The Sedalia weekly bazoo. [volume] (Sedalia, Mo.) 187?-1904, 1881-11-15

entertaining conversation anu aIluSl1gr
anecdotes of that outer world. which
is to him a sealed volume of the past,
his gloomy countenamce softens soale-
what.
A few DAYS 90 by, and, evidently
much to Elvie's surprise, her father,
instead of spending the evening porting
over his musty books, draws his chair
near their guest and takes his part in
the conversation.
a sprained ankle seems a very
trifiing thing. but it often proves very
troublesome, and Erccldoune's long
walk did moi do his injury any good.
10 he is obliged to keep perfectly quiet
To tell the truth it is no irksome
thing TO him, for fac has never before
thrown in his path one who Sc puzzles.
battles, and bewitches him a does this
simple maiden, with her lovely refined
face and rude dress and surroundings
Elvie and her fathers guest have
many long talks. The girl. with her
impul>ive actions and unrestraind de
light. as she listencS IL his stories OF
the grea: world she had never known
seems a mere Chill but her exquisite
form daintily rounded in the ;ruest
symmetry, and her face, with It's ever
changing ewes Is Il woRlans
More Than Week has gone by, and
now Guy thinks that he will be able
70 Use his foot. He tells Elvie and
her father -.
Old Simon filings back his lon-
white hair with sud len movement
and starts to speak, then he>iiates /;
finally he says:
Stranger, 50 he calls him, Sin
the short time | have known YOU |
have learned To trust YOU" He
SAYS the word "trrst" with strong
emphasis. | had thought never to
believe in anything outside OF these
walls again but | feel that YOU are
worthy of confidence, and would not
,toop to a dishonorable action Stay"
AS Guy attempts To speak-.'you
wonder why | say this-let me tell
YOU. | have not always been az YOU
see me. Years ago was a rich man
rich in money and affection, with a
good business. a wife and this child. !"
touching Elvie, who sits quietly beside
him. "a villain in whom | trusted
ruined Iny fortunes, and, worse than
that, my fondly-loved wife was s.rick-
en- suddenly and died. There is no
need to speak Of the anguish and
bitterness | struggled with - it
ended in my fleeing far from the
haunts Of mn, with the one treasure
left me in this world. Here ! have
been since. Now i am old; | NAV
die at any time, and, though DO not
fear death FIR myself, dread the idea
Of leaving thi, child unprotected; she
i vi iout relatives.
"Father. father. DO not speak Of
DIVING"
Eivie springs to the old mans SHE.
and her dark hair mingles with his
white locks a. she winds her arms
around his meek.
Involuntarily tears spring 10 the
listeners ewes. He j. ever quickly
touched by ausht appealing TO sym
pathetic he ut
"What | want f. ask of you Is this. "
continues the old man, unwinding his
child's arms and putting her gently
aside. "Nhen | am gone will YOU he
protector to Eivie? Viii YOU place
her in q position where she can earn
her own living? She is well educated
! have seen to that myself. |. is a
great boon to ask a stranger {; but a.
| said before, | trust YOU. | have
noticed that YOU already have taken
an interest in her-will YOU see that
when she Is alone in the world no harm
comes 10 her ::
lie pau>es. and graveiy ndSolemnly
Guy Erceidoune answers:
II will"
Elvie rases her glorious eyes a
moment 10 hi> face, then, turning she
hides them upon her fathers shoulder.
A. the old hermit parts from his
guest Ike holds his hands and looks
earnestly into his lace.
When | feel mv last hour
approaching | viii send for you until
tHcu-tareweil."
~ Elvie accompanies him down
tie steep path which leads from the
cottage, Guy SAYS ia her:
"E:via. when the time comes that
your father i taken away from Won
(Which | hope may be long distant
f"r your sake | viii take You Ia Il
dear aunt-mv mothers sister. She
loves me-. and Is childlesS. ana Will do
anything Ia please me. Remember, If