The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1882-12-23
and becoming restive under SO much ques
tioning.

losing him, he could give me no clue by
which to find his home. Grandpa, grand
ma, mamma, who was called Mary by the
rest, Aunt Daisy and the three children
were ali mentioned, and persistent ques
tioning revealed that he lived in large
house in the country, but that was all
My heart grew fairly sick as looked in his
beautiful face and pictured the grief of his
widowed mother over the loss of this only
child. In vain searched his clothing for
the mysterious "locket containing the min
iature of beautiful female" always found
on the stray children in novels; no ''straw-
berry or raspberry mark" disfgured his
smooth, white skin. His clothing, of the
most dainty material and make, was marked
with the initials "a. H..
Days passed away, and still the little
Trot-for he would own no other name
was an inmate of my cottage, the very dar-
ling of Mrs. Watson's motherly heart. /
advertised him in all the large cities, hoping
some paper would reach his country home;
vet as the days wore away, and he became
reconciled to his new home, and ceased to
grieve for his family, began to dread the
hour when he should be claimed. His
frank, bright joyousness, his merry prattle,
his loving caresses, began to fill an unsus-
pected void in my heart, and Mrs. Watson
was perfect slave to his loving tyranny
She made him pretty garments to replace
the rich velvet suit which we put carefully
aside, in case they were ever required to
prove his identity. She furnished for his
bedroom small apartment leading from
her own sleeping-room. She made the day
one long act of service for his comfort, and
as weeks glided into months, and there was
no clue found to guide us to his home, she
taught him to call her grandma, while
Uncle Charley became my newly acquired
title. To tell how he was petted in the
village would be vain task to attempt.
To saw that he was the hero and idol of
Hopedale, will give but a faint idea of his
popularity. Gradually the memory of his
home, Ellen, the visit to Australia died
away, and he seemed to forget that he had
ever lived away from us. Mamma and
Aunt Daisy had been the two of whom he
spoke most; but I judged from all he said,
that his fathers death was very recent, and
his residence at his grandparents briet
visit only in his memory.
Eleven months had this dear little treas
ure been an inmate of my house, when
there came into my life new dream OF
hope and happiness. About five miles
from Hopedale there resided, and had lived
for many long years, an eccentric old bach
elor. by name Herman Graham. His
home, Leehaven, was far away from any
cluster of houses, indeed, nearly mile from
any other residence; and here, in solitary
state, with only two ancient servitors for
his household, he had lived ever since L
could remember He was a morose, ill
tempered man, and some early cross had
made him adopt perfectly hermit-like Sc
clusion, though his wealth would have COM
manded every advantage society could offer.
It was early in November that was sum-
moned to attend this odd genius, profes-
sionally. The little note brought to my
Office by an elderly man on horseback, was
signed LILLIAN Graham and urged my i'm
mediate attention.
It was long, cold drive, but the man
represented his master as very i'll, so [ pre-
pared to obey the summons. II had nc
idea your master had daughter" [ said
referring to my note.
s'That's masters neiee," was the reply
IA nice sweet-spoken young lady as ever
seen. She comes down on visit some
times from her fathers place near Albany
They were burnt out, her fathers folks
last winter, and the family went to Europe
while the new house was building. They
came home about fortnight ago, but they
won't go to the new house till spring, Sc
some Of them's boarding in New York, ane
some in Albany, and Miss Lillian she's come
to spend the winter with her uncle They re
all coming down for Christmas, expect.
found my new patient very i'll, ane
for week my visits were frequent, and
more than once passed whole night by
his bedside. I do not mean this for love
tale, so I will not weary my reader with
the why and wherefore of my heart blend
ingin allegiance to Lillian Graham's charms
Her beauty, gentleness, and winning grace
touched my heart as no woman had evel
before thrilled it, and before that weary
week of anxiety and watching was over
loved her. AS her uncle began to recover
my visits slid from a professional capacity
to social one, and saw that my welcome
was sincere one from both the old gen.
tleman and the fair girl, whose devotion tt
his sick bed proved her love. Twas agree
ably surprised to find the hermit neither
so savage or inaccessible as he had been rep
resented to me. He had painful. chronic
disorder; his manner was brusque, and hi
voice often harsh, but he could soften, ane
I was able to give him relief from pain, fol
which he repaid me by gracious reception
Christmas was drawing near, and had
resolved to lay my heart before Lillian, anc
ask her to be my wife. I was heir to con
siderable property left by my father.
had good practice, pleasant home, ant
could offer her the pure love of young
heart, SO I was not without hope, especial.
as [ could see the flush deepen on her cheek
and a glad light spring to her blue eye
whenever [ was announced. She wor'
mourning, and I often longed to question
her about the loss it implied, but our private
interviews were very brief, and but seldom
occurred, and she never spoke of her sor
row. |, too, had story to tell. Of cours,
if she became my wife, she must hear abou
Trot. .h ~.
1t was the day before Christmas, and tn
snow was smooth and hard round Hopedale
SO I..ventured to propose sleigh ride, mean
ing to open my heart to her as we drove
She accepted my proposal readily, and W.
were soon on our way. Somehow there
fell a long silence between us; I longins
but not daring to speak, my eyes fxed
upon that lovely face framed in its pretty
fur-bound hood, the eyes looking down, th'
sweet mouth set with a sadder expression
than I had ever seen it wear. Suddenl,
she spoke:
II expect my parents, brothers and sis
ters here Tomorrow
tE0r Chrisu,ac 90 erovofiac 2'' r r,,,act,ox,oJ