Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1881-12-14

and Tue enticlub DedubJ nav 5"N "
oether-whuher, no one knew, not
even Fred's parents. who were over
come with grief at the conduct OF their
once noble boy. Afterward heard OF
his marriage and his mothers DEATH
Then worked day aud night aud tried
TO forget my sorrow, and two years later
Daisy came to cheer my lonely life.
But a sharp linking of the bell
stopped my rcvery, and 1 FASTENED into
the shop, where l was confronted by q
een,leman-a rather unusual occur
renoe-very tall and very broad; he
was dressed in a suit Of gray, wore a
gray hat, and his hair, mustache and
long beard were also tnged with gray
He asked for some tribe, and while
making hi. selection, watched me mar
rowly; but he paid for the article with
out saying anything further, and passed
out lust as two or three other customers
came in.
For sometime l was occupied. When
again at leisure, | happened to think OF
the stranger-and Of DAISY! l hastened
to the window 10 call the child, when
there stood the gray gentleman, talking
pleasantly with her. I called to her 10
come in. She obeycd, and the gentle
man followed her closely. / met them
inside the store door.
Pardon me, ma'sm, but whose child
is thls:' inquired the stranger.
felt my cheeks burn pain'ully, but
promptly replied
Mine. sir and, turning 10 Daisy.
whispered: Run upstairs, dear, until |
call you.
your child:' he questioned again.
Yes, sir; Just the same as mine,' said
|. trembling violently. and busyipg my:
self abou. the counter. But you are q
stranger 10 me, and have something
to attend to. And pointed Significant
ly toward the door.
In one moment,' he returned,
quietly; but | must know. Wasn't
the child left with you some eight years
ago"
Twas looking steadily into his face;
something IN his voice betrayed him,
and now the eyes grew strangely iamll-
lar. | reeled forward, and would have
fallen at his feet, do believe, though |
never tainted in my life, had not his
strong arm saved me.
Sidney he whispered, have
grown so old, ugly and gray, that you
have really and truly forsottes me"
Yes; it was indeed Fred come back
again! His wife had elOped with a
Spaulard, and died on her voyage to
Europe, less than three years after Their
marriage.
Aud brought my little motherless
babe and laid it at the door of tie wo-
man who once loved me, knowing OF no
other 10 whom | would trust the we
burden explained Fre1. 1t may
look Ike a cowardly thing TO have
done, Yet my motives we've pure. l
knew your lonely lie, and that, could
YOU learn to love the child. she would
save YOU many heart ache. Is 1t no
so? Ny punishment has been almost
oreater than l could bear contlu ued
he. Aud now, Sidney, you will not
depy me one look at my child. aud then
If YOU wish it, wilt go away aud never
return any more. But listen: Sidney
dearest as | arose 20 call Daisy 1
have not been idle all these years. l
have a home aud many comforts whlcI
| offer you-you aud the child. VIII
you. can you, forgive the bitter past
and come and live with me-be my
little wife just as We planned in the
davs long pasts'
coulnd't mistake Fred's old manner
now. So just laid my head sn lis
shoulder, kissed rs bearded cheek. and
sald,-
Yes, Fred; we will 90 with YOU
So we bad quiet wedding in the old
church TWO months later, and every
body was surprised TO see the little shop
closed and It's mistress gone away on
her bridal tour; for they had all given
her up as an irretlievable old naid'