Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1885-02-27
LOVE AT SECOND SIGHT.

Is your 0edu aHg ucLbeTs
mo, Mabel. 1t aches and aches,
until / almost wish | could die. Lay
your hand here"
Mable's cheek paled as her mother
took her hand and pressed 1t against
her burning temple.
Such fire would soon burn out life's
fikering taper.
She wet a cloth and bound it round
the fevered head. AS she did so the
sick woman gave sigh OF relief.
She opened her eyes and turned a
grateful look upon the girl.
''Do you you know, Mabel, she
said feebly, II dreamed last night Of
the dear old home where we lived be-
fore your father died. You were a
wee toddling baby then. 1t seems to
me, if | could have some OF the
flowers that grew in the garden In
front Of the house, the very smell OF
Them would cure me-"
Tears rushed TO Mable's eyes. They
lived in the great crowded city, and
they were poor. Mabel could not
spare from her scanty hoard even the
trining sum for which she could buy
bunch of flowers from the vendors
who were stationed at so many diff
ferent places along the street.
How could she get some OF the
fragrant treasures for her mother2
Suddenly came a thought OF an
old-fashioned mansion a little way
out of the city. 1t was embowered in
"A wilderness Of bloom.
Surely it would be no harm for her
10 90 and ask for some flowers; they
could but refuse them.
She bent over the invalid and Kiss
ed her,
Mother" she said softly, off you
will be content to stay alone for a
few hours ] think / can crafty your
longing, If not for the blossoms that
grow about your old home, for some
lust like them. | will ask Mrs. Gray
la come and give you your medicine
regularly"
Mrs. Gray was kind hearted wo-
man who occupied a part of the house
in which they lived, and she readily
consented to minister to the lnvallds
comfort in any way she could during
Mable's absence.
1t was not without tremor that
Mabel at last found herself in broad,
ncally-kept path which led to the
Gwinne mansion.
A huge mastiH sprang toward her
as she neared the house.
Down, Nero! Down.
The speaker was an old gentleman,
who evidently feared that the APP.
proach of the dog would intimIdate
Mabel. But Nero coutented himself
with a good natured sniff. reservlng
his iicrccr side for Il more suspicious
party.
His master looked pleased to see
Mabel pat his head fcarlessly. The
truth was, now that she was in the in
the presence Of the stately old master
of the place, her heart failed her, and
she was glad Of an excuse to defer
asking for the flowers.
"Well, miss he said courtecusIy,
can | do anything to put you in the
way Of finding the person you are
seeking2'
at is you, slr came TO ask you
for some flowers for my sick mother. y
"Plck all you want. The more the
better. You are welcome to all you
can carry
just then Mabel heard clear, ring
mg shout: "Grandlatherl' and out 81
he cool, tiled hail, Of which an en-
.anting glimpse was visible through
the open door, came a youth who
looked To her like some prince from 4
fairy land.
She was not accustomed to the luXu
rious habits Of the rich, and his dark
blue velvet dressing gown, fastened
by its cord Of shlmmGring, wover
gold, and the richly embroidered
smoking cap which rested on his curly
head, seemed to her altogether toe
gorgeous toilet for mortal like her
self.
But the illusion only lasted for !
moment A pair of brown eyes, JUS
the color of a ripe chestnut, glanced
at her Curionsly as their owner came
down the walk.
"You are Just the one | want
Chauucey Get my pruning shears
and basket off the table in the lower
hall, and bring them to me-"
Chaunccy soon returned with the
desired articles, and Mabel found her
self following Mr.. Gwinne into the
garden. She was soon laden with
fragrant spoils, aud was sent home
ward reioiclng with kindly:
Come again when these arc faded,
from Mr.. Gwiuno.
When Mabel reached home ana hen
mother saw the flowers, she put out
her hands with a delighted eXclama
ton.
Give them TO me, child, quick
The very sight of them gives me new
Strength
And when Mabel put the fragrant
cluster into her hands, she held them
10 her face in a mute c&reSS.
After while she turned her eyes
upon Mabel, with look i'll them
which startled the girl by its intenis
tY.
She was not like Mabel, who was
slight and pale, and who looked even
more childish than her years, with
only her heavy mass of ripping curls
and her dark, appealing eyes To re.
deem her face from absolute plain.
. ness. She had evidently once been q
woman of queenly form and magni-
ticent beauty. Even now her great
fever bright eyes and hollow checks
bore wierd, specter-like semblance
vi htdltls bhA u WIS utANSlNt Z.
My darling" she whispered "you
have brought me blessing, and you
shall be rewarded. Tomorrow | will
throw pride to the winds, and dictate
Il letter to my father which shall re
store my child to her rights. Oh,
Mabel, nature is an unerring teacher,
and in your love and obedience to me
| have, at this late day, learned 3
lesson Of duty | was, when young,
carefully educated in all but that
most important of, lessons to chid,
lilial obedionce. was brought up to
think that my own wishes must be
gratilied at any cost; and when l met
and loved your father, instead 81
waiting patiently to gam ~ consent
which my indulgent parents could
not have long withheld 10 our union,
we were married clandeStinely. My
one effort at reconciliation was not
succeSsful-and-and--- But, darl
ling, am too weary to say more
Another day will finish my story.
But when the morrow'S sun shoue
into the room, it was to rest, like s
voiceless benediction, upon clay cold
form, and upon amotherleSS girl alone
with it and her sorrow.