The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1883-06-15
SELECT STORY.
A PEAOEMAKER.

Old Jasper Trently sat alone in his
library one chilly October evening.
In fact, he was generally alone, as his
solitary life, though of his own choos-
ing, was fast changing him into a
gloomy, morose man.
All around him were evidences of
wealth; velvet carpets, silken draper
les statuary and rare paintings, and a
library of well-bound volumes, worth
of themselves small fortune; but
there was an aching void in his crusty,
old heart, that even these things failed
to fill.
Over the mantle hung portrait, a
handsome, boyish face with frank, blue
eyes and a sensitive, smiling mouth.
The poise of the head betokened pride
and self-will, and the square chin
looked very resolutt, but the eyes
were kind and true, and these lent a
| charm to the whole countenance.
Old Jasper looked up at the hand
some, smiling face and sighed. He
would have the portrait hung there
where he could see it every day, even
though its original was banished from
his sight forever.
And sometimes, when he felt the
resentment dying out of his heart and
his pride giving way to kinder feelings
he would turn away from the picturE
lest in his softer mood, the tender lib:
and pleading eyes make him yield the
| forgiveness for which the man was toe
proud to ask.
"a young lady, sir, announced tn,
butler at the door, and the old mar
started from his reverie. Calls were
not frequent at Trently Manor
"1'll see her here he said, shortly.
She came in timidly, small, slender
girl with pretty, oval face, and dark
wistful eyes Jasper Trently glanced
her over with look of approval anG
motioned her to seat.
"Hour face looks familiar he said
yet | do not recollect having seer
you before"
81 am IIilda Vinton," she answered
"Percy Ninton's daughter"
| The old man started from his seat.
"Percy Vinton's daughter" he ex
claimed. SIS it possible? ? Well, yes
you have your fathers features. Wha
brings you here ?"
His manner was not unkind, thougl
| he spoke so brusquely,
Il have been an orphan for year.
! llilda said, and her voice quivered
"They both died in France, and | wa
thrown on my own resources. Fathe
never found the fortune he was ex
pecting, you know.
"No, though we both started tc
gether in life. He was dreamy mar
never meant for real work, though
remember his wild talk about tn
wealth he would have one day. Poo
fellow SO hes dead ;"
| He stared ut the glowing Goals wit
dreamy eyes, and shook his bald hea
sadly, Then his mood changed, an,
he leaned forward in his chair wit
flushing face.
Il tried to keep him steady h
said, excitedly, "but it was no use
He was like rolling stone, here
there, and all over, and precious littl
moss he ever gathered. When h
planned that foolish expedition t
Europe | was thoroughly vexed wit
him, but when he married a prett
French singer the first year without
cent to live on | washed my hands c
him altogether"
"She was good wife, Hilda sale
gently, Then, when the old mans e>
citement had subsided, she continued
"Father mentioned the quarrel, bu
before he died he told me what staunc
friends You used to be, and though h
hadn't heard from you for years, h
had kept track of You and gave m
your address He told me if | wa
ever in trouble to come to you, and b
was sure you would help me. di
my best for awhile, but | was poo
and unknown, and everything wen
wrong, so l made up my mind TO tax
fathers advice, and"
"And here you are, interrupte
Jasper Trently. "Poor Percy Wei
he was good fellow, after all, thoug
no man for business.
| II have been well educated, sal
| Illilda, "and thought, with your il
iluenCe, might secure a good positio
as goyerness. | am willing to wor
| hard, sir"
| Jasper Trently surveyed her wit
kindly favor He admired her spiri
and her face, so like her fathers d,
lspite its foreign eyes and complexion
awakened the dormant affection for HI
old friend,
| The little ormulu clock chimed ten.
| "Well talk it over tomorrow. YO
| look tired, and doubtless need rest
| he said, and rang for the housekeel
er,
They met again early the ne,
morning The old man told Hilda h
purpose at once,
| 81 need some one here; the place
lonely, II you will stay, | will rem
nerate you wcll,' he said.
His first thought had been to off,
her home there without duties
compensation, but he thought that 81
was too proud to accept a dependel