The Brookhaven ledger. (Brookhaven, Miss.) 1875-1883, 1881-12-15

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his nerveless grasp. Wife and child
both gomez
Then, rushing frantically from the
house, he hastened down to the riv-
er,side. On the bank he found a
cape and handkerchief with the mi.
tials in the corner. For many days
Mr.. Arlington lay at deaths door.
His sister was sent for, and she
came to keep house. He did not
die but came slowly back to life:
but he was q changed man. Hith.
erto he had always been harsh and
stern towards those in his employ
but now his manner changed, and
he had a kind word and helping
hand for all.
Il Il 4 4
Five years passed away. 1t was @
dreary autumn day; the sky over
head was dull, leaden hue, and the
dead leaves futtered to the ground
with a rustling sound. A poor
wretched room in the top of an old
tenement house; the wind sobbed
and mourned through the many
cracks in the walls and the room
itself was cheerless and poorly fur
nishcd. A bed, table, and couple
of chairs, constituted the only fur
niture.
Seated at an easel, putting the fin
ishing touches on picture, was a
young man of twenty-sevcn. His
face was pale and haggard, and his
eyes wild and sunken. A woman
was seated opposite sewing buslly.
but every now and anon casting an
anxious glance at her husband. On
the floor at her feet was little boy
of four, playing with some toys.
They were Maud and Arthur Lee.
/ There, that is DONE said Arthur,
rising and throwing down the brush.
Cheer up, Maud; we shall soon have
food and fire. And crossing to his
wife's side, he stopped and kissed
her, then donning his coat, took his
picture and started out.
Heaven grant that. you may be
successful said Maud ferventIy.
Half an hour passed, and Maud
heard heavy footsteps on the stairs,
the door opened and Arthur entered.
He placed the pictures ON the table
and sank exhausted in a chair, bu-
rying his face in his hands. Maud
crossed the room and laying her
hand on his shoulder asked:
What is the matter, Arthur
He raised his haggard face as he
said:
He refused the picture, said he
had too many on hand
sDo not be downcast, Arthur,
said Maud. Remember there Is
one above who will not forget us.
He made no reply. Suddenly a
thought struck Maud, and she ex-
claimed:
oh, my vase
Going to the old trunk in the cor
ner she brought forth the box.
Then, telling Arthur the story con-
nected with it she unlocked the box
and took out the vase. Arthur took
| it and examined it curiously; as he
did so piece of paper futtered to
the floor.
God be praised" calculated Maud
as she picked up the paper and
glanced at it. Arthur replaced the
vase, and taking the slip of pape.
from her hand, looked at it. For a
moment he sat as one stunned and
then, rising, caught Maud in his
arms, saying:
Your mothers gift, darling, has
indeed proved opportune.'
That little slip of paper was q
check for ten thousand dollars.
Mr.. Arlington sat alone in his
study with Maud's picture on the
desk before him. The lovely liquid
blue ewes seemed to look at him re-
proachfully.
oh, if could only recall her!
So absorbed was he that he did
not hear the footstep on the carpet.
A pair of soft arms were thrown
around his neck, and a voice he had
never expected to hear again, said
4 am here, papa
He started to his feet.
sMaudp he gasped. i thought
| you were dead, and that had killed
YOU
No, papa said Maud. I am
still alive
Thank heavenr said Mr.. Airing
ton, clasping her in his arms. But
pray explain
Maud then told him the whole
story, and when she had finished he
asked
i Where is Arthur
/ At this moment Arthur entered,
Heading little Earl.
/ Come. Earl, and kiss grandpa,
jsaid Maud.
/ Earl ran to him and put up his
rose bud lips for a kiss. Mr.. Ar
Ilington took him up in his arms and
kissed him, thep turned to his
daughter, saying:
How like You he, is, Maud'
/ She smiled and answered-
He has my hait but Arthurs
eyes glancing at the handsome face
of one she loved SO well.
] Gently putting the child down,
Mr.. Arlington advanced. and taking
Arthur s>hand said:
Forgive>pe, my by, if / have
] been harsh
/ DO not speak Of it, said Arthur,
shaking his hand warmly. All that
is past now.
| And it shall never be recalled,
said Mr.. Arlington.
i What happy meeting it was
i After the story Of the vase had beer
told again. Mr.. Arlington said, q
he laid his hand on bis daughter.
head:
i And this restoration, my darling
lis all due to the mysterious vase.
Z 40