The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1883-10-04


lifting the shy downcast face, he gazeo
earnestly ut her.
AS he did SO sudden startled look
came into his eyes, and he drew the
child closer to him
''How lke!' heard him murmer,
and involuntarily his eyes settled on the
talr pictured face of young girl smil-
ing from the dark oaken wall.
i saw the same resemblance which
had struck him, and no longer wonder
ed that the child's face had seemed
familiar to me,
1t was q babyish likeness of my cous-
in, the only child of my uncle, who,
five years before, when | was very
young. had married without her fathers
consent, gone from him into strange
country, and has never been heard of
since.
Who are your he said in q strange
husky voice. What is your name?"
"Auntie's Queen" she murmured
tearfully, shrinking away from the grey
piercing eyes fixed so searchingly upon
her. Then, with sob, Il want-to go
home.n .
There, there, don't cry" uncle said
hastily. ''Take her away, Ned | will
try and find out to whom she belongs"
And picking up her bonnet, he be-
gan clumsily to tie it under her dimpled
chin.
AS he did so fine gold chain, clasped
round her throat, got entangled on his
fingers and came unfastened.
Attached to it was tiny locket, set
with pearls ON one side, and on the 9th
er the initials 81 G.
Perhaps this will help us to find her
friends" and opening it, uncle gave
low cry of mingled joy and surprise.
Glaneing at the open locket, saw
dark handsome man, and fair girlish
face smiling at me- -..
t1t is Cousin Lily" l cried impul-
sively, and that"
''Isi her husband, Philip Grantly,"
uncle said in joyful accents. "At last |
have found tokens of my darling, and
this, feel sure. is her child;" and draw
ing the little girl into his arms, he kissed
her passionately.
"Where is your mother, dearP'
A sad look stole into the clear blue
eyes, and she gazed reverently upward.
"Mammas in heaven" she said soft
ly, land papa toe"
For moment the grey head rested
on the golden one; it was a disappoint-
ment, when he had thought he had
found his child, to hear she was dead
Ere the day was over, uncle had
found out the people with whom his
gr<ndchild was staying; a kind, good
natured couple, who had taken her
parents place, loving Lily almost as
much as their own child, a bonny boy
of two.
What they told uncle confirmed,
without any doubt. his suspicious, and
although they felt sorry at parting with
the little girl, they could not but give
her up to the care of her grandfather.
her only relative.
At first Id fretted very much at los
ing her ''auntie, as she still insisted on
calling her, but she soon grew to love
the grey-haired man who was SO tender
and devoted to her. .......
As for me, l was delighted ut the re-
suit of my discovery of the child
The happiest days of my life are those
/ spend at the Manor, now brightened
by the presence of a golden-haired fairy,
and she returns my boyish alterations
with tender love.
The pretty name of "Queenio" still
clings to her.now the only relic of those
past days, though to my uncle she is
always Lily" and ia her happy inno-
cent childhood he lives, over and over
again the time when her mother was his
hearts darling, before she bade fare
well to the guardian of her youth, never
more to meet until the day when all are
gathered at the great white gates of
Paradise. ,..