Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1881-10-13

9lAAl 81 Win LlIt ICIfET
In his hand, rubbing his chin and staring
ahsentiy ai The last lines Then, slightly
shaking his head, as II in answer 20 his
thoughts, he methOdicAlly refolded and re-
stored Il 20 the envelope
"Out Of the question. However, she can
stay for q day or two ill can make other
arrangements Franeoise," be continued
aloud, you must prepare bedroom for
my niece, do you heart II is likely that
she will arrive this evening"
II he had announced that he expected a
white elephant she could scarcely have
looked more astonished.
-Whatf your niecei Didn't know you
had one"
Il didn't know myself till a few mo-
ments ago. Her father is dead, 1t seems,
and has LEFT his child beggar-but that
was to be expected Of the man."
And what are you going TO dowith the
| girl?" the old woman inquired sourly,
glancing at him over her shoulder. "Keep
her here in idleness while you are scraping
together money for her to squander when
you're deadS FolIyl" ...
"A folly your master is not likely 10
commit my good friend. My niece will
fnd-hark, what was thati" he broke off.
~ was q hhOCht vi latiACI u HlOuCot ltBt
at the outer door, and il had been twice re.
peated before it attracted their attention.
At the third repetition FRANCHISE obeyed
the summons.
A girlish figure, muffled in dark wraps,
stood on the threshold.
Monsieur Renault?" said young voice,
interrogatively.
"Come in" the woman answered, and
drew back for her to pass into the room.
The money.lcnder had hastily moved the
lamp, so that the light fell full upon his
visitors features as she entered, leaving his
own in shadow. -
"Uncle, am Edmee," she said, and ap.
preached him shyly, holding out two little
gloved hands, and looking up into his face
anxiously, wistfully, with mixture of hope
and fear. He looked at her in return as il
she were ghost; and, indeed, she seemed
one to him. With all the heart he DOS.
sessed he had once loved his young sister.
and here was her very SELF standing before
him, with just that wistful look he knew
| so we'll.
81 hope you are not displeased with me
for coming" the girl said anxiously, as he
| did not speak, but-but l had nowhere
else to go. Uncle Jules" she added with a
pleading smile, won't you say that you
are glad to see mep"
Il am-you are welcome" he said
abruptly, rousing himself, and he lust
touched her forehead with his lips. AZ
have been out of town, and only Just re-
ceived your letter. How did you learn my
| address,"
81 found it among my fathers papers
He wrote to you, think, shortly before he
died!"
~ received a letter-yes. You have
brought some luggage, suppose?"
Inc boxes are in the hack at the door,
Go down, Francoise; pay the man, an6
have them brought up, and then see if you
can make this fire burn. Pouf! Confound
| the smoke!"
ut wants a little coaxing," Edmee said
quickly, and the next moment she had
drawn of her gloves, and was on her knees
before the stove.
." l am very domestic character Uncle
Jules" she said, smiling up at him as she
piled the bellows; the girls used to say
was housemaid spoilt There, think il
Will 40 nicely now, and if l had hearth
brush-ah, there!" In a twinkling she
had made the hearth neat and rose, look
ing with satisfaction at her work.
The fire was burning cheerily now, and
the tiickering blaze brought out the golden
CLEANS in her fair hair and lighted IN her
face; sweet attractive face, full of bright
ness and courage, yet touched with pen
siveness. The features in repose had
faint air of melancholy, as if life's shadows
had already fallen upon them.
She took Of her hat and glanced round
the room.
"And this is your home" she said
thoughtfully, II tried to picture it to my
self, but"
But your picture was not much like the
reality? No, suppose not, or you would
not have been quite so anxious to come to
me-" was his dry conclusion.
"1f had known before how-how sad
it was, l should have wanted to come to
ou long ago." she answered gently.
He scrutinized her keenly under his
bent brows.
Has any one told you-ridiculous ru.
mors get abroad sometimes-that I am a
rich man."
She looked up with the grave innocent
wonder of child and shook her head.
mo; I always fancied you were poor.
1t is SO, is it not?"
He scraped his chin, looked meditatively
between the bars Of the stove.
"Umph, well-riches and poverty are
comparative terms. 1 am certainly not so
rich as | could wish to be- Few people
are, | suppose"
i AIN glad you are not rich" Edmee
said simply. II could not have added to
your happiness then as | think I can now
if you will let me. There is line in an
old poet that I am very fond of: Affection
ia bor6,, y,1o hot
poor soil" !" Don't you think it's true?"
He took pinch of snuff, and shrugged
his shoulders.
1T may be. 1 can't tell. Experience
has taught me that there is only one kind of
affection which it is absolutely safe to be-
lieve in"
What kind is that ?"
"The regard every man feels for-him-
self, and his own interests. Self is the
pivot on which the world turns"
She looked up quickly to make sure he
was in earnest, then gaZed at the fire with
very grave face for several minutes without
speaking.
When she raised her eyes to his again
they had look of wistful pity which dis
concerted and puzzled him.
"What sad, sad life yours must have
been if you have learned to doubt the very
existence of Affection" she said softly.
"Since my mother left you there has been
no one to-ah, yes; can understand. Poor
Uncle Jules 4"
She took the hand that hung at his side
as he stood near her, and raised it to her
lips, then laid it caressingly against her
cheek. He did not withdraw it.
1t was an odd, but not unpleasant sensa.
ton, the pressure of that soft cool cheek
twas ludicrous no doubt that this little