The Russellville Democrat., 1881-01-27
THE NAIF:
or Ruth Raynoid's Rival.

Or Ruth Raynold's Rival.
 By Colonel Prentiss fngrnham.
 Dr. Lucian Gerne sat alone in his lux uriously- y-furnished library, gazing into the burning coals with q far-away look in his handsome dark eyes, and stern expression npon his shapely mouth.
 In woldly wealth he had everything to make him happy, he had delyed deep into science, travelled extensively, was honored and greatly sought after in so- ciety, especially by fascinating widows with meagre incomes, and mothers with daughters on the aatrimonial carpet; but, at thirty, he was still bachelor, and no woman could claim that she had won more than courtesy from him-yes, there was one woman that could have done so; but that was in the past, and 1t was a broken dream of love that left it's impress upon Lucian Verne's face and heart.
 A ring at the door he did not heed, but the coming in of the butler, with a bundle in his arm and lugubrious expression upon his face, which he noticed.
 "What is it, Dennis?"
 "Tm sure I doesen't know, sur; it moight be a boy. and it moight be a girl"
 .What do you mean, sir?o asked the doctor, sternIy, disliking this breaking in upon his reverie, painful though it seemed. w
 "It'sa blissed baby, sur.p
 Dr. Verne wheeled in his chair as though Dennis had said it was an ana conda, and repeated:
 A wha.@
 No, sur; a baby I take it;D and Dennis came forward with the bundle in his arms; n mass of dainty wraps that en- folded wee form, and from which peeped two large blue eyes that looked in Lucian Verne's face, and in spite of the stern look 1t met. the little rosy mouth was puckered dup with a smile.
 Tt isa baby, Dennis and beautiful
 aso I was after thinking, sur"
 What can it nearl?'
 I'm not a father, gun, and for the loife of me I'm not knowing.
 T say what does t mean coming
 Sure sur. it couldn't walk; 1t was fetched,
 That is evident; give it to me.v
 I'm willing, sur" answered Dennis, who had been holding it pretty much as he would have held mad dog he feared would bite him.
 Into his arms Dr. Lucian Verne took the little infant and then beheld upon it's baby collar q tiny note, which he hastily detached and read aloud.
 It was as follows;
 Relying on the heart of Dr. Lueian cf o1x ~k L s~ T upon his mercy, until it can be claimed by A MOTHER"
 The writing was evidently disguised and gave no clew; but the silent appeal decided Iucian Verne, and he said:
 Send the housekeeper here, Dennis"
 Sure, sur, she's an old maid and would niver know anything"
 Do as bid you, Dennis"
 "Yes, sur;" and disappearing, Dennis soon returned with a kindly-faced wo- man of forty, evidently belonging to that much-abused class, old maids.
 Miss Marcy, here is q child sent to my doorstep, and from whom, or where, 1 cannot tell; this note accompanies it, and l shall obey its request, and care for the little one; so 1 give it into your charge, and tomorrow you can engage q nurse for it."
 "Oh, sir, your good heart prompts this, and hope you will not have cause to regret, but will be pleasant to have baby in the house, and I'll take the best of care of her."
 "Is it her, Miss Marcey?"
 'Well, sir, cannot--that is--"
 Never mind, madam; take him, her or it, and care for the poor little thing"
 And Lucian Verne turned once more to his musings; but the reverie was broken, he had become restless, and with quick, nervous step he paced the room, for somehow that baby face recalled haunting memories from the buried past.
 
 Eighteen years have passed away since that night when Lucian Verne's reverie was broken by the coming of that little infant, and in all that time not one regret has the kindly man had that he cared for the waif for, through girlhood and maidenhood, the child of adoption brought only sunshine into the grand old homestead where the doctors ancestors had dwelt for nearly century.
 As he once more sits in his library, gazing into the glowing embers, few changes have the years stamped upon his face, though his hair is tinged with silver and his form grown stouter, per haps.
 Again the door opens, and in sweeps Felice; but no longer the baby girl, for she had grown into beautiful woman, with dark blue eyes that seem to read one's soul, golden hair and form of rare grace.
 "Guardie, a letter just received from Ruth says she wishes me to visit her in the city for few days. May IF"
 Certainly, Felice; I will take you there whenever you wish to go. When shall it be?"
 Tomorrow"
 And the day after found Felice Verne flor she had taken her guardian's name "a guest of Ruth Raynor, the acknowl- edged belle of Hartford, and yet less beautiful by far than was Felice.
 We will have plenty of company, my dear, and one who is my especial admira- ton, for he is naval officer on leave; is rich as CrGsus, handsome, and I've set