The weekly herald. [volume] (Cleveland, Tenn.) 1876-1888, 1881-04-15

out of the sorrowful home that had been
hers but year and half. No sympa-
thy nor kindness were offered her now.
They paid her the moderate provision
that had been assured her, and said
"good-bye," with no invitation to remain
or visit them. She was no longer neces-
sary to them, and they could resent her
past coldness.
Even when her husband died, six
months after their coming to the pro-
perty, she did not much seek their COM
panionship, though they then redoubled
their attention, as their hopes increased.
Bernard had been an at1ectionate but
a dissipated husband; and if his wife
grieved for him it was not as one with
out hope. Little Philip, her idol, now
two years old, was left her, and she
turned to him with all her heart.
And now he was gone! Three years
old and so ventursome! How had he
eluded servants and mother and play
mates? He had done so, in spite OF
every care. The river running past their
park had enticed him, and he was gone.
Every effort had been made, search, adj
vertisements, rewards offered, but in
vain; and the finding of that little body
with the golden hair in cruls about the
face had satisfied her. A curl had been
given the mother, and putting it side by
side with one she had cut from Philips
head only month before, they could
not be told apart.
Mrs. Beaufort did not return tc
America, as they had expected. She took
a cottage near and lived in it. She could
not leave the neighborhood where hel
darlings body lay, and where his inno'
cent soul had taken wing. Shut up IL
this secluded house, which to her was
not home, she abandoned herself tC
grief, But after a year was past she was
obliged to rouse herself Her health
was failing, and the good vicar one Of
her faithful friends, could no Longer
refrain from reproof
Mrs Beaufort was not selfish, and she
was not ilreligious. At the call she
lifted her head, looked about the world
| outside of her retreat, and saw work
enough to do. At that sight her energy
awoke, and she laid aside her lamenta
tions. But no one could see her white
sad face without being convinced thai
! life had no charm for her.
And SO four years passed. The Beau
forts of the manor had taken no notice
of her; but some of the country families
still visited her, and she had many
friends. Her means were small, but al
the poor blessed her; for her kind wore
and helping hand were better than gold
No one saw the lonely night when she
wept and kissed those locks of colder
hair, and gazed at the miniature of he
boys face.
One day the widow had been out OF
an elrand of mercy, and was strollint
slowly homeward in the soft, rich hgh
of June sunset. The blossominG
hedges were full of singing birds, thu
trees bent over, the air was silent anC
laden with sweet odors.
As she walked slowly along the roaC
strange gladness stirred in her heart
for something pleasant had happened
that morning. She had met the vica
that afternoon in her visiting-not fo
the first time, by any means, for Mr.
Vernon was friend to the poor and wa
also kind friend to this bereaved lady
But something new had shown itself il
his manner; or if not new, it was, q
least, shown in decided manner tina
seemed new,
The Rev. Mr.. Vernon had married earl,
in life, and his wife had lived but fey
years. His best friends thought that tn
less said about the latter the better
The gentleman had been drawn into tn
marriage at an age when he should hay
been at his studies and it was a happ
thing for him that the companionshi
had been brief. He had not cared (
repeat the experiment. With larg
circle of friends, and quiet, well-ker
house, he said to himself that he woul
be foolish to change. And he had nc
wished to change till now. His sympa
thy had been aroused by the sorrows c
the lovely Mrs Beaufort, and his slender
ness by the beauty of her character Blu
not until within few weeks had h
known how deep that tenderness an
sympathy were, nor how sweet it woul
be to have that fair face and form {
adom his home, and be forever in hi
7 sight.
To-day, for the first time, the trut
, had broken out. It was but worC
Seeing her look paler than usual, tn
young clergyman had asked impulsivel,
' care you i'll, Alice?"
| 1t was the first time he had called hc
by that name, and the color flashed ovC
r his face as soon as the words had passC
a his lips. But his bright eyes dwelt c
c her face as he saw the answering blusl
+ the sweet, sudden smile, the quick loo
i up into his eyes, then the droopir
i glance.
Il ono not III ~ shp stammered. "I a