The Osceola times., 1881-01-29
TIE WAIF /;
Or Ruth Reynolds Rival,

uriously-furnished library, gazing into
the burning Goals with tar-away look
in his handsome dark eyes, and Il stern
expression npon his shapey mouth.
In woldly wealth he had everything
to make him happy, he had delyed deep
into science, travelled extensively, was
honored and greatly sought after in So
ciety, especially by fascinating widows
with meagre incomes, and mothers with
daughters on the matrimonial carpet;
but at thirty, he was still bachelor, and
no woman could claim that she had won
more than courtesy from him-yes, there
was one woman that could have done so;
but that was in the past, and it was a
broken dream of love that left its
impress upon Lucian Nerne's face and
heart.
A ring at the door he did not heed,
but the coming in of the butler, with
bundle in his arm and lugubrious
expression upon his face, which he
noticed.
what is it, Dennis?"
"Im sure / doesen't know, sur; il
moight be a boy, and it moight be a
girl"
What do you mean, sir?" asked the
doctor sternly, disliking this breaking
in upon his reverie, painful though it
seemed.
Its a blissed baby, sur"
Dr. Verne wheeled in his chair as
though Dennis had said it was an ana
conda, and repeated:
"a wha,W
"No, sur; baby take it," and Dennis
came forward with the bundle in his
arms; mass Of dainty wraps that en-
folded a wee form, and from which
peeped two large blue eyes that looked
in Lucian Nerne's face, and in spite of
the stern look it met, the little rosy
mouth was puckered up with a smile.
at is baby, Dennis, and beautiful
one, too"
80 | was after thinking sur"
what can it mean"
"I'm not a father sur, and for the loife
Of me I'm not knowing"
81 say what does it mean coming
here?n
"Sure. sur, it couldn't walk; it was
fetched
That is evident; give it to me-
I'm willing, sur" answered Dennis,
who had been holding il pretty much as
he would have held mad dog he feared
would bite him.
Into his arms DIR. Lucian Verne took
the little infant, and then beheld upon
its baby collar a tiny note, which he
hastily detached and read aloud.
1t was as follows;
Relying on the heart of DR.. Lucian
Verne, | cast my child at his door and
upon his mercy, until it can be claimed
by A MOTHER"
The writing was evidently disguised
and gave no clew; but the silent appeal
decided Lucian Verne, and he said;
Send the housekeeper here, Dennis"
''Sure, sur, she's an old maid and would
niver know anything"
"Do as bid you, Dennis
"Yes, sur" and disappearing, Dennis
soon returned with kindly-faced wo-
man of forty, evidently belonging to that
much.abused class, old maids.
Miss Marcy, here is a child sent to
my doorstep, and from whom, or where,
! cannot tell; this note accompanies it,
and ! shall obey its request, and care for
the little one; so ! give it into your
charge, and tomorrow you can engage a
nurse for it."
ooh, sir, your good heart prompts this,
and | hope you will not have cause to
regret, but will be pleasant to have 4 baby
in the house, and I'll take the best of
care Of her"
as it her, Miss Marcy"
"Wcll, sir, Cannot-that is
"Never mind, madam; take him, her
or it, and care for the poor little thing
And lucian Verne turned once more
TO his musings; but the reyerie was
broken, he had become restless, and with
quick, nervous step he paced the room,
for somehow that baby face recalled
haunting memories from the buried
past.
Eighteen years have passed away since
that night when Lucian Nernes revere
was broken by the coming of that little
infant and in all that time not one regret
has the kindly man had that he cared
for the waif; for through girlhood and
maidenhood the child of adoption
brought only sunshine into the grand old
homestead where the doctors ancestors
had dwelt for nearly century.
AS he once more sits in his library,
gazing into the glowing embers, few
changes have the years stamped upon
his face though his hair is tinged with
silver and his form grown stoutcr, per-
haps.
Again the door opens, and in sweeps
Felice; but no longer the baby girl, for
she had grown into beautiful woman,
with dark blue eyes that seem to read
ones soul, golden hair and a form of rare
grace.
"Guardie, letter just received from
Ruth says She wishes me TO visit her in
the city for few days. May I?'
Certainly, Felice; will take you there
whenever you wish to go. When shall
il be?"
Tomorrow
And the day after found Felice Verne
for she had taken her guardians name
"A guest of Ruth Raynor, the acknowl-
edged belle of Hartford, and yet less
beautiful by far than was Felice.
I'VE will have plenty of company, my
dear, and one who is my especial admira-
ton, for he is a naval officer on leave is
rich as Crpsus handsome, and I've set
my cap for him, so / warn you before