Claiborne guardian., 1881-08-10

nursed the memory OF his lost love
silently and hopelpssly in the
nobtest, manifest heart that ever
thr0bbed.
Fourteen years from the time of
Valerie's elopement the old Chad.
wick farmhouse had b-en pulled to
the ground, aud all the appurteH.
anc-s OF petroleum shaft occupied
its place.
R-uben Chadwick had become
fabalously wealthy. The magic
founta ain WAS sprOuting riches for
him every day. But wealth and
travel, the smiles and approval Of
all the world, had failed to ease the
sorrowful yearning for q sight Of
the sweet girl.face which had been
his first love.
He had taken apartments in the
city OF New York, aud one day late
in October, as he paced the floor of
bis luxurious pariOr, there was q
sound of music outside his windows
IA harp aud violin. He turned
listlessly toloOk out, when, thrilling
through the clear air there came q
childish voice, Heavenly sweet, yet
with an undertone of sadness which
WAS inexpressibly touching. And
the song! Reuben caught his breath
in sudden rapture and pain. How
many times had he sung that very
song with his sweet Valerie Grey!
He swept aside the rich curtains
of the window and looked out.
A ragged boy with the small,
dark features and pathetic, black
eyes of the Italian race, WAS draw.
ing the bow over the Strings Of a
little violin on which his sharp chin
leaned lovingly.
By his side a girl of twelve was
sweeping her slender fingers across
the striugs of her harp, and singing
with fair, rapt face framed in
curling, golden hair, This song which
stirred Renben Chadwick's heart
with such bitter. sweet memories:
Hours there were to mem'ry dearer,
Brightest Of a sunny day;
| Friends were dearet, Joys we're nearer,
But alas they've fled away"
Reuben looked AT the child singer
in utter bpwild-rnent. 1t was
Naierie's own tace IN tie remember.
ed ber, n school girl. when be had
been budding into young manhood.
Valerie's face, only paler and sadder
than he had ever seen it. Aud
then, rs the song WAS finished, he
threw open the window.
Tue little street minstrels looked
up -the Toy quite unmoved, the
girl flushing TO The roots OF her fair
hair, and then Reuben saw that her
eyes we're large, deep, and mourn
tut, and intetlsei, biack-hot Vale.
rir's eyes, surely!
"Will YOU step in u moment, my
little onet" said keuben; and after
Il " hispered consultation With her
companion, the girl answered III
soft, melodious tones with slight
accent:
"if Carl may come also.'
Reuben NODDED assent, and met
them at the door. Ushering them
into the richly furnished parlor, hr
questioned the girl gently as to hef
name and family, while Carlo watch
ed rather jealously the strange
gentleman who sermed to take "
great All interest III his cotuI,ztiiOn
My name, SigDOr, Is Valerie
Marl-llo. My mother Is, oh, I'D very
Ill, The doctor says she must die
for want of wtue and such food at
We have 10 money 10 buy. So Carlo
here, he Is my friend aud li>tsiu the
same street with me, he plays Oi
his violin about the streets, and ht
said | could lake my harp and com,
with him, and play the songs VI
play together; and Carlo said il
would but sing, souie OF the kin'
ladies aud gentlemen would give M
money. So AIN here for love q
my dear mother"
One more question, Valerie, salt
Reuben, with such GLOW il bi
iace aud eyes as made him aluios
handsome, despite the liues Of sor
Z row on his broad brow aud the grr,
! hairs ~ bis temples "is your falbe
a, h,ingr
? A shadow swept over the girl
=. CONFERENCE.-The shadow of o.
| unpleasant memory.
NO. she answered, "he die
. three years ago, over the sea i
j. Italy,
81 have a feeling that your moit