News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1885-01-15
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fifteen minutes later, when a little fig
ure in close widows weeds entered tn,
library where he was reading, Drying:
ooh, Mr.. Allison, is my Aunt Lizzi
dead ?"
Down went the lawyers p"nderou
book upon the floor as he started erect
Edna Allen p he cried, "where dit
you come from, and in that dress ?"
did you not get my letters? Dit
you not know that my dear husband
was dead? And now-the house is al
shnF up-Aunt L zzie I"
''Ghere, there, don't cry sol Youl
aunt is alive and well. Let me bring
your trunks in and l will tell you ali
,bout it..
So saying, the old lawyer rang the
bell, sent a servant out for the traveller
baggage, summoned his sister and then
told Edna all about it. The long -guard-
d secret could be kept no longer.
In the Barton Seminary, an elderly,
shite-h haired lady, with sweet, sad
lace, the morning before Christmas day,
'pened letter and read it over with an
,nxious face. 1t was from her lawyer,
dr. Allison, and it begged of her, for
easons of the deepest Importance, to
meet him in her old home on the even
ing of the day then passing. But the
'entence that caused the deepest pain
o the loving heart was the postscript of
he letter:
81 have just heard of Hosmer Aliens
leath in Paris. last MONTH"
'Hosmer Allen dead Where is my
,oor Edna? A widow at nineteen Poor
ttle one r.
More to hear the tidings of her adopted
;hild than from any other reason, Mrs.
Garchmont resolved to obey the lawyers
luminous. The train from Barton that
cached L at six o'clock, carried her
lpon her journey, and it was but short
rive TO her old home.
She was surprised, having heard it
vas for sale, to find it brilliantly lighted
n every room, and to see her old foot
nan opening the door. She hurried to
he parlor, warmed, lighted, but empty.
There she saw a large, legal envelope
Ipon the centre table. 1t was directed
o herself, and she opened it hastily.
A large folded paper fell out and tiny
lote. She opened the first and found a
Iced conveying to her the house in
which she stood, and thirty thousand
IolIars deposited in her name in the
l. Bank.
Utterly bewildered, she sank into
; lair. and for the first time spied the
ny note. 1t was directed in a familiar
land, and she opened it, already guess
ng its contents. And inside, in Edna's
,and, she read:
'DEAR, DEAR AUNT LIZZIE: Will you
ccept the accompanying Christmas gift
rom
"Your loving child, EDNA?"
edna Is Edna bere?" she cried.
And in answer, the little figure Of her
dopted daughter came quickly down
ne wide staircase.
ST thought you would never call mel
he cried, as she sprang into the loving |
rms opened to her.
'Eina my little one y
81 may come home, may I not?" the
7oung widow asked, lifting her sweet
ace. that looked so sad in its youth and
dress.
For answer there were only mute but
ender caresses.
But 1 do Lot understand" Mrs.
Marchmont said at last, my poor head
quite bewildered +
81 will explain it all, then, Auntie.
When Hosmer was in Paris he was taken
suddenly i'll, and although we had the
,est advice, he died in less than a week
.fter he was first taken. B fore we left
ere he signed will left with Mr.. Alli-
On, giving me his entire property in case
f his death. And it Is weary burden
think of, Aunt Lizzie. want him SO
much, so much +
She sobbed bitterly as she spoke, and
was several minutes before she con-
inued:
Mrs. Carleton was in Paris, and C m
rng home by the next steamer, and
vas only too glad when she begged of
me to come home with her. wrote to
you and to Mr. Allison, but thu letters
we're on the same steamer, / think, for
fhey came here after 1 did. When 1
con,d not find you, went TO Mr.. Alli-
son. and ne was so kind, SO good to me,
Aunt Lizzie. His sister made me a vel
come gut st, and when was rested he
helped me to prepare this Christmas
rrprise for vou. I have been here all
day, making the house look just as it
used to look, and we will try and be
happy together here, will we not, as if
the past years sorrows were only heart
sorrows, not money troubles ?"
Dear child" was the gentle answer,
81 accept your generous gift in the same
lcving spirit that makes you offer it, and
f my love can comfort you in your
great sorrow, you must know it is all in
my heart for You, as it has been since
you were a child"
"And now come to dinner. Mr.. and
" Sli;~o-, nro vonr pnasts and are
waiting for us in the dining-room. Isaw
lots of Your prettiest dresses hanging in
The wardrobe in your old room, so you
can make your toilette while I go and
entertain the company till you come
found Margaret, Aunt Lizzie, and she
was delighted to come back, so You may
be sure all your favorite dishes will be
On the table"
1t was quietly happy party which met
1t that dinner to celebrate the second of
Il. Gi,rink,,nnn LI,rnn