The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1885-11-19

something Of The subject to The mother
and then vas proven the truth Of Dots
judgement Of her that first night She
vss : generous. uasslhsh. true-hssrsed
woman. snd abe rsssmbersd hov full Of
anxiety Tor her boy had becu the winter
proceeding their coming. when she had
feared the inAnsncs Of . bold. vsyvsfd
girl would mar bis life and blast her
hopes.
That night abe stole softly into the girls
room and shading the lamp with her hand
looked Il the lovely face pillowed on Dots
arm. and whispered: ''She ia sweet and
purel Why should they not love each
other'" and vent away, taking with her
unconsciously, the one sorrow OF Dots
heart, for she. too, had seen the shy love
making and trembled lest pride might
out. weigh love. But the low whisper had
reached tho sisters waking ear, and bound
new fsttsrs about her loving. grateful
heart.
And %. when one evening in midsum-
-. Harry in straightforward. manly
Wy. told his passats that Nell had come
to b the one woman in Ill the world for
hin hs was made glad beyond measure by
their cheerful consent. and loving welcome
70 the trembling girl. who came blushing
and weeping. in the mothers outstretched
arms.
"Never mind. Dosl You are my girl,
said Mr.. Ames. rs be laid his hands on
her shoulder. Remember am keeping
you for that runaway son Of mine, who
has promised to come home this fall F"
1t was an old joke OF his that Dot was
to marry Walter Ames, his son by his
first wife. who had spentpearly four years
nov in the wilds Of Oregon, and for whom
the father was growing ''sair wearie. =
Walter did come home that fall, came
urged by message after message Of his
fathers increasing danger, at every avail
able point Of communication; came to
stand by bis bedside for few hours. to
hear his last words and wishes, and then
to look on calm, still face, sleeping quiet
ly iu death.
Dot, stealing in when no one else was
there, did not know what the sorrowing
son saw, the tender kiss she left on the
mute lips, or heard the wailing words
"Oh. how good you have always been to
usl"
Just before Mr.. Ames' death, by his
wish, Harry and Nell we're quietly mar
ried, and as soon as business allowed,
Walter returned to his Western home,
But he took with him an unvelcome gnes'
"a longing that would not be banished.
| Over and over again the memory o.
Dots farewell to his father rang in hi
ears. and be heard his fathers whispered
words, dot is my girl, Walter; try K
lind out what o treasure she is" Whef
word came that his step. mother was fail
Il IL. rapidly, it needed no other bidding u
bring him TO her side, for be had loved
Mrs Amea ~ IL she we're indeed his owl
mother, but bis dreams we're fnll OF tn
Hight, active figure, and lovable face Q
the presiding genius Of what vast still
"ho,ne" 10 him. despite his years Of wan
dering.
To Dots feeling toward him be had n
, key, bat her gentle, quiet. tenderness Q
manner 10 the rest, had also seemed to in
| clude him, and from this he strove to drav
. some hope. Soon after his arrival he nc
) ticed Mrs Ames' eyes following Dot an
!. himself with q new anxiety. Not on
/ word OF love had be uttered to this othe
daughter. Of the house. as his father ha
!. called her that last day Of his life, but
: great hunger for her love had sprung u
j. in his heart. which made It almost impoI
!. sible TO control his words especially .
0 this coming sorrow Was drawing them
. closely together
ri One evening % be sat in the room wheI
J. bis father bad lain those last days, an
' where Dot had given him that pathet
o farewell kiss. the door opened aud she q
). tered again, but this time she came to b
side. Come. she is asking for you, 81
u softly said. A strong impulse swept ov
l. him. % Dot, my darling. ] love you
u come to me II will be good to you to
) my Dot" and bis eeger arms clasped u
figure that rested within them. "He ga
b you TO me, my lovel" be whispered, b
tween passionate kisses.
l. Dot said nothing. but the glorious ey
,h left no need OF words, aud in her hea
ht was . glad song Home at last-trul
OF truly homel' Bending over Mrs. AM
,. bed later 10 the evening. he again not
{, her anxious look. aud answering 1t with
%. smile, be drew Dot within bis arms o.
.. said, II will be good TO her. mother
~ .sThat is Dots own word" whisper
at Mrs. Ames. Good! She was alwa
% my good Dot"
=, Mon Fit.