Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1883-05-10

think they could never again apply t.
her, and yet she had dreamed of happi
ness once.
III.
Society was correct in the prophecy
that the party given by the Van Deck
ems would be the finest affair of the sea
son. 1t was rea ly great success.
Lucky old Van Decken.'
| Fortunate Miss Van Deckenr
Oh, most wise worldl
The news of the lady's engagement tC
Colonel Oliphant confirmed the opinion
TO be sure, he's old enough to be hel
father, and they do say he has fearful
temper; but then he is fine looking, and
belongs to such good family. Besides
he will have money enough for both
And so for once wealth did not form
one of the ingredients in what Mrs. .Gran.
dy considered 'splesdid match
But three months after the splendid
wedding which was consistent with the
splendid match.' came one OF those fear
full crashes on Wall stTeet-so disastrous
as to become historieal-and lucky old
| Van Decken' was thereafter spoken of
without the prefix of the first adjective.
We'll, if he married her for her mon-
ey he has just been come up with; but
| they do say he abuses her shockingly,
and what she endures nobody knows. II
is fortunate her father didn't live to see
it. He just idolized her, and they do say
she married him to please the old man
than for anything else.'
Such was the true, though slightly
ambiguous statement made by Society
four years later; but Colonel Oliphant
had taken to drinking, and, in his swift,
downward career, dragged wife and
child with him out of Society's sight and
mind.
Nv.
Mrs. Oliphant, did you say?'
Yes, sri; a widow with one child-a
boy two or three years Old
She wants lease for twelve months,
you say, and intends to advertise for
boarders 2
so she stated. She came to the office
yesterday, ,and seemed disappointed when
I told her the owner had conclu-
ded to withdraw it from our agency, and
occupy it himself. 1t suited her, she
said, better tnan any other on our list,
and promised to speak to you about it.
You mentioned my name?'
Il did not. l told her that possibly
you would be. in the Office this afternoon,
and-there she is now,' and the clerk
advanced to meet her.
A tall, slender figure, clad in heavy
mourning robes, with Grape vail laid
back from An almost death-like face, ,and
snowy hair-that was what Russell
Dayton saw.
The gentleman | spoke of has just
come in,' the clerk was saying. This
way, if you please, madam
And, in another mament, she was in
troduced to her fathers former associ-
ate, Russell Dayton.
II was shock to both, but the lady
was the first to speak, and without en-
barrassment.
Il have never heard from you since
you left the city, Mr.. Dayton. My father
often spoke of you during his last days.
Is it long since your return?'
L was away from New York but a
short time. My mother died Suddenly,
and | have found in an absorbed busi-
ness life the only relief possible for
what was to me an unspeakable loss.
Forgive me for my selfish alluslon. The |
years bring sorrows. You baVe not been |
without your poItion.'
You would hardly have known me, |
| think, and she smiled family AS she |
touched her hair; and yet this is the
work of five years only. Does it not |
seem longer than that since | saw you
in my fathers housep But | must not |
speak of those old days she added, hur-
riedly; i have nothing left to remind
me of them now
'Nothing?' lie questioned; then am
more fortunate than you. With your
permission will send you a package, d
very little one, which you may return
20 me if it does not nrove acceptable In
Ease you should car to keep it, hOwev-
'r, will only ask The privilege of call \
ng upon you.'
She flushed slightly. She had not al
'ogether lost sight of the past. and its
contrast to the present. Then she gave
lin her address without hesitation.
Il am glad to find that you are the
'wner of the house l am so anxious to
ecure for the coming year. Have you
lecided to let me have it, Mr.. Dayton?'
Il hear that it is your intention to take
Mrs. Oliphant. II | thought
'Ou would count me as one of them
hOuld be inclined to oblige you in the
natten L had thought of keeping the
Whole of it to myself for bachelors
all. Will it incommode you very much
do not decide vntil tomorrow
Not at all, as feel almost sure you
will let me have it, Mr.. Dayton, and |
hall be G lad to see you when you come.
But the little package came first, early I
be next morning-a tiny box, holding a I
ong dead rosebud, and a slip of paper |
n which was written in hand she had I
nee known 80 well: My very best t
FISHES for one of my best friends, and l
nderneath her own name and the date, G
January 10, 1857 G
1t was such a beggarly little gift. to t
e kept all these long years. she said to a
i'm few days later, when clasped in
is strong arms, she smiled up at him q
rom her happy resting place.
1T was much tome he replied, it was |
Il dared ask for them c
And all dared to offer, though the ]
hole heart was yours then as truly as a
is now
Il think you may have the house, Lou /
"a, he said demurely, as he left her at Il
le door. 4 see you have forgotten to u
sk about 1t, and the only condition .
i'll name is that you will share 1t with Ia
le.' And as the condition was not Q
ard one, there could be no objection u
ads. =