The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1882-10-19

Seaton ~ Seston -
The faint voice died away-,he eyes
were again closed.
Alice stood m Instant like one struck
dumb. She had never noticed the resemo'
lance before: bat nov she could trace The
firm line Of the old squirets eountenanee
in tbs, pale, pinched face.
Sleeping stillf Tha, is good sign said
her mother. coming in. ready to resume
her place for the night
Alice hesitated a moment Never be-
fore had she acted by or for herself IN any
matter Of moment.
But the sound Of voices might arouse
the slumberer Her father had gone on
household errand TO the village; there was
no one else to consult
Finally. she threw on her waterproof,
drew its hood over her head, and sped
across the valley TO Squire seaton's house.
Even the we'll trained servant wore an
astonished face as he ushered this mystSr-
iou, ,isItor into his masters study.
Squire Seaton looked up from his box,
and his usual pallor increased to CHASTITY
hue as he listened TO the breathless girl.
Ny SONNY boy-my Philip at your
fathers house? And dying, ycu fearY
Asking for me? Wait child I'll go with
YOU, of course-Ill go to my poor boy
But the room is going round-l think !
must be going blind
Alice sprang to his side. The gray head
fell upon her shoulder Tenderly she
smoothed the silverly hair away from the
high forehead and bathed the pals face
with cold water and fragrant essences
which the frightened servant brought to
her
The old man revived to find her minis.
tering to him thus. And II was almost
like father and daughter that they took
their way across the valley together, he
leaning on her arm and listening greedily
to all that she could tell him OF his long
absent, long uiouTucu oous
II is my fathers voice. hear his step!
shall get well il he will only forgive me!
said the invalid, greatly TO Mrs Dewents
surprise as the house door softly opened
to a strangers touch.
He struggled up from his pillows, resist
ing her attempt to soothe him.
Father, am sorry--forgive me! he said
in a firmer voice, as Alice entered follow
ed by the aged man.
And then Squire Seaton came feebly but
swiftly into the room, and he held his son
to his heart, sobbing aloud with gratitude
and ioy, while Alice drew her bewildered
mother into the kitchen and told her OF
her expedition to the house OF the lonely
millionaire.
Joy seldom kills; aud there is reviving
power in love and happiness combined
far beyond the skill OF all earthly ply
scians or the virtue Of all earthly drugs.
So it happened that as the spring months
deepened into summer. Philip Seaton,
strong and well once more stood beside
Alice in the poarch one evening to see the
6 o'clock express hasi by.
At Leadville, when / was utterly reck'
less, and utterly pennlless, too, lette'
from my father reached me, 'he said IN o
low tone. 1t was so kind, SO sad, that II
seemed to turn me from my evil course on
the moment Just as was---in the rough
garments OF q miner--I set off TO return to
my father, like the prodigal sen. And
God led me here!
There was long silence; the sun sank
ont Of sight behind the circling mount
aims; the first chill of the evening was on
the air.
In mine anger swore ! never
would enter my fathers house, the young
man went on. But it was not this house
Here may enter, purified, repentant, for
given, if only the angel Of my new iift
will go with me. Will she Alioe9
He took her hand.
But your father stammered Alice.
am only farmers daughter! Aud you---
I am not worthy Of your love in anyway.
But my father begs You to be his daughter
Alice. Say yes!
She did say it, And so the the greatest
fortune OF her life--the brightest happi'
ness of both their lives came on that
evening train.