The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1882-07-19


her shell-like ears, and the slende
; waist was tied around with a pinl
, ribbon.
/. There, Walter, isn't that pretty?'
, she asked, holding up her completed
: bouquet.
Very pretty" he answered, look.
ing not at the roses and geraniums
but directly at the blue eyes and
golden curls OF his beautiful young
wife.
"You are not even noticing it,
: she said.
Because l see something so much
better worth looking at, he said
playfully.
do you really love me so very
much?" she asked, throwing down
the flowers and coming TO his side.
He rose and drew her carelessly
toward him.
She let her head rest for moment
on his shoulder, and when she rails
ed it there was tear on one of her
eye lashes.
! "Oh, Walter, if mamma could only
see how happy We are"
i There was a knock at the door
Mrs. Everleigh slipped from her
husbands arm and was very busy
with her flowers when the rich law
yer's right hand man" put his griz-
| led head into the room.
The old man wants to see YOU
about that Fairweather business"
"Show him in. Don't look 50 dis
appointed, love-" he said, as the
grizzled head disappeared. Il shall
not be detained three minutes, and
the horses are at the door"
Mary Everleigh never troubled
her little head about business mat
tiers, SO she never looked up as the
halting sound of old Mr.. Raynes-
ford's crutch echoed on the carpet.
But the moment he spoke she start
ed as if an adder had stung her, and
her slender hands clasped together,
listening as intently as though her
life depended on hearing every
word. The old man was pleading
and sorrowful; her husband politely
linhexible. At length job Raynes-
ford turned to 90.
"Well, sir" be 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 turned
oat of the home that has sheltered
him for sixty years, and all for no
fault of MS own. They say you are
a very rich gentleman, sir; that may
seem a very small sum to you, but
it IS my all.
Mrs. Everleigh's soft voice broke
the momentary silence that succeed
ed this appeal.
Walter. come here one minute
| want TO speak to you"
He obeyed somewhat surprised;
she drew him into deep recess Of
stained glass window, and standing
there with the rosy and amber
shadow about her lovely brow, like
some fair pictured saint, she told
him how, twenty wears ago, wea-
ried child and mother were fed and
sheltered by kind hearted 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 that to
do with my business matters"
"Much, Walter. | am that little
child p
You, my dearest?"
II, my husband, and the noble
man who | am persuaded saved my
life that night stands yonder, with
gray hair, bowed head, and sinking
heart"
"Mary, you must surely be mis-
taken"
Il cannot be mistaken, Walter.
| should know him among a thou
sand. You said you loved me this
morning-now grant me one little
boom"
"What is it, dearest?"
''Give me that note he spoke OF. >
Mr.. Everleigh silently went to q
small ebony cabinet, unlocked it,
and drew out folded paper, which
he placed in her hands. She glided
up to the old man, who had been
gazing out of a window in Il sort OF
a reverie, and laid her soft hand on
his arm.
''Do you remember the little gold
en- haired Mary whom you found
with her mother, wearied out, on the
roadside, twenty years ago."
DO | remember her, lady? 1t
was but this very morning was re-
calling the whole scene"
And don't you recognize me??"
she said, smiling up into his face. as
she drew back the dropping curls.
II am little Mary :"
He stood in bewildered silence.
All of sudden the truth seemed to
break upon him, and he laid his
hand upon her head with fearful
blessing.
And your mother, my child2"
"She has been dead for years; but
it is my dearest task to be theinstru-
ment of her gratitude. Here is the
note you Endorsed; 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 flame until it fell
cloud of white ashes upon the floor.
well"
Mrs. Raynesford met her husband
at the door the instant his crutches
sounded on the little graveled path. /
"Why don't you speak? OF course
| know you have nothing but bad
news to tell, but l may as well h ear
it at once. Have you seen the gen.
tleman? What did he say?"
Hannah" said old Job Raynes-
ford, slowly folding up his gloves, (
do you remember the $40 | gave to
that poor young wanderer a score of
years ago to-day?"
"Why, of course | do. Didn't l
remind you OF it not more than
twelve hours ago? What has that
70 Jo with our tro,,bioc rrov2r