The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1883-01-26


d my reader with the why and wherefore
e of my heart blending in allegiance tc
C Lillian Graham's charms. Her beauty
gentleness and winning grace touched
n my heart as no woman had ever before
thrilled it, and before that weary week
> of anxiety and watching was over /
loved her. AS her uncle began to re-
cover, my visits slid from professional
e capacity to social one, and saw that
my welcome was a sincere one from
both the old gentleman and the fair
Q girl, whose devotion to his sick bed
proved her love- was agreeably sur
, prlsed to find the hermit neither so say
age or inaccessible as he had been re-
presented to me. He had a painful
, chronic disorder, his manner was brus
que, and his voice often harsh, but he
could soften, and l was able to give
him relief from pain, for which he re-
paid me by gracious reception
, Christmas was drawing near, and I
had resolved to lay my heart before
Lillian, and ask her to be my wife. l
was heir to considerable property left
by my father. had a good practice,
a pleasant home, and could offer her
the pure love of young heart, so l
was not without hope, especially as l
could see the flush deepen on her cheek,
and glad light spring to her blue eyes
whenever l was announced She wore
mourning, and | often longed to ques
ton her about the loss it implied, but
our private interviews were very brief,
and but seldom occurred, and she never
spoke OF her sorrow. /, too; had a
story to tell. or course, if she became
my wife, she must hear about Trot.
1t was the day before Christmas, and
the snow was smooth and hard round
Hopedale, so l ventured to propose a
sleigh ride, meaning to open my heart
to her as we drove. She accepted my
proposal readily, and we were soon on
our way Somehow there fell a long
silence between us; longing but not
daring to speak, my eyes fixed upon
that lovely face framed in its pretty
fur-bound hood, the eyes looking down,
the sweet mouth set with a sadder ex-
preston than / had ever seen it wear.
Suddenly she spoke:
VI expect my parents, brothers and
sisters here tomorrow"
"For Christmas gaieties ?" l ques.
toned.
"No, to escape them. They are com
ing here to pass the day quietly, far
away from any festivity 1t is sad
day for us. Doctor, do you believe in
a broken heart p
eyes, know they exist"
"And are fatal 7"
Sometimes have seen heavy sor-
row drain away life !"
"My poor sister," she said, sadl,, her
eyes filing with tears, II fear her heart
is broken And after pause she said:
Trot"
"Trot!' cried, breathlessly.
"My sisters only child, who died on
Christmas day last year.
"Died?' said, my hopes sinking.
Burnt to deathl' she said, sadly. |
"We had Christmas tree for the chill |
dren in the nursery. My sister had |
been widow only three months, so we
had no holiday gathering, but we
dressed tree for the little ones and !
lighted it on Christmas Eve. The next
morning they, the children we mean,
were all in the nursery, and we suppose |
one OF them tried to light the tree.
Certain it is that they set the room on
fire, and before we could save anything
the whole house was in flames All |
escaped but my sisters child, her only |
one; he perished in the fire."
care you certain ?"
"Where else could he be? Ny two
little brothers and sisters were saved |
with difficulty, and the roof fell in
while we were all franlically searching
| and calling for Arthur, or, as we always |
called him Trot. My sisters health |
gave way entirely under this blow. She |
had concentrated all the strength of her
love upon this child after her husband |
died, and the loss prostrated her utterly. |
We took her to Europe we have all |
had the best advice for her, but she is |
slowly dying of broken heart"
1T is from no impertinent curiosity" |
l said, "that question you. Will you
answer my inquiries ?"
We were speeding over the frozen |
ground toward my home,as she answer
ed
Certainly"
"Thls little child-had he pet name
for you?"
.Yes; my home name. They all
call me Daisy, and he called me aunt
Daisy?'
"And your sisters names are Mary
and Sue; your brothers Walter and
Baby ?"
"Yes, yes" she said turning very
pale.
"And Trot's nurse, Ellen, did she 90
to Australia T.
"Yes, year ago last fall. Your
face is RADIANT Speak quickly-our
lost boy!'
We were at my door; her face was
ashy white with emotion, but she obey
ed my motion, and let me lead her from
the sleigh to my office. | made her sit
down, and began to explain, when
"Uncle Charlie!" rang out from nv
pets voice, and Trot burst into the
| 'oo'i' iHiaH iosc W IltT IeeU Wlln
wild cry of "Trot Arthur! darling o.
For moment he stood bewidered
then sudden rush came over the child.
ish heart and he sprang into her arms.
"Aunt Daisy Where's mamma? |
want mamma Quick! quick Uncle
Charlie, Aunt Daisy, take me to mann
ma !"
For nearly three hours we sat ia the
little office before Lillian could tear her
self away from the child, but at last
she let me take her to the sleigh, con.
sollng Trot bya promise that tomorrow
he should see mother
| l left the disclosure to her womanly
tact. But, on the morrow, when /
drove over with the child dressed in
his black velvet suit, altered to fit him
by Mrs. Watson's trembling fingers,
and moistened | am sure by many
tears, | found all prepared for the great
|