The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1885-08-21

and gave me his name
"And vas it in that little country town
that you knew Gervase Livingstone as
boy 20 inquired Pauline.
les. He had been sent to the house
Of some old family servant for mis- health.
and he remained there for two years, while
his parents were in Europe Oh Paul
ine, he was the noblest, kindest, most
generous-hearted boy If you win only
help me now to save him %
Ir' exclaimed Pauline.
"You," replied May, caressing and
kissing her. "Oh, don't refuse me, dear.
Papa is so stern and unforgiving about
such things. He would think Gervase-
I mean Mr.. ivingstone-not worth saw
ing, because Of this one fault. 1t is vain
to hope for help from him. But if you
will only assist me. dear, good Pauline, 1
have such plan %
Indeed p said Pauline, laughing. " SO
am to be bribed with kiss Well, let
me hear your plan for the benefit of Ger
vase-I mean Mr.. LivingstOne-and we
will see what can be done"
1 shall need your brothers aid, too,
but that you must secure And oh ! both
of you must promise to keep my secret
from every one," said May.
Then leaning her cheek against Paul
ines, she whispered, in the silence of the
midnight, her innocent plot for the re-
demption of a human soul
Pauline Danforth's stay in Boston was
but short one, and on her return to New
York 1t was noticed by her escort that she
carried In her own hands, and for the
whole distance, small ebony box, mount
ed In silver, and fastened with silver
lock and key. "A jewel box" as he
supposed.
On the evening of her arrival at the
home in Fifth Avenue, after the family
greetings were over, Pauline sought
private interview with her brother
James, and, after a long explanation left
the ebony box in his care.
May is a trump, Pauline and you are
another" was the young mans somewhat
undigni6ed exclamation, as he brushed
his cambria handkerchief across his eyes.
And Livingstone is well worth saving,
and the little box shall be in his possession
tomorrow evening before he sleeps"
Secretly, James, remember" said
Pauline. g He must not know from whom
the gift comes, till he has shown himself
worthy of it,"
Trust me for that" replied her broth
er. " If there We're more women on earth
like you and May, women ready to use
their influence over men in this fashion,
we should be q great deal better than we
are, my dear"
So James carried off his prize to his own
room.
The next evening a party Of gay friends
met, as they were often in the habit of
meeting, at the artists rooms. Wine
flowed freely, and the pictures on the
wall could scarcely be seen for the cloud
OF smoke that rose from dozen cigars.
+ba
Danforth rose from his chair and held out
his hand to the host:
"Good-by, Livingstone"
What are you going So soon P" said
the artist, surE sed.
Eyes. Goi,.s for good and all, my
boy"
- What do you mean 81
81 mean" said Danforth, seriously
that there is a time for all things, and
the time for reflection has now come to
me. we are all on the downward track,
boys-you know it as well as I. An angel
has warned me, and I am going to stop
now while can. Follow my example if
you have any regard for yourselves, or
for the mothers, sisters and wives at
home who love you. Good-by, boys
Good-by, Gervase. l shall join you here
no more
He left the room. They all sat gazing
at each other in silence. His words had
struck>home tO-every heart, as he had in
tended them to do. One after another of
the now quiet party stole away with some
excuse In half an hour after James
Danforth had closed the door behind him
the artist sat talone by his freside, leaning
his head upon his hand, and gazing sadly
into the burning Goals.
The wives-the mothers-the sisters at
- Il,
himself. "They did well to obey the call
I would have obeyed it, in my turn, but
who lives now to care for me? Ny
mother and little May are both in their
graves sister l have none-wife I shall
never have All, what does It matter
A short life and a merry one for me- and
no one will shed a tear over its ending
I'll have another glass Of wine. What's
this ?" .
In reaching up to the mantel-shelf for
the glass he had left there, his hand
struck against the little ebony chest,
which stood in the place of honor, directly
under n little water-color sketch made
from memory Of the long-lost child,
d" May"
The silver key was in the silver look
The artist turned it, wondering how the
beautiful toy came there without his
knowledge. His surprise increased when
the lid flew back displaying a beautiful
drinking cup of gold, elaborately chased,
and enriched with rubfes beneath the
curving brim.
"What beautiful thingl" exclaimed
the artist. lifting the cup from its bed of
rose-oolored velvet. Who can have sent
such gift Did those fellows bring it
secretly with them tonight, 1 wonder
Anyway, 1t is a perfect gem, and III fill
it to the brim with champagne, and see if
I can drive these melancholy thoughts
away"
Approaching the table, he lifted the
flask Something flashed at that moment
at the bottom of the cup Turning it to-
ward the light he saw picture, framed
in gems, and bending nearer, the large
blue eyes of the lovely stranger at the
concert looked up at him from the depths
of the goblet with an earnest, appealing
gaze.
He nearly dropped the cup in his sur
prise. SnatchinG the ebony case from the
chimney-piece, he searched it eagerly for
some clew to the nysterious gift.
Half-hidden in the velvet lining he
found morsel of paper, and drawing it
forth. and holding it to the light, he read {;
Not dead, but hoping and praying for you
ever. May
May May alive! Alive and remem-
berfng me - he exclaimed. And then, as
the full significance OF the gift flashed
across his mind, the crimson flushed to
his temples, and sinking on his knees. he
laid his head down beside the magic COB
let, and burst into passion of tears.
Those who called at the rooms of the