Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1885-03-05


nature is an unerring teacher. and in
your love and obedience TO me | have,
at this late dav, learned lesson of
duty. / was, when young, carefully
educated in all but that most import
ant of lessons to a child flial obedi-
ence. | was brought up to think that
my own wishes must be gratifed at
any cost; and when | met and loved
your father, instead of waiting patient
ly to gain a consent which my indulg-
ent parents could not have long with
held to our union, we were married
clandestinely. My one effort at recon
citation was not successful and-and
-- But, darling, | am too weary to
say more. Another day L will finish
my story"
But when the morrow sun shone into
the room, it was to rest, like a voice
less benediction, upon clay cold form,
and upon motherless girl alone with
it and her sorrow.
At first the desolate child-for Mabel
was but fourteen-was conscious only
of her bereavement But soon came a
keen pain that it aroused her to instant
action. Her dazzling mother must not
be laid away to rest in the Potter's
Field.
She would 90 to the kind old gentle
man who had given her the flowers.
and ask him for help in this trying
hour which had come to her young
life. She found him at home.
''Oh, sir!'' she said piteously, my
mother is lying cold and still, with all
the sweet life gone out of her beautiful
body! You are kind and rich. know
it is a great deal to ask, but if you will
keep them from laying her in a charity
grave Will pay back every penny you
spend"
The pleading, tear-stained face, the
childish, yet womanly ways of the self
reliant little creature, thus pledged to
fulfill duty which would entail long
hours of labor, and days of anchorite
abstinence before it could be accom-,
plished, touched a chord in Randolph
Gwinne's heart.
''Go home, little one" he said gent
ly, land mourn for your dead. Do
not fear; I will see that all needful ar
engagements are attended to.
After all was over, Mabel settled
down again to her mOnotonous routine
of work. Every week she scrupulous-
ly laid aside portion of her earnings
and carried them to Mr.. Gwinne, who
took them from her with apparent in
difference.
The child had made a contract with
him, and out of respect to her the man
of business carried it out to the letter.
At last the final payment was made.
As Mabel turned to 60, after thanking
her benefactor, his voice recalled her
to his side.
Little Mabel" he said, Il have
been an interested spectator of your
manner of life since you and I made
our bargain, | have seen your cheeks
grow pale for want of the food you
persisted in denying yourself, that
you might bring your weekly hoard to
me, and | wondered if one so young
would be able to carry out so high a
resolve. You have succeeded, and all
your life long you will have it to re-
member. Now, your part is done, and
mine begins. Give me your hand, my
child, for Randolph Gwinne respects
you. More than that he loves you
well enough to ask you to be his adopt
ed daughter. Come and make your
home with me. You shall have every
advantage that bountiful means can
provide. You will have no objections,
Clauncey, my boy, Will you?" as his
grandson came into the room.
A few words explained his meaning,
and Chauncey turned his handsome
eyes inditferently toward the hesitating
girl. 1t was not the first time they
had met-as Mabel was conscious in
every fibre of her sensitive being, but
Chauncey did not remember her.
So the careless but good-natured
''Of, course, grandfather, one more or
less does not matter in this great
house." sank deep into Mabel's men,
DRY, to rise again to the surface and in
fuence her future long after Chauncey
had forgotten them.
So it was that Mabel was domiciled
at the Gwinnes. A governess was en-
gagged for her, and music and painting
lessons soon occupied the time not en-
gagged in her studies. Thus year
passed on.
One morning the daily paper was
brought as usual to Mr.. Gwinne, as he
was sitting at the breakfast-table, sip
ping coffee.
Suddenly an exclamation from him
arrested Mabel's attention.
He had read q notice asking for the
knowledge OF the Whereabouts of one
Rachel Freeland, whose married name
was Wynne. Her only surviving pa
rent had died, and she, if living, was
sole heiresS to Large fortune; If dead,
her children wOIlld inherit
''Weu | remember poor Rachel"
said MIR. Gwinne musingly. She was
the handsomest girl [ ever saw. She
gave up all for love- and made a clan
destine marriage with 4 man of whom
her parents disapproFed. Poor Rachel!
/ wonder if she is aIiFel'
Mabel rose from the table. and went
to Mr., Gwinne. She was very pale,
but her eyes shone with excitement
Rachel Freeland was my mothers |
maiden name. Oh, my kind benefac-
tor. how little you knew whose child 1t
was you were befriending! But for