The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1885-02-19
LOVE AT SECOND SIGHT.

LOVE AT SECOND SIGHT.
.How do you feel now, mother
dear?" asked a tender young voice.
''Is your head any better?"
No, Mabel. 1t aches and aches,
until l almost wish l could die. Lay
your hand here"
Mabel's cheek paled as her mother
took her hand and pressed it against
her burning temple.
Such fire would soon burn out life's
fickering taper.
She wet u 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 Il grateful
look upon the girl
..Do You know, Mabel" she said
feebly, Il dreamed last night of the
dear old home where we lived before
your father died. You were Il wee tod
ding baby then. 1t seems to me, if l
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 Mabers eyes. They
lived i'll the great crowded city, and
they We're poor. Mabel could not spare
from her scanty hoard even the triiling
sum for which she could buy bunch
OF flowers from the vendors who were
stationed ut so many different places
along the street
How could she get some of the fra
grant treasures for her mother?
Suddenly came a thought of an old
fashioned mansion little way out of
the city. 1t w;ts embowered in will
derness of bloom.
Surely it would be no harm for her
to go and ask for some flowers; they
could but refuse them.
She bent over the invalid and kissed
her.
Mother" she said softly, ''if you
will be content to stay alone for few
hours think l can crafty Your long
ing, if not for the blossoms that grow
about your old home, for some just like
them. will ask Mrs. Gray to come
in and give you your medicine regular
ly."
Mrs. Gray was a kind-hearted wo-
man who occupied part of the house
in which they lived, and she readily
consented to minister to the invalid's
comfort in any way she could during
MabeHs absence.
1t was not without tremor that
Mabel at last found herself in n broad,
neatly-kept path which led to tho
Gwinne mansion.
A huge ma tiff sprang toward her as
sheneared the house.
..Down, Nero! Down.
The speaker was an old gentleman,
who evidently feared that the approach
of the dog would intimidate Mabel
But Nero contented himself with
good-natured sniff, reserving his ferce1
side for Il more suspicious party.
His master look pleased to see Mabel
pat his head fearlessly. The truth was,
now that she was 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 flow
erS.
"Well, miss" he said courteously,
lean | do anything to put you in the
way of finding the person you are seek
ing?"
at is you, sir. l came to ask you
for some flowers for my sick mother"
''Pick all you want. The more the
better. You are welcome to all you
can carry"
just then Mabel heard clear,
ringing voice shout: 'Grandfather!'
and out of the cool, tiled hall, of which
an enchanting glimpse was visible
through the open door, came a youth
who looked to her like some prince
from fairy land.
She was not accustomed to the luXu-
riOus habits of the rich, and his dark
blue vele dressing-gown, fastened by
its cord of shimmering, woven gold,
and the richly embroidered smoking
cap which rested on his curly head,
seemed to her altogether too gorgeous
a toilet for mortal like herself.
But the illusion only lasted for a
moment A pair of brown eyes, just
the color of ripe chestnut, glanced at
her curiously as their owner came down
the walk.
You are just the one lwant, Chaun-
cey. Get my pruning-shears and o
basket off the table in the lower hall,
and bring them to me"
| Chauncey soon returned with the de-
sired articles, and Mabel found herself
following Mr.. Gwinne into the garden
She was soon laden with fragrant
spoils, and was sent homeward rejOic-
ing with Il kindly:
Come again when these are faded, "
from MIR. Gwlnne.
When Mabel reached home and her
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
clusters into her hands, she held them
to her face in a mute caress.
After a while she turned her eyes up
on Mabel, with look in them which
startled the girl by its intensity.
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 redeem
her face from absolute plainness. She
had evidently once been woman OF
queenly form and of magnificent beau
ty. Even now her great fever-bright
eyes and hollow checks bore wierd,
specter-like semblance of health, but il
was delusive.
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 restore
my child to her rights. On, Mabel
nature is an unerring teacher, and il
YOU love and obedience to me ! have
1T this late day, learned a lesson OF
duty. was, when young, carefully
educated in all but that most import
ant of lessons to child, filial obedi
ence. | was brought up to think thai
my own wishes must be gratified a
any cost; and when met and lovcc
your father, instead of waiting patient
ly to gain consent which my indulg
ent parents could not have long with
held to our union, we We're married
clandestinely. My one effort at recon
ciliation was not and-an,
- But, darling, am too weary t,
say more Another day l will finisl
my story"
But when the morrow S sun shonc int,
the room, it was to rest, like a voice
less benediction, upon "a clay cold form
| aud upOn a motherlesS GIRL alone witt