Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1883-04-19
And Mrs. Durell led the guest smil-

ingly to her room.
MY darling" said she, 81 want you
to be very happy here. For you are
filling place in our hearts that
has long been vacant-my daughters
place"
But Mrs. Sigismund Durell?" sug-
gested the stranger, coloring deeply.
The old lady made Il gesture Of
dissent
81 can never love herr she uttered.
sadly.
"But me you will be kind to mef"
MY dear jamie, you are like my
own child already p lovingly spoke the
old lady.
And Mrs. Durcll never suspected the
rain Of bitter tears which poor Octayia
shed when she was at last left alone.
But | will make them love mew
she thought; "and when once their
affection is thoroughly mine, will not
let them withdraw it from me, merely
because am Octayia Durcll instead Of
jamie Weldon
And this beautiful young impostor
had not been week in the house
before she had won all hearts. She was
grandma's darling. Eudora's conldant,
the pet and sunshine of the house.
And oh, how her heart beat when Mrs.
Durcll looked at her tcndcrly one even
ing. and said, with kiss:
Dear little jamie, was thinking
how many thousand dollars | would
give If SigismunIs wife were like
you"
Octayia turned first red, then
white.
Mrs. Durcll," she said. hurricdly
III l were Sigismund's wife ."
And just then a bcyy Of guests were
shown in. And the words Of confcs
sion were checked on Octayia's lips.
But the secret betrayed itself at last,
IS secrets will always do.
II was a rosy December sunset, the
snowy fields all dyed with carminc the
huge Hire of messy logs cracking in
the tiled fireplace OF Durcll court.
The old lady WAS scroncly doing in the
blaze. and Eulara was helping her
guest 10 arrange roses, fresh gathered
from the greenhouse, in antique ma
jolica vases, when the door suddenly
opened, and a tail. wclI-molded figure
strobe in.
well mother Well, Eudma-'
The old lady started up with n cry.
Eudpra looked with dilatcd. wondering
eyes; but first and swiftcst Of them
all OctaILa was in her husbands
arms.
"sigismund" she cried, Historically,
"oh. ~igismuud"'
Old Mrs. Durell recovered herself
with an effort, and looked on in amaze
mcnt
"sigismund," said she II rGn not
know that this lady"
This lady, mother It dsncrcd,
brightly. "is the sweetest and dearest
little lady in al the world to me my
wife,
And Uctayra Rio urr race ;. ncr
mothor-in-law' sho".icr.
Dear Mrs. Durcll," she whispered.
forgive me for stealing your heart 10y
strategy, FOR. indeed. | dcspaircd OF
ever winning it in any other way
jamie Weldon told me that | might
borrow her personality. She. too, IS
coming after New Yeas, and"
"l'm sure" said Mrs. Durcll. ncr-
yously wiping her spectacle glasses.
81 don't know what to say"
say 4 forgiycI you, said Octavia;
and say also, I love you, daughter"
81 love you. dear little daughter"
said the old lady, faltcringly. "And as
for forgiying why. am not certain
but that | need forgiveness the most
of all"
While little Eudora clunR closely to
the young wifes side.
Il don't care whether you are my
stcpmother or not" she said. 81 love
You, and shall alwaya call you nam.
ma. now"
And then enc nappy, excitcn htue
group gathered around the fire, and
explanations followed all around.
OCtayia had TO recount for her the lit
tie plot, so often nearly betrayed by the
fullness of her own heart. Sigismund
had to relate the combination of cir
cumstances by which he had obtained
n years leave Of absence from his