Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1884-11-06
my name in full is Annie Seaheld,

Ahu . very gOou name 100, my
dear. Well, perhaps you won't forget
mine If you should ever hear it--oh?'
mo; should not, indeed. because
it is name can never forget.
why" he exclaimed sharply.
Because Hardy was the name of Nell
sons dearest friend, who caught him
when he had received his death wound"
Capital! Why, you are well mp in
the naval history of your country. You
have been well educated from what
can see. You were not brought up for
this position, | fancy. Deserve some-
thing better. Who knows? perhaps.
some day, you may be able to hold
your own yet, my child
IL am very contentcd, sir, in the po-
sition Heaven has thought fit to place
me in; But, still, you are quite right.
was borne in different circumstances.
My father was u large hotel proprietor
in Southampton, and through over
speculation and bad men, died in poy-
erty."
81 thought as much" he returned
dryly. 1.-The old story. A fool and
his money A starving family left
to battle with cold. grasping world"
Il am contented," she said cheerful
". Everybody is good to me.'
''Stuff and nonsensei" he murmured
''Nobody's good in this selfish world
but yourself I've had q good spell.
considering the years / have been in
it. Everybody has interested motives.
People are what you call kind to YOU
because You are necessary to them.
You become i'll or crippled. and then
see what kindness you will get from
the world.
81 should not like to think that
she said softly. looking with a wealth
of pity into the hard old face. Il feel
sure there are kind hearts in the world.
if you will only believe in them. Life
would be worthless to me if / thought
as you do"
''Wait till you have lived to three
score and nearly ten," he said, shrug-
ging his shoulders, land seen the hoi-
lowness of friendship, and the selfish
greed of all who will fawn upon you as
long as you possess sovereign in your
pocket"
Even then l would still hope to find
true friend" she said earnestly.
"You are q good girl, and have got
one-ah, as true as steel. Remember
my words, child, when tell you that
You have made me human again. and
caused me to believe in my fellow crea-
lures, whom | had cast out of nv heart
and life"
Annie Seaiield never forgot that
strange conversation, though they met
several times after il; but he became
very reticent speaking less as his
steps became more feeble.
Poor old dearr' she murmured, II
fear he is not long for this world" as
she watched him pass the window af-
ter his frugal dinner. Il wonder where
he lives? Not far, hope; he seems so
weak"
The next day came, but no old gen
tleman. and Annie felt quite dull and
djStra1. In vain she placed a dish of
flowers on the table. and shook the
cushion of the chair as welcome.
The kindly old face never came to
smile his thanks, and she went about
her duties with II saddened heart. for
there was that inward presentment
fixed in her mind that the comfortable
would see its occupant no
more, the bright, fresh flowers be plac-
ed in vain.
so You have lost yoIr old friend at
last, =" said Mr. Glover, as he saw the
wlstlul face looking yearningly out
OF the window "Weli, you mustn't
look so sad, my lass; the old must 90,
you know; come, have glass of wine,
and cheer mp"
81 was only thinking how lonely he
was, and that he might be ill and have
no one to attend to him. He was not
very well off either, fancy"
That's where think you are mis-
taken, Annie" he said reassurinrlv;
"ior one day when you were called
away, and | took the money for his
chop. l saw roll of crisp bank-notes
there's no installing them. so you
are bit of miser, thought, and no
doubt he was, and | must say of all
people / dislike them the most so
think your sympathy is thrown away
upon such an old curmudgeon.
Days passe! and the old man was al
most forgotten, when n large, blue,
legal-looking letter came from y we'll
known firm of solicitors in Lncoln's
Inn, addressed to Miss Annie Seafield.
Surely there must be some mis-
take, she said TREMENDOUSLY; sit can
not mean me. Twenty thousand a
year! Oh, no; | have done nothing to
deserve it,
ut is true, child" said the worthy
landlord, as he read the contents. II
congratulate you, and hope you will |
live long to enjoy this piece of good |
fortune, for you deserve it"
Il little thought, Annie" put in
Mrs Glover, "that your ancient adj
mirer would turn out millionaire, !"
as she folded the girl in her kind,
motherly arms.
The only person who seemed sorry
for this unexpected accession of Annie |
to opulence, was Harry Crawford, but |
she soon convinced him that her heart |
was still unchanged towards him, and |
her kisses, if anything, were warmer
than ever.
One condition TO the will was that |
she should assume the name of Hardy, |
also her husband if she ever married.
Annie Seafield never had cause to
regret having entertained An Angel |
Unawares.