamped upon MS lace, IN Ilct,
like him exceedingly"
He is engaged to Ruth Raynor, l be-
lieve," said Felice, with a choking
voice.
Then she will get a good husband,
while he will not find her the woman he
should marry; for though | like Ruth,
my child, she has not the heart and soul
that you have"
Felice sighed and retired to her room,
but not to rest, for the germ of sorrow
was taking root in her heart.
And the next day Horace Graves APP
peared at Verne Homestead and the
next; and as they sat in the parlor to-
gether, up dashed Ruth Raynor on
horseback, and with easy courtesy the
young officer went out and aided her TO
alight, while Felice met her with flushed
face, for she had determined that very
day to tell the lieutenant his visits to her
mast cease.
Lieutenant Graves, wrote you a
note, asking you to ride out here with
me, and finding you gone l determine d
to come alone; but, of course. you will
be my escort homer"
Willingly, Miss Ruth"
And an hour after the two departed
from Verne Homestead and rode slowly
back to the city.
And in that ride Horace Graves heard
from the false yet beautiful lips Of the
jealous girl story which cast suspicion
upon the parentage Of Felice, and her
heart was wild with passion when he
cody replied;
IL am not one, Miss Raynor, who holds
the child responsible for the sins of the
parents and | am somewhat surprised
that, looking upon Miss Verne as you do,
you should still call her friend"
Ruth felt that she had gone too far;
but determined not yet to give up the
man she had determined to entrap-for
her father had told her that she must
marry him, as his money would tide the
firm Of Reynor q Co. over financial diff
culties-she tried to retract what she had
said; but succeeding lily, she arrived at
home out of humor with herself and the
world in general.
But her insinuations did not check the
visits of Horace Graves to Verne Home
stead, and at last, at the request of Felice,
DR.. Verne spoke to him about them.
"If my society is distasteful to you and
Miss Verne, Doctor, will cease my Wis
its; but ] had fondly hoped to the con-
trary; in truth, it was my intention to
ask your permission to offer my hand
and heart to your beautiful daughter" he
said, in hurt tone.
But, Graves, how about your engage
ment to Miss Raynor?'
"An idle rumor, sir. pledge you, for
never had thought of more than friend
ship for Miss Raynor"
"And yet she told Felice to the con-
trary."
"She said that which was false, sir.
Why, in confidence, | will tell you that
the night of my arrival in town | over
heard, unintentionally, Il conversation
in Il room that adjoined mine at the ho-
tel, at which Mr. Raynor was talking to
one Of his New York creditors, and told
him that his daughter would soon marry
a very wealthy man, and that then his
bills would be paid; and inquiry proved
to me that Miss Raynor was yet to find
the man, while, without vanity, as / am
rich, may say | was the victim Sc
lected"
Lieutenant Graves pardon me for
misunderstanding your motives, and be-
lieve me, you shall ever be welcome
visitor in my house"
Then have your consent, sir, to offer
myself to Miss Nerne?"
"You have; but first let me tell you
that she is not my child. am bache-
lor and eighteen years ago she was left
at my door, with a note asking me to
care for the little waif have done all
in my power to do so, but who were her
parents have not the remotest idea, and
yet love her as dearly as though she
were my own daughter
"Dr. Verne, have heard before this
story, and it was told to place Miss Verne
in bad light in my eyes; but it failed,
for | love her devotedly, and care not
whether her parents were rich or poor,
honest or otherwise for Felice, not them,
do love"
DR.. Verne led Horace Graves into the
family sitting-room, where Felice sat,
nervous and miserable but from that
moment she became happy, for, without
intending it, she had become Ruth Ray
nor's successful rival.
And six months after there was we'd
ding at Verne Homestead, and among
the guests was one who had not been
invited-a stately handsome woman
who in few words told her story of
how, in the long ago, she had loved Lu-
can tTnt, Dul ndu DttH lOTteu Dy 1tT
parents to marry an older man of vast
wealth, who had failed in business few
years after, and taking his own life in
despair, had thrown her and her child
penniless upon the world.
Then it was she went back to her old
love, and left upon his doorstep her baby
girl, while she went forth TO struggle for
her daily bread; and, though successful,
she had never had the heart TO take the
little waif away from the man who had
so nobly reared and cared for it; but now
that her daughter was to become wife,
she came forward to prove that no stain
rested upon her parentage.
The scene that followed, kind reader,
pen cannot portray; but it was merry
gathering that night in Verne Home
stead, and when Horace and Felice re-
turned from years tour abroad, they
found a warm welcome from loving pa
rents, for DIR. Lucian Verne had forgiven
and forgotten the past, and the mother
of the little waif had become his wife,
and at last had sunshine come to them.