Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1882-08-31
A HIDDEN PEARL.

The quaint little German town was
wrapped in the darkness and silence of
midnight
Within II narrow chamber at his lodg-
ings Lewis Craven was dying, while
over him sorrowfully bent Aubrey Nor
timer, abe friend and companion of many
years If delightful wandering through
the old world
Mortimer was by ten years the young
or Of the two. He was wealthy and ele-
gant--a favorite in society. Fortune
scerred ever to smile ON him.
Craven, on the contrary. was poor-a
Wbrdte1r with a good deal of talent,
bus he lacked energy for the hard work
which would have insured him profits
be success.
He was n thoroughly educated. agree,
able, fascinating gentleman.
When mere boy he had married, y
year later his girl-wife had brcathcd her
last, leaving him father and a widow
er ut the age of twenty.
He never married again.
The child, a little girl, was placed in
charge of Il nurse until she attained n
suitable age TO be sent to school. There
were years during which she did not see
her father Then came letter to the
young Girl which thrilled her with de-
lightful anticipation. She was 10 join
the father whose face was almost un-
known to her, but whose charming let
tiers had been the one Joy of her board
ing-School life. She was TO leaYcSchool,
leave London, and cross the Channel TO
the old town where her father WAS wait
ing to welcome her.
This letter preceded n call from Au-
brey Mortimer, who, being in England,
was to escort Ter to her father.
The first time that he saw Cecil Cra-
zen he thought her a shy little school
girl, with big hazel eyes, q quantity of
Y brown hair, and brown complexion to
match
"Homely little thing he Shoueht;
"and frightened half to death, poor
f baby
And thereupon, following the impulse
of his chivalrous heart, he exercised ev-
cry power which his worldly experience
had given him to make her long ocean
voyage pleasant one; and she, in her
gratitude for his kindness and courtesy,
showed herself to be very delightful
j and sensible little companion. So that
when Mortimer handed Cecil Craven
a over to her father, he had grown to have
& q sort of brotherly regard for her, while
"a she had put him upon awhile pedestal,
and was prepared, after her passionate,
n girlsh fashion, to worship him rs some
K thing little less than godlike.
All of which-had Mortimer known it
4 would have touched and shamed him
4 a good deal.
But he did not know it. No one would
y have guessed at the strength and warmth
.and passion of little Cecil's heart
~ She kept her secret shut close from
sRthe world, She was happy; twas hap
b pincsS to be so constantly with the two
| OF all others whom she loycd-her faith
/ er and Mortimer. She kept the rooms
II neat and bright wherever they We're;
I she scwcd on her fathers buttons; she
! mendcd Mortimer's gloves in secret, shy
/ delight; She got up delicious little lunches
for the two men, and took a hand at
cards with them, or made one Of their
Jolly iish.ng or mountain parties.
SO year passed until Cecil was nine
teen, then a mortal illness overlook
4 Lewis Craven, and dragged him down
10 his death. The merfy. careless life
lof Bohomiani,m was ended, and what
lwould become Of Cecil -poorl little Cecil,
lwhose sole relative was the diving father
Iwho had saved not penny for the Girl?
tSomething like this burst in an aronisrd
bnoan from Craven lips as hc felt the
bcy hand Of death close about his heart.
For moment Mortimer thought rap
'btdly. He had cherished a strong and
b BENDER friendshipfor Crayen-the friend
n Ship Of man. who despite his elegant.
"a tarc-free existence, was ready To lay
g<own that existence for his friend, if
heed be. Cecil was 4 dear little thing r
would make quiet wife. He had not
bought of marrying, yet he would mar
~ Cecil for her fathers sake.
- "She shal. be ny wife, if she will have