The Worthington advance., 1882-05-11
NUMBER g..


you that you'd end your days in tho poor
house, and don't see but what my prsdic-
ton Is likely to come true. Didn't I say you
would live to repent it,"
Il won't deny. HANNAH" said the old
man, but that I've done . good many
things I've been sorry for-we amt none
Of us perfect you know, wife-but that is
not one of them. No, never for moment
repented being kind to the widow and faith
erless."
Hannah shrugged her shoulders, but
made no reply.
"Didn' t you say you were going up to
see the rich lawyer about the five thousand
dollars o-day2" she asked, presently.
"Yes, but don't suppose it'll be much
use.. II he'd wait little. I'D do NV best
to please him. Jones says he'u be sure to
soil the old place, over our heads, however:
explain to him just how the matter stands
Il told you how it would he long ago!"
calculated Hannah. unable to restrain her
yexation. "What On earth ever possessed
you. to sign for JeFsie Fatrweather?"
Il s'posed he was an honest man, and
wouldn't see An old friend wronged."
"Fiddlest:oks!" exclaimed Mrs. Rxynss.
ford. That's Just your calculation, Jobl
There Zeke has brought the Wagon; do
start of or you'll be too late fcr the York
train"
And dob meekly obeyed, only too happy
10 escape from the endless discord Of bis
wlfe's rolling tongue.
The rays OF the MONDAY sun streamed
brightly through the stained glass easements
Of AIr. Everleigh's Gothic library. The
1ooni was decorated with appurtenances Of
wealth and taste. Velvet chairs, with tall
backs Of daintily carved rosewood, were
scattered hers and there. Marble vases oc-
cnpied inches beside the doorway, and the
1arest pictures hung on the painted and
g;ided wall. But the pfettiest object Of all,
raised bis eyes from the writing to contemp-
late with an involuntary smile Of pride and
effection, was lovely WOMAN in white
cashm ere morning robe. trimmed with VEL
vet. Who stood opposite, arranging flowers in
Loquet. She wore spray of berries
carved Of Neapolitan coral OF her throat, and
tiny pendants of the same rare stone in her
sEelllike ears, and the slender waist was
lied around with pink ribbon.
There, Walter, isn't that prettyf" she
! asked. holding no the completed bouquet.
Very pretty" be answered, looking not
at the roses or geraniums, but directly at
the blue eyes and golden cnrls OF bis beanti-
ful young wife.
"Youare not even not icingit. she poated.
"Because see something 30 much better
worth looking at, he said playfully.
do you really love me SO very lauch2"
she asked throwing down the flowers, and
ovming around to his side.
He rose and drew her caresaingly toward
him.
My dearest, you are more precious TO
! lie tLan the whole world Eesides!"
Shs let her head rest for moment Oh
: his shoulder and when she raised it there
! WIS O tear Oh her eyelashes.
"Ob, Walter, il mamma could only see
how happy We are!"
There was knock at tho door. Mrs.
| Everleigh slipped from her husbands arm
| wi.h the prettiest blush in the world; and
was yer : lusy with her flowers when the
rich lawyers right Land man put his griz-
Z!ed head into the room.
The old man wants to see you about
! that Fairweather business"
Show bin in. Don't look so disap-
| pointed, love-" he said, as the grizzled
| head disappeared. Il shall not be detain-
ed three minutes, and the horses are at the
! door"
Mary Everleigh never trouble her pretty,
little head about business matters, SO she
never looked up as the hating sound Of
old Mr. r R,ynesford's crutcn echoed on the
cirpet. But the instant he spoke she star
ed as If an arrow had smitten her, and her
slender hands cllspsd together, listening as
hearing every word. The old man was
pleading and sorrowing-her husband po-
'iteiy inhexible. At length Job Raynesford
turned to 60.
! "Well, eir," he said. in a subdued tone,
Il don't know much about laW and law
books, but it does seem hard that an old
man should be tnrned ont OF the home
that has sheltered him for sixty years, and
all for 10 fault Of his own. They say you
are very rich gentleman; sir-S5OO0 may
seem small sum'to you, but it is my all. "
Mrs. Everleieh's soft voice broke the
momentarY silence that succeeded this 0p-
! peal.
Walter, come here one minute--I want
to speak to you"
ho obeyed, somewhat surprised; SIZE
drew him into deep recess of the stained
glass window, and standing there with the
rosy and amber shadows playing about hel
lovely brow like some fair-pictured saint,
she told him how twenty years ago wear
! led child and its mother were fed and shell
!
nai given thom money and kind wishes,
when thov We're utterly alone and dasolate
III the vide world.
But, my love. what has all this to 10 with
uy business mattersi"
! Much, Walter! l am ti.at little child!'
You, my dearestt"
i, my husband aud the noblo man. who
am persuaded. saved my life that night,
! stands yOndeI, with gray, lowed head ant;
sinking heart!"
| Mary, you must surely lie mistaken.
! Il cannot he mistaken, Walter; Should
Enow him among thousand. You said you
loved me. this morning; nov Prant 1Ie one
! little BOOM"
! what is it, deareet:"
| Give me that note he spoke Of"
| Mr.. Everlsigh silently went to q small
ebony cabinet, unlocked it and drew out q
folded paper, which he placed III her hands.
She gided up to the old man, who had
been gazing out Of the window IN q sort Of
reverie, and laid her soft hand On bis arm,
DO you remember the little golden. hair
| ed Mary whom You found with her mother.
wearied out on the roadside, twenty years
ugo?"
"Do I remember her, lady2 It was bnt
this very morning was recalling the whole
! scene.
! Aud don't you rocogui2s me7" she said,
smiling up into his face as she drew back
! the drooIing curls. Il am little Nary!"
He stood in besildered silence. All Of a
! sudden the truth seemed to break upon him.
and be laid his hand upon her head with a
| fearful blessing.
And your mother. my chiid1"
she has been dead for years; but it is
NV dearest task to be the instrument OF her
! gratitude. Hero is the note you indorsed;
| my husband has given It to me. See!"
a small lamp was burning in one of the
| inches; she held the bit of paper over the
| Il ime until it fell cloud OF light ashes mp.
on the floor.
"Weli!'
Mrs. Raynesford net hsr husband at the
| door ct the instant his cru:ches sounded
On tho little g,ayeled path.
Why don't yon speak, OF course ( know
! yon've nothing but bad news to tell, bnt
| may as wei! hear it at once.
Have yon seen the gentleman? What did
! he say2"
! Hannah" said old job Raynesford,
| slowly folding up his gloveI, do you rs-
member the ten dollars I gave that poor
| young wonderer score years ago to-day?'