National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1884-12-06


thrown over IL.
Phebo stood looking at his rugged,
benevolent face with an aching heart.
Never had her faithful old protector
seemed so dear to her. She lightly kissed
his forehead, and n hot tear fell upon his
toil-hardened hand rs she bent over him.
She would fain remain with him, but
those cruel words of Miss Crowo's stung
her almost to madness
There was no one to warn the mother
less girl. Yet that night, though her
loving, waywatd heart was Us pure as her
head was ignorant of evil, she stood upon
the very brink Of ruin, ruin worse than
death.
IL was nearly midnight. Tho pretty
hamlet lay sleeping in the shadow of its
protecting woods.
Phobe stepped from hos small chamber
out into the larger space Of the garrett.
She was dressed in her best hat and new
shawl, carrying few things in an old
valise of Daddys.
The moonlight streamed in at the un-
curtained window, falling upon a motley
array OF old chairs, chests, and boxes
upon Aunty Croft's big spinning wheel,
and an array Of tall new brooms stored
away for sale.
To the girls excited fancy they seemed
certain light n,enacing her grimly.
Alb, how close the room was. She could
scarcely breathe. She rushed to the
window and struggled with tho spider
festoonod sash, trying TO force 1t open.
What was this that she stumbled against2
| With sudden lurch, almost like thing
| of life 1t glided from its obscure place in
tho shadow out into tho palo moonlight.
The old cradlel Around IL foil the
silvery beams, lovingly softening its rude
outline, casting q halo about the spot
where Phebe's head had rested in infancy.
IL was roughly made. Daddy Crofts had
followed 1t from log and placed it upon
rockers. His wife had made IL soft and
warm by lining Of cushions stuffed with
her best geese feathers.
The girl stared at il In stupor Of pain.
Her eyes were hot and burning. That
dear cradle She longed to rest her weary
head there again. What tender memories
thronged upon her.
She heard again the song Daddy used
to sing, as when child she would creep
into the old cradle aud close her eyes
while he rocked her. All tho kind acts,
the loving words, the mutual condolences
between them came back to mind.
Now she had secret from him. She
was going to leave tho old man. Down
upon her knees she sank, aud the old
cradle shook with her ponitent sobs.
Oh, forest tree, when the wild winds
tossed your stately branches did you
dream of SO noble fate as this2 Did
you think that cradle fashioned from
your trunk would one day save fair
young life from destruction by its potent
reminder of tho love that tenderly pro-
pared that cradle for the orphaned babe
And you, kind, tender-hearted old man,
while You sleep on unconscious of evil !!
Lo your good deed Of years ago comes
back TO you. 1t was but little thing in
your eyes to hollow out patiently
from tho rough log snug bed for the
little one. And thus each good deed, each
kind word, ever lives to bless the earth
and is powerful to save, though time shall
bid tower and monument crumble to the
dust.
The tall clock in the kitchen strikes 10.
Phebe is still crouched beside the cradle.
Dong! Now it sol smnly strikes l.
Tho man lurking near old Junqua's
hut waits no longer. Phebe creeps back
to her bed. Safe under the home roof
still. When morning came she was very
i'll. 1t was reported in tho village that
Mr.. Snydell had departed during the
night for parts unknown, leaving many
unpaid bills.
He was never seen in Runlet's Grove
again.
Phebe had been worry i'll, but was be-
ginning to improve when one day Harry
Dunraven's arrival in the village was
announced. He had beer in Chicago on
business, and finding himself so near
could not resist the temptation Of calling
on his old frierds. Daddy Crofts was
glad to see him, but more than week
passed before he was permitted to see
Phebe.
II was bright autumnal day. She
sat by the window in large chair, sup.
ported by pillows. Dunravon, looking at
her, thought she had indeed fulfilled the
lovely. She was still weak from tho ner-
vous foyer that had Frustrated her after
that memorable night. She advanced q
few steps toward Harry. He was strong,
manly fellew, with dangerously tender
heart. What more natural than that the
young man should place his arm ronnd
her to conduct her safely back to her
seat. She did not converse much. She
seemed to have gained a new gentle dig
nifty during the past few months-a quiet
manner that commanded not only love,
but respect.
Dunraven was surprised. He had not
dreamed OF finding the child he had petted
four years before changed into this lovely,
pensive being. When Daddy Crofts limo
Gently produced from a box the present
Mr.. Dunrayen had brought Phebe, and
confided to the old mans caro- on his first
arrival, ere he had seen her, the old mis-
chiovous look of fun came for an instant
to her face.
1t was magnificent doll, dressed in The
height of fashion. Phebe would have beer
enraptured at the prospect of possessing
such n treasure four years ago. Now, al
she looked up and saw o blush, half Of
amusement, half of embarrassment, or
Mr.. Dunraven's face, she laughed mer.
rily. He laughed too, and Daddy Crofts
although at a loss to understand the cause
of the young peoples fun, laughed from
sympathy.
Harry fingered on at Runlet's Grove
and whom October nuts dropped in the
woods he asked Phebe to DO his wife.
They were alone together in the little
low-coi led living room. In the gathering
twilight no saw her head droop sorrow.
fully, and look of pain come over the
countenance he had begun to love 80
dearly.
Speak, my darling. Surely you care
for me little. Phobe," he whispered,
81 have told your foster father of my love
for you, and he has given you to me if l
can only win your love-"
All, this was love indeed, honest and
brave, with no secrecy. But she must
not deceive him; no, not even if no
should despise and cast her Off She
you'd tell him all. He listened pa.
tiently, while she told him the story of
( or folly, temptation, and bitter re
pentance. "And now you will no Longer
think me good and innocent" said she
sorrowfully as she finished her recital.
"Why, Phebe. my dearest little girl, the
fact of your telling me all this proves you
to be both. Trust me always and my
love shall not fail you.
She was weary. The painful recita