The Sentinel. [volume] (Trenton, N.J.) 1880-1882, 1881-06-04
she at once recognized from its resem-
blance to her mother.

she at once recognized from its resem-
blance to her mother.
THAT was my mothers likeness"
said Mr.. Armand. "You might almost
have sat for the portrait yourself, it is
so wonderfully like you. I have por-
trait also of my Aunt Celeste, but she
was fair" Then closing the back of
the watch and looking at the dial, he
continued "The train I take will be
here in few minutes. Shall I pur-
chase ticket for you and take you to
my home in Pittsburg? I have no
daughter-only one adopted son-and
my wife will welcome you as if you
were her own"
The sight of that miniature had dis
sipated the last doubt or misgiving that
Julie might have felt, and holding out
her hand, while the grateful tears gath
cred fast in her eyes, she exclaimed:
eyes, will go with you, and I thank
heaven that have found friend !"
Twenty minutes later the orphan
girl, her face radiant with hope and
happiness, was seated beside her newly
found relative, in the cars that were
| speeding them onward toward the home
J henceforth to be hers. 1t was a long
ride, and the first flush of sunrise was
turning the morning sky from gray to
crimson when they reached the depot
where they were to alight But tele-
gram had appraised Mr.. Armand's family
of his coming; and as he assisted his
young charge from the cars, the first
object her eyes fell upon was tall,
handsome young man of about three
and twenty, who advanced eagerly
along the platform to meet them.
"Here is the friend [ mentioned in
my telegram" said Mr.. Armand, as the
young man bent an inquiring yet re-
spectful gaze upon his fair companion.
But she will be more than friend to
us all, for she is the only surviving
child of my mothers only sister, now
dead. And this, julie" he added, sis
my son, Victor"
The lovely dark eyes were lifted for
a moment to the face of the young man,
and the little rose-leaf hand placed
with charming commingling of timid-
ity and confidence in his, outstretched
so impetuously to clasp it. Then again
offering her his arm Mr.. Armand led
her to where pair of prancing bays
were harnessed to a commodious car
riage.
Six months had passed since Julie De
Silver was brought to the home where
she had met and continued to find so
loving welcome. Mr.. Armand had
made inquiries concerning the aunt to
whom her mothers letter had been ad-
dressed, and learned that she had died
about the time Julie had set sail for
America, leaving barely enough to pay
the expenses of her sickness and burial
1t was lovely summer afternoon,
and the young orphan was seated upon
the broad porch which ran around one
side of the house, with a book lying
idly upon her lap. A quick step sound
ed near her, causing her to glance up.
while her cheek took deeper tinge as
she saw Victor approaching her.
"Julie," he said, taking a seat beside
her and lifting in his hand the little
locket which she always wore about her
neck, while his voice, always rich, and
of late so wonderfully sweet to the ear
of the orphan girl, now held deeper
and more earnest cadence than ever be-
fore, "this little Jocket which your
mother prayed might be loves talisman
to you, has wrought it's mission well,
for it has led you to the friends who
were glad to welcome and receive you.
But its mission were, after all, but half
performed if it must end there. Julie,
my darling, tell me-shall this little
trinket be loves talisman to us? Shall
it's mission be consummated and
crowned by bringing your heart to
mine; to find there it's real and perman-
ent home ?'
Julie did not answer for moment,
but her lips quivered and her bosom
heaved. Then taking the locket he had
relinquished, she placed it gently in his
hand, saying, in voice full of sweet,
tremulous emotion:
"Let it's mission be fulfilled and
crowned, Victor, my ownE" and the
next moment her head was resting upon
his shoulder, while her lips met his in a
betrothal kiss.
The engagement was soon made known
to Mr.. and Mrs. Armand, whose con
gratuIations were profuse and sincere,
Mr.. Armand himself appointed the wed
ding day, and orders were sent out fo1
the bridal trousseau, which was to be
made in Paris, in honor of his lovely
young relative.
One year from the time Julie De Sill
yer left her native land, homeless and
almost penniless steerage passenger in
an American ship, she stood, clad in hen
shimmering bridal robes, by the side Of
Victor Armand giving and = eceiving the
vows which secured to her his love and
protection as long as they both should
i've
But among all the elegant and costly
adornments with which the fond affec-
ton of her relatives had arrayed her,
the dearest and most highly priced was
the little locket, suspended from its
golden chain, which had been to her in
so signal manner talisman of love,
Joy and peace.