Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1884-02-09
m.ndsd. It was not merely economy, but

suit, IL was reFoltlnS W lin W
his wife conducting his household upon
psrsimonious principles, refusing TO De-
stow of his abundance in charity, dressing
meanly, and perhaps influencing MIN TO
the same misery habits. And yet, one
hour with Ellen drove away all such
thoughts.
The low, soft voice, always tinged by
her habitual sadness, conveyed such
mirror of pure, tender heart, cultivated
mind, noble soul, that Walter forgot the
coarse, mean dress, the many stories rife IN
the factory of Ellen's stinginess, and knew
| he loved her as he had never before loved
any woman.
! But when the silver tankard was pre-
scented to Mr.. Rodman, and Ellen's name
was not upon the list of contributors to the
| gift, Walter experienced sharp pang OF
| disappointment. He knew that his faith
er's recommendation had gained Ellen her
place in the factory, and that she had
| found a firm friend in him, and owed her
| rapid advancement to his Interest and IN
| tiuence.
! And yet she had refused her mite to the
gift that testified the good feeling of the
fellow. workers in the factory
| Father and son had long been contiden-
tial friends; and on the evening following
the presentation the latter opened his heart
and told ali his doubts and fears. Mr..
Rodman listened quietly.
d" Yet you love Ellen p he said.
81 love her" replied Walter, but l
could never be happy with a misery
wife"
Poor Ellen, how lit lie she deserves
that reproach p said Mr.. Rodman. Il
shall violate a confidence reposed in me,
Walter. when 1 fell you how you misjudge
her, but think can trust you"
Has she told you a secret ?"
"No; l heard the story from the cler.
gyman of Lenwood, her native village,
who wrote to me before she came here. He
is an cid friend of mine, and knew he
could confie in me. Six years ago Ellens
mother died, leaving in her care sickly
step brother, then about | years old. Her
own father had left Ellen pretty cottage,
and she had a small income from the fruit
and poultry on the place, while she made
a sufficient living by teaching music and
playing the organ in the church. When
her mother died leaving Stephen Grady,
her step brother, an orphan and penniless
for her step father before his death squan-
dered all her mothers fortune), E len
promised to care for the boy. Remember,
she was but IT, though early care had ma
tured her far beyond her actual years.
The boy grew up like his father, reck-
less Of expenditure. loose in principle, yet
tender to his sister mother, and one of
those loving scrapegraces who always win
some good woman's devotion. He won
Elens. She thought herself bound by
her promise to her mother to make every
sacrifice for Stephen, and she faithfully
tried to lead him away from the compan-
ions and evil influences that were running
his life. Three years ago friend OF Mrs.
Gradys took Stephen into his counting
house. Here he was to learn book-keep.
ing, and for a time he worked steadily.
Then the bad company that had ruined his
bOyhOod again exerted an evil influence,
and he learned to gamble.
Zone of his accomplishments was the
power to initiate any handwriting, and by
the persuasion of some elder heads he
forged check of 3, 900 from the firm he
was with. The check passed the bank IN
detected, for the cashier was in the habit
of paying over large sums to Grady. But
when it was returned to the firm the forg-
cry was discovered and traced to Stephen.
Then the truth came out that be had
gambled away the entire amount, and the
two men who had urged the crime and
pocketed the money had fled, leaving the
lad to bear the consequences. he was ar.
rested, and repentance came when he saw
the full consequences of his acts.
1T was then that Ellen proved herself
the noble woman [ believe her to be. She
was suffering already for her brothers
and most of her music pupils having left
her Despite all this, she went TO the firm
and pleaded for the lad. Her eloquence
gained him something. They agreed not
TO prosecute, but to allow the boy to leave
the town and 90 to an uncle who was will
ing to give him another trial in a western
city, if Ellen would pay the 3, 900 and in
terest within two years.
1" She undertook the tack. Stephen was
released and sent to his fathers brother,
where he is doing well, and Ellen left her
home and came here, hoping for higher
wages than she could earn in her own
town. l, knowing all, advanced her inter.
est in every way. Month after month, de-
nyino herself everything but the bares5
necesssries of life, she has sent her earn.
ings to wipe off her brothers debt. With
bNe TeuJ OF JuG uOusG auu HuEI su6 caves
here she has paid it all, the last INSTALL
ment being acknowledged in letter |
handed to her yesterday. You can under
stand why she could not take even
a few dollars to subscribe for a present
to me when 1 tell you the two years ex.
pred on thu very day when the last hun
bred dollars was received. Now, Walter,
you know Eilen's secret. Judge for your
self if she is a miser."
"She is as noble and self-saorifcing as
my heart al Eays told me she was, IN spite
of appearance ~ said Walter warmly.
Tomorrow will see if she can ever re-
turn my love"
Not tomorrow, said Mr.. RodmSn.
" len went home this afternoon, her task
finished. Out of the sum l paid for the
last week Of her toll here, she begged my
acceptance of the copy Of LongfelIow upon
the table beside you, asking me to believe
she was grateful for all my kindness to
her. Let her rest little from her long
strain Of self.sacritice and toll, Walter
and then, II you can win her love, l will
gladly give her a daughters place in my
heart
Winter had come and gone, and spring
sunshine was making all nature glad,
when one CHEEKY morning the tram through
Lsnwood left a single passenger at the will
age station. He was tall, handsome man,
dressed we'll without foppishness, and he
inquired of a man at the station for the
residence of Miss Churchill.
"The first white cottage as you turn the
second street from here, was the reply 1t
was soon found, and at the gate the trav.
eler halted. The windows, Swallowed by
wide verandah, were open, aud he could
see the tasteful parlor. Near the window
stood a handsome woman, trailing vine
over network Of string Her face was
partly averted but the stranger could see
that all the pallor and sadness of the past
were gone.
Upon the graceful figure was dress OF
ieecy muslin. tastefully made, and trim
med with soft lace ruities at throat and
wrist, and a few well CHOSEN ornaments
suddenly some inner sense seemed t. tel
Ellen she was watched. She turned, and
saw Walter Rodmsn looking earnestly,
wistfully at her. a quick flush swept
across T cheek, and her eyes lighted
gladly as she came forward to meet him.
May I come in?' he asked, opening the
little gate.
Il am very glad to welcome you, she
answered, and then extended her hands as