The Osceola times., 1882-12-02

of God, swear that, so long rs ! retain
these flowers, will not touch drop of
liquor. III keep them and my pledge
for one year, may claim you then for
mine ?''
"You may. Be true to yourself, and !
will be true 10 you"
At that moment the bell rang. "Go
into the sitting room, Fred" said Maze,
"and ! will Join you in a moment |
wish 10 90 90 the door myself. lis Char
! lev; he was 10 call on his way home. If
wear his flowers | am his; if not, all
is at an end'between us. Can you trust
me ??
In few moments Maze rejoined Fred
/ in the sitting room, where we will leave
them for time, that Maze may tell him
of the battle she had fought early in the
evening.
Though Maze called the Judge and
Mrs. Raynor uncle and aunt, there was
in reality no relationship existing be-
tween them.
When she was scarcely years old her
parents died, and, by some mismanage-
ment, during the last year of his life her
father lost his fortune. Judge Rainor
had always been his firm friend, and
when, upon his death bed, he asked him
to take her and care for her as his own,
for the sake of the friendship that had al
ways existed between them, he readily
consented.
"God will reward you" said the dying
man.
Il ask no reward, Cranston. / will do
it for the love | bear YOU. | will be
father to her"
Il cannot speak my thanks, but mark
my words, God will reward you"
That was fifteen years ago.
He hrd often thought of the dying
mans prophecy, and considered it full
filled, for Maze had always been faithful
frequently he was heard to say that if
Fred his only son, were half so dutiful,
his cup would be full to overflowing.
But of late Fred hai been leading SO
wild life they feared he would not only
bring disgrace upon them, but would be
soon lost to them forever. His mother
grew thin and pale with grief, and there
was a cloud of gloom lowering over them
that only Fred could dispel.
w Htu .huLt HtdTu ltT ullClt anu aunt
coming she bade Fred 90 to his room for
the night without seeing them, but TO be
sure to meet them the next morning at
breakfast. After kissing her, he obeyed,
with joyful heart
A few pleasant words having passed
between Mrs. Rainor and Maze in regard
to the evening each had spent, the latter
prepared to go to her room.
Don't hurry, my daughter" said Mrs.
Rainor. You are so radisntly beautiful
tonight that cheers me to look at you.
Are you happy?'
YES indeed, auntie, and you and I'M
Gle will be, too, in the morning. | am
going to have company to breakfast, and
| want you TO get good nights rest, so
you will be ready to receive ny guest.
You can never guess who it is, and |
won't tell you, SO goodnight" and be-
slowing a kiss upon each, the beautiful
girl left them.
Bright and early the next morning
Maze was fitting back and forth from
dining room to kitchen, and from kitch-
en- to dining room, giving hei orders for
breakfast, the servants all the while eye
ing her in perfect amazement, for such a
thing had never been heard of before.
81 am going to have some friends to
breakfast" she explained, "and | want
things arranged according to my own
taste. | will also wait upon the table
myself"
Fred was the first to respond to the
bell As the Judge and his wife enter
ed he approached them.
mother, father" he said, taking hand
of each, Through the influence of that
dear little woman" bowling his head to
Maze, 81 am resolved to lead better
life: Will you take me back to your
hearts as of yore?"
Too happy to speak, his mother laid
her head upon his breast and wept. His
father walked around the table to where
Maze was standing, and, taking her in
his arms said God has, indeed rewar-
ded me-"
Long years have passed since then,
but as Maze sits in the midst of her
grandchildren, telling them of their
grandfather's pledge, she is more beaut-
full than ever. A tear elistens in Grand
pa Ere rs eyes rs he produces bunch
of faded flowers; and the children, guess
ing at the tender memories they call
forth, leave them alone to i've again the
happy hours of their youth, with the fix
ed purpose of doing some great good, as
Grandma did.