The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1882-05-20
OTTAWA FREE TRADEE; SATURDAY, MAY 20. 1882.

Hannah stood IN the doorway, tossing corr
to fOrlorn little colony Of chickens. Twer
ty years had not improved her IN any respec
she was gaunter, bonner and more vinegar
+ faced than ever
v "Yes," SAID she, slowly, land perhaps yo,
don't remember that it was just twenty year
ago today that you threw $40 away IN tina
8 woman and her child. told you that you'
end your days in the poor house, and don
! see but what my prediction Is likely to CON
true. Didn't say you would live to repen
itY
II won't deny, Hannah" said the old man
"but that I've done good many things Nv
been sorry ior-we amt none OF us perfect
you know, wlie-but that is not one Of them
No, never for minute repented being kim
to the widow and fatherless."
, Hannah shrugged her shoulders, but mad
no reply.
Didn't you say you were going up to SCI
the rich lawyer about the $4,000 today" sh'
asked, presently
"Yes, but don't suppose It'll be much use
If he'd wait little I'd do my best to please
HIM. Jones says he'll be sure to sell the ole
place from over our heads, however; they tel
me he's hard man. | mean to explain Il
him inst how the matter Stands"
81 told you how it would be, long ago"
calculated Hannah, unable to restrain hel
vexatlon. "What on earth ever possessed you
to sign for Jesse Fairweathery"
81 sposed he was an honest man, and
wouldn't see an old friend wrOngcd."
"Fiddlesticks" exclaimed Mrs. Raynesford
That's Just your calculation, job! There
Zekc has brought the wagon; do start off OF
you will be too late for the York train
And job meekly Obeyed only too happy tC
oC from tho ppIl1sg 1Iarlrt pf hig yyita'l
rolling tongue.
The rays Of the MONDAY sun strcamed bright
ly through the stained glass easements of Dir
Everleigh's gothic library. The room was
decorated with appurtenances of wealth and
taste. Velvet chairs, with tall backs of dam
tily carved rosewood, were scattered here and
there; marble vases occupied inches beside
the doc, way, and the rarest pictures hung on
the panelcd and gIded wall But the prcttiesi
object of all--the one which the rich lawyer
oftenest raised his eyes from the writing to
contemplate with an involuntary smile OF
pride and aflecton-was a lovely woman in a
white cashmere morning robe trimmed with
velvet, who stood opposite, arranging flowers
in bouquet She wore spray of berries
carved of pink Neapolltan coral, at her throat
and tiny pendants of the same rare stone in
her shclllike ears, and the slender waist was
tied around with pink ribbon.
"There, Walter isn't that pretty ?" she asked
holding up her complete bouquet.
very pretty" he answered, looking not al
the roses or gcraniums but directly at the
blue eyes and golden curls of his beautiful
young wife.
"You are not even noticing it," she pOuted
because | see something so much better
worth looking at" he SAID, playfully.
| "Do you really love me 50 very much ?" she
asked throwing down the flowers and coming
around to his side.
| He rose and drew her Caresslngly toward
him.
"My dearest, you are more precious to me
than the whole world Desldew
| She let her head rest tor n moment on his
shoulder, and when she raised it there was a
tear on her eyelashes.
"Oh, Walter, II mamma could only see how
happy we are"
| There was knock at the door. Mrs. Ever
| leigh slipped from her husbands arm with the
prettlest blush IN the world, and was very busy
with her flowers when the rich lawyers fright
hand man" put his grizzled head into the
room.
The old man wants to see you about that
| Fairweather business"
"Show HIM in Don't look so disappointed
love-" he said, as the grizzled head dlsap,
peared. ~ shall not be detained three mln-
utes, and the horses are at the door,"
Mary Everleigh never troubled her pretty
little head about business matters, so she never
looked up as the hating sound of old Mr..
Raynesford's crutch echoed on the carpet
But the instant he spoke she started as If an
arrow had smtten her, and her slender hands
clasped together, listening as lntently as
though her life depended on hearing every
word. The old man was, pleading and sor-
rowlul-her husband politely intleXlble. AT
length job Raynesford turned to 90.
"Well, SIR" he said, In subdued tone, 81
don't know much about law books, but 1t does
seem hard that an old man should be turned
out of the home that has sheltered him Tor
sixty years, and all for no fault of his own.
They say you are a very rich gentleman, sir
Five thousand dollars may seem small sum
to you, but 1t Is my ALL"
| Mrs. Evereigh's soft voice broke the mo.
menlary silence that succeeded this appeal
"Waltcr, come here one minute want to
speak to you"
| lie obeyed somewhat surprised; she drew
him into u deep recess of stained glass win.
dows and standing there with the rosy and
amber shadows playing about her lovely brow,
like some fair pictured saint, she told him
how twenty years ago a wearled child and its
mother were ted and sheltered by kind heart.
ed stranger; how he had given them money
and kind wishes, when they were utterly alone
and desolate IN the wide world
But my love, what has all this to do with
| my business matters?"
much, Walter am that little childw
"You, my dearesty"
al, my husband, and the noble man who,
am persuaded, saved my life that night stands
yonder with gray, bowed head and sinking
hearth
Mary, you must surely be mistaken"
81 cannot be mistaken, Walter. l should
know him among a thousand. You SAID you
loved me this mornlng-now grant me one
| little boom"
"What is 1t, dearest~
| "Give me that note he spoke Of"
MIR. Everleigh silently went to small ebony
cabinet, unlocked it and drew out folded pa
per, which he placed IN her hands She glidcd
1 n In tho old m xuh hoh hoo,, c,,,