Daily Republican., 1884-05-16

that expressed 30 eloQuently her ap-
lpreciation of the young landlords
kindness, did not detrsot any
from his happiness.
Later. Mrs, Alcott called on their new
tenants, ostensibly to learn II they
felt quite at home in the city, really
to 500 what there was about tho family J to
80 much interest her son and before
she came away, Myrtle had won her
heart by her sweet, wOmanly y ways,
In . delicate manner she learned that
they were financially crippled, and that
they were unable to procure sufficient
work to occupy their time then Mrs.
! Alcott offered to use her influence to 80
cure work for them, among her friends.
and it was not long before they had
enough to do. They toiled early and
late, but earning ones living by plain
sewing, since sewing.machines nave
cheapsnsd prices, is slow and weari-
some way and toll as they would, they
could scarcely pay their bills.
Mrs. Irwin said nothing TO Myrtle of
her OWN failing health, but one day
when the young girl returned from a
long walk, which had been taken to de.
liver some finished work, she found her
| mother lying unconscious upon the sit
ting-room floor.
Myrtle was obliged to call in aid, but
although Mrs. Irwin recovered con
sciousness, her strength never rallied,
for she had stitched into her work her
last vital energy. A few days she lin
Qered, and Tom came home In time to
receive her blessing, In time to promise
TO be friend Myrtle and be to her a
brother then she passed to that land
from whence weariness is banished, ia
the blessed rest that Is promised to the
sons and daughters of toll, and Myrtle
Leslie was motherless and alone.
Tom was obliged to hurry back to
college, and he suggested all sorts OF
impracticable plans for Myrtle's future
plans which were characterized by in
tention most kind, but lacking in it,
ness.
Then Mrs. Alcott proposed that the
orphan girl should become a member
of her own family, until more def
mite arrangement, and Myrtle CRATE
fully accepted her kind offer.
A few days later Mrs. Alcott met
with a severe injury that confined hel
to her room then Myrtles work SEEM
ed mapped out before her, and she con
stituted herself q nurse, and never die
an ipval lid have more efficient care.
That Myrtle was almost crushed by
her mothers death was but natural,
but there was no time to give NJ
to grief. She must still live
how, and where, were questions tina
she resolved over and over, as she min
istered to the sufferer, and her pale fac
took on b wisful look, that was pa
Ithetic in one 40 young.
| As Mrs. Alcott grew more com forta
bls, Myrtle read TO her, and Fred, VIII
managed 70 get into his mothers room
} unnecessarily often, the young reade
: thought, was very good listener. II
was doing very unwise thing, too, TO
, he was losing his heart to this girl, VIII
was his mothers nurse and companion
He firmly believed that between he
! aud his cousin there existed an engage
ment 30, when Tom came down on
r night to see how Myrtle was gettin
along, and was having a chat with he
in theparlor. Fred paced upa and dow
, the long piaz zza, as jealous and uncom
fOrtable a fellow as can we'll be imagln
cd.
The time seemed interminable, an(
30 absorbed was he in his own retiec
lions, that Tom Irwiu spoke twice be
: fore he got an answer.
, Then Fred tried 10 speak inditfer
! emily, though his voice was husky a
he asked:
"When is it to be, old fellow?"
"What do you mean?" and Tou
t linked his arm in Fred's and loOke'
r puzzled, as he eyed him keenly.
why, your wedding, to be sure
shal offer my congratulations"
Really" Tom said, and there was
merry twinkle in his eyes, " hav
not yet found her; time enough for tina
, when my college course is over"
81 thought Myrtle was" and Fre
> Alcot stopped confusedly, without tin
!, ishing the indefinite remark.
. "Sister Myrtle? Oh, Fred The yer.
best little girl in the world, but mel
: don't marry their sisters" "
She's not your sister," Fred retort
} ed, somewhat sharply.
, "No, suppose not" Tom answered
ret1ectively. -" still she seems like one
3 and always will 60 shake hands, Fred
I'm not in the way, and l understand
you far better than you do yourself.
r "Success to you. am going to TAX
r the late express, 50 goodbye" and Ton
Irwin fastened in for his light over
; coat, for it was an autumn night, CAV
Mrytle a brotherly kiss, and was gone
while she leaned her head upon th
r corner of tho mantel and thought sadl,
t Of her future
r Then all at once she was cOnsciou
. that some one stood beside her, and sli
. looked up to meet Fred Alcott's eye
= fixed up IN her face in q gaze 80 intens
Q that it thrilled her heart with emotion
I but what were the precise words tha
r he used to express his feelings | canno
Y tell you; ; however, they must have EN-
: bodied the sentiments of u very oil
D story, TOR while Myrtle Leslie listene
5 her cheeks took on the bright t!nts Q
!, dalnask roses, and her answer, thoug
Z low, must have been comforting, a.
exercised forever the demon Ut Jealous
. that had been raging in Fred Alcott'
r bosom, and when he bent to give hi
mother goodnight kiss and told he
! that Myrtle had promised to be hi
, wife, Mrs. Aloott gave uttersnce to
sincere and devout expression OF thank