Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1884-05-01

gambled away the entire amount, and
the two men who had urged the crime
and pocbeted the money had fed.
leaving the lad to bear the conse-
quences. He was arrested, and re-
pentance came when he saw the full
conse quence Of his act. 1t was then
that Ellen proved herself the noble
woman that believed her to be. She
was suffering already for her brothers
crime, having lost her place as organ
ist, and most of her 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 al
low the boy TO leave the town and 90
to an uncle who was willing to give
him another trial in a western city, if
Ellen would pay the 81, QUO and interest
within two years. She undertook the
task. Stephen was released and sent
to his fathers brother, where he is
doing well, and Ellen left her home
end came here, hoping for higher
wages than she could earn in her own
town. |, knowing all, advanced her
interests III every way. Month after
nnenth, denying herself everything
but the barest necessities of life, she
has sent her earnings 10 wipe out
her brothers debt. With the rent of
the house and what she saves here she
has paid it all, the last installment
being acknowledged in a letter |
handed to her yesterday. You can
understand why she could not even
take few dollars to subscribe for a
present to me when | tell you the two
years expired on the very day when
the last hundred dollars was received.
Now, Walter, you know Ellen's
secret. Judge for yourself if she is a
mlser."
She is as noble and .self-sacrifcing
as my heart always told me she was,
IN spite of appearances y said Walter,
warmly. ITO morrow | will see if
she can ever re arm my love"
Not tomorrow, said Mr.. Rod
man.
ELLEN went home this afternoon.
her task finished Out of the sum
paid for the last week of her toll here,
she begged my acceptance of the copy
OF Longfellow 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 sacrifice and toll | will
gladly give her a daughters place in
my heart.
Winter had come and gone, and
spring sunshine was making all ma
ture glad, when one CHEEKY morning
the train through Lemwood let a sin
gle passenger at the village station.
He was a tall, handsome man, dress
ed well, 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 traveller halted The windows
shaded by a wide veranda, were open,
and ne could see the tasteful parlor
Near the window stood a handsome
woman, trailing vine over net
work of stri lg. Her face was partly
averted but the stranger could see
that all the pallOr ana sadness of the
past were gone.
Upon the graceful figure was dress
of hsecy muslin tastefullv made, and
trimmed with soft lace ruflles at throat
and wrist, and a few we'll chosen or
naments. suddenly some inner sense
seemed to tell Ellen she was watched
She turned, and saw Waller Rodman,
looking earnestly, wistfully at her. A
quick flash swept across her cheek,
and her eyes lighted as she came for
ward to meet hun.
May | come int" he asked, open
ing the little gate.
II am very glad to welcome you,
she answered and then extending her
hands as he sprang lightly up the
steps
1t is not fair to repeat the lovers
Suffice it that before
Walter left the lutte cottage to take
the return train, he had won the dear
est wish of his heart; and when the
roses bioomed, Ellen became
the bride of the iu.ioV partner of
Meredith & Co., the new firm Of
the factory where she had so faith
fully worked.