The Russellville Democrat., 1881-03-31


 words. l will be back in a moment
 lie ran down the stairs, and the little girl, Mary, had hardly had time to ex plain who he was before he was back again. In his own hands he brought { dozen punches of kindling wood, and al of these he placed in the little stove anc set them afre. He moved the youns lady away from the window to the stove and was so filled with surprise that any should be so wretchedly poor that he did not notice even the grateful smile that hovered about the quivering lips, and did not even hear the low thank you' which she uttered.
 A man shortly after tumbled in bar rel of coal, and very soon the room was warm and the frost began to melt from the windows.
 Kenneth Winnard went again into the street, and when he returned he had with him basket of eatables.
 There" he said, taking a long breath you will be at least partially comforta. ble for the night, and will come in again tomorrow"
 He was hurrying from the room when little Mary caught his hand and kissed it.
 Dear sir" she said, "wc will Hess you forever and ever"
 With these heartfelt words sounding like sweet music in his ears, he went back to his sumptuous home. They were still chatting pleasantly in the par Tor, but he did not join them
 The next day he went again to little Mary's home, and was greatly pleased to see the young lady look much brighter than on the night before. With great earnestness she thanked him for his kindness, and related to him little of her life history, which was the old story of wretchedness and poverty taking the place of afiiuence. She had supported herself and her little sister for more than year by her needle, but her health failed her, and then she saw no way left for her to live.
 Kenneth Winnard was much touched by her simply-told history, and every day found him for a half hour or more in the little room, which now began to look cheerful and cosy. He found many more who were in need of help, and he visited them, and many hearts blessed him, and many lips heralded his good deeds.
 Claudia soon tired of her new lovers soft words, and the calm, handsome face of Kenneth haunted her. sleeping and waking. She heard of his noble deeds, and her new lover seemed insipid by the side of him, and so she drifted away from him and treated him with coolness and often with contempt. The winter passed away, and the glad, new spring came to send fresh hopes and vigor into the hearts of the poor. Poor Annie Day and her little sister Mary were now living in comparative comfort. Annie had regained her health, and was again working with her needle for their support; but she had found ope friend, and life seemed brighter and fairer to her, and she worked with new glad ness in her heart.
 Kenneth Winnard loved her. His acquaintance with her sweet disposition and cheerful spirit had won his admira- ton and affection, and he smiled as he thought of the love h9 had once felt for Claudia Drummond, and compared it to the tender quiet affection which he gave to gentle Annie Day. He did not declare his love, for he had promised himself when he attached the diamond ring to his watch chain, that never would he place it upon finger again until he had proved the faithfulness of her whom he 1 loved, if ever he should love again. He was rich and Annie Day was poor ! Would she not be glad to marry him, even without affection? He tried to in vent some plan by which he could learn | if she truly loved him, and while he l thought and pondered in vain, Provi- dence was about to execute plan which would be a sure test.
 | Kenneth continued to visit the poor, and administer to their comfort, and, at last, he was stricken down, and the doc tor pronounced his disease the small pox. They all fled from him. His proud | sister-in-law, his niece, and Claudia ! Drummond, and q servant only, was left ! to care for him who had been so kind ! to others; but one day the room seemed to grow bright with the presence of sweet Annie Day.
 l She remained by his side all through his sickness; she bathed his brow, and sung low, sweet songs to him; she did everything human hands or human 1 heart could; and when the sickness was 1 over, and he sat convalescent, in his great armchair, she left him, as it were | in darkness, and commenced again hel ! labor with the needle.
 He was soon well again, and the house was once more in order, and occupied as formerly
 Claudia Drummond was learning fast to despise her second lover, and to love Kenneth Winnard with much greater ar dor than before the engagement was broken; and one day while he sat in his library, she entered, and throwing her self at his feet, implored him to take her back again to the place she once occu' pied in his heart, and place on her finger the ring she had once worn.
 He pitied, but did not love her, and with a few kim. words, and arecital of a change in his feelings, he Jeff her there | ashamed, angry and wretched.
 He sought the humble home of Annie Day, and told her of his affection, and l asked her to be his wife.
 She looked into his truthful eyes, and l in firs tone replied:
 Kenneth, love you, but l am poor and you are rich. l will do anything for you; will always be ready to com fort you, and do all that faithful wor. ] shipping heart can do, but l cannot marry you. Your station is far above me-"
 Then Kenneth Winnard, doubiy con. l yinced of her f9ithfulness, pleaded with 1 her until he had reasoned away all ob. l iections, and she Was made his wife, and | the good minister said
 "What God has Joined together, let nc man put asunder.'
 Little Mary found a beautiful home al their pleasant fireside, and never night did Kenneth Winnard forget to offer