Daily Republican., 1883-10-27

en- toward her. She had been 10 young
only sixteen-and love 10 strong pas
sion.
" / began to wish I had not been SO
harsh with her. When 1t got to that
with me came home and tried earnest
Y to find her.
>" But all In vain. l gave 1t up at
last, and for years past have thought OF
her as dead. Only, each evening, for
two weeks past, that singers voice has
called her from the grave.
q Hark there it Is again, so sweet, 30
clear, and singing Claras favorite
song A girl, did you say" Poor
child she sounds quite close at hand.
have mind TO call her in and give
her something for poor, lost Clara's
sake"
The housekeeper had taken him ut
his word. Almost before he knew 1t
the window was flung wide, and the
singer had been summoned to his pre-
sence.
A tall, fair girl, with, wan, white
cheeks, and great dark eyes, and the
singular contrast to them OF golden
hair beautiful girl, without doubt, II
early sorrow had not chilled and cruel
poverty pinched her.
She glanced timidly and shrinkingly
around the room, and bowed with
simple grace to its occupants. Badly
dressed, friendless, poor, mere " street
singer" but lady through 1t all.
| Any one looking at her curiously al
she stood there, would have said
| ltrThara IL n hiutnrv here ~
Mr.. Oakley thought 30.
"What is your name, my child - III
asked, when she WAS seated. Ioul
singing interests me, and l would ale
you, If | could, to use 1t to better ad
vantage. May know your history?
She smiled sadly.
"It is a very ordinary one, sir; quit
of every day. A history of struggling
against sickness, and poverty, ant
despair. ,a,.o. NJ
father was a fine singer and good man
but he made one great error. HI
married for love, and secretly, a rich
mans daughter, who had been hi
pupil, and whose father never forgave
That ruined him.
| Ilc lOsL pdtIOud6o anu PupHoS iOo
heart, lost health, lost everything
Every thing, that is, except my mother
"She set her grief aside Cher grief TO
my cruel grandfather, / mean) and 30
to work to help him.
"She earned money by singing OF
the stage, poor mother and 30 the!
struggled on. -,
II had five little brothe rs, sir, all bu
one of whom have died, 80 you ma.
guess at our griefs and struggles.
"Little Frank is lying sick now ant
that is why l sing for mother has t.
stay and nurse him, and father has ~
poor place-in q school, sir-that w
Iare short of necessaries, even let alon
medicines and wine. can earn tina
much for him at least. -
Mr.. Oakley had risen to his feet
trembling; he came to her and gazet
into her face.
"They are Juan Corelli's eyes," h
) cried, land it is Clara's hair. Oh
child, your name, your name %
"Alfrida Corelli," she answered Il
surprise. "My cruel grandfather
name was Alfred"
He opened wide his arms to her.
~ am that cruel grandfather, my
child. Oh, deserve the name. For
!. give me Alfrida, forgive me.
She came to him, timidly still.
You my grandfather ! :Oh. forgiv
me If my words were unkind you mus
have suffered, too. But we shall all b
happy now. Oh how mother will II
joice."
RI And not her mother only. There wa
nothing but joy in Alfred Oakley
splendid home when the lost one an
her family came back again, Juan an
t all for Clara's husband, like Clara
r self, must be forgiven. And Alfrid
is heiress to-day in the very house sh
3 entered as a poor street singer.