Middletown transcript., 1883-03-09

for me, was the angry reply and the
next day came little packet of letters
and lock Of golden hair, and Margaret
Britman's romance was hidden out Of
sight forever.
A few years, and Robert Derwent
died, leaving nothing but difficulties
behind him. Miss Britman took a
lodging in distant part Of the city.
and toiled for the child for long, weary
years, late and early, through trials that
would have overwhelmed a less resolute
and devoted woman she toiled on to
give her niece a good education, and
enable her to earn her own bread when
she should be called away. And now
here was someone stepping in-Philip
Ferris returned from California-Philip
Ferris, who had said farewell to her in
anger eighteen years before-the one
love and lover Of her life was coming
to see her next day to ask for the child,
the motherless baby who had so unwit-
tingly separated them eighteen years
before. It certainly was passing
strange.
The next day was gray and gloomy,
fog over head, damp under foot, cold
everywhere, but Dot was in high spirits,
in spite Of the atmosphere.
81 dare say Mr.. Ferris will be
shocked at seeing what hideous house
and street we live in, auntie. | can
imagine him saying, What distinctly
dreadful place ? In truth, sha7n7t be
sorry to leave Berry street. Now,
good bye, dear. Be very gracious to
Mr.. Ferris and, oh, auntie darling, 1
do hope you'll like him, because, you
know, we've got to live with him, per-
haps."
Dot, my love, do you really think
you like this gentleman well enough to
marry him ? He's old enough to be
your father.n
$50 he is, auntie, dear but that
don't matter much if he's nice and
kind and ever SO rich-and he is. y
Nice and kind and ever so rich.
That was Dots idea of husband, and
her aunt felt sad and sorry and some
way disappointed she did not know
where the child had got such ideas.
And then came the awful thought of
losing her, for she remembered what
Mr.. Ferris had said about divided
love. She would have but small place
in Dots new home and new life.
Never did a day seem so long to
Miss Britman. She had put on her
best black dress in the morning, and
taken a little extra care with the ar
rangement of her still abundant hair ;
that was all the external preparation
she had made for the visit, but her
heart throbbed wildly at every ring Of
the bell OF step on the stairs. But the
morning passed-3, O'Clock, and she
breathed more freely perhaps he
wouldn't come that day perhaps he
wouldn't come at all. So she went on
more patiently with her pupil, dull,
tiresome child.
"One, two, three, four" she re-
peated over and over again. She did
not hear step on the stair, nor gentle
tap at the door, did not observe it open;
and when she looked up Philip Ferris
stood beside her. For a moment her
brain reeled, and she had to hold on to
the chair back to steady herself. Then
she held out her hand in welcome.
" You may go now, my dear, and
III give you the remainder Of your les
son tomorrow" she said gently and
the child wriggled off the stool and de-
parted joyfully.
Margaret p That was all he said
when they were alone, with one hand
holding one of hers, and the other on
her shoulder. Margaret -
"You have come to speak to me
about-about Dorothy" she faltered,
feeling all the color forsake her face.
"No; have come to speak about
myself and you-to ask you to forgive
me, if you can ; to ask you to let me
make atonement for my cruelty and
folly; to ask you if it is too late for US
to be happy even now. Dear, learned
only yesterday how true and loyal you
had been l fancied 1 alone was faith
full. Can you, will you forgive me,
Margaret ?''
"There isnothing to forgive, Philip. "
''Then it is not too late. We may
be happy STILL"
But Dorothy ?" Miss Britman said,
family.
Dorothy knows. It was her re-
semblance to you that first attracted
me. But the child must not come be-
tween us and our happiness a second
time. and we will both take care of her.
[ think she will be better pleased to
have me for an uncle than husband. y
"But, Philip, she thought"
eyes, dear, but now she under
stands. Margaret, you belong to me,
and you must be obedient SO prepare
to leave Berry street tomorrow"
But my pupils, Philip ?''
"Dear, will arrange all that. My
brave, patient Maggie, you have given
your last lesson"
ONCE IN A THOUSAND YEARS.
e Father began Cass avenue lad
the other night, sis Mr.. 7. good
man ?'' eyes, my son. 1 regard hin
as one Of the best men in Michigan. =
"Do you believe he would lie p
What, young man, are you crazy p
Why, sir, Mr.. 7. would not tell liz
for all the gold on earth. What makes
you ask that question ~ Why, wher
man says he saw spring robin on the
fifteenth day Of February what do you
ooII - o., g hid he say he saw one p