The Penn's Grove record., 1885-10-03

At the command OF Lord BuTToWes,
the articles found upon the person of
the deceased vagabond were produced.
They consisted of the pocket already
mentioned, and a silk handkerchief
stained with blood. In the former
were discovered a number of cards and
documents which were quickly recOg-
nized as the property of the lata Mr..
Greene. In one corner Of the latter
was embroidered the monogram II.
w. G..
In due form the case was dismissed.
The man who had been u~niustly sus-
pected and wrongly accused stepped
down from his homogeneous position,
while the occupants of the courtroom
pressed round him en- masse, shaking
his hands and Offering their congratula-
lions. Foremost among them vas Nj.
Bassett, striving to atone for the sus-
picions he had entertained by his out
spoken and sincere regard.
There was only one who knew naught
of what vas passing; N voice which
was silent amid all rpjoicings. Mildred
lay insensible in Lady Ashton's arms.
= =
Beneath the roof of the Beeches glad
and thankful hearts are beating.
Upon the termination Of the proceed
ings in court, Lord Barrowes accepted
the cordial Invitation of Mr., Parkhurst,
and consented to transfer his belongings
from the Lynnwood Arms to more COM
Portable quarters within the elegant
and h%ospitable mansion, having allowed
himself to be persuaded to prolong his
visit from another "a hours.
Mildred's swoon was not of long dura-
ton. but wearied with excitement and
anxiety she retired to her room immed-
iatelv upon reaching home.
It is nine O'Clock, and the impromptu
dinner-party is over. Several of the
neighbors, among whom of course are
the Ashtons, have been invited to meet
Lord Barrowes on this happy occasion.
The gentlemen having Joined the
ladies in the drawing room, the sound
of ripping laughter and the muTmur of
pleasant conversation are once more
eohoing through the spacious apartment
and being waited out upon the fra
GRANGE of the summer night.
The distinguished guest and host are
standing near an open window, talking
not only of recent events, but of days
long past, when, becoming ware of
sudden silence, followed by suppressed
murmur of establishment, they look up.
Advancing gracefully towards them
is Mildred. But how changed since the
morningl A few hours repose have
restored the roses to her cheeks. Her
eyes are radiant with gladness, her lips
are parted with a sweet, shy smile.
She had planned this little surprise
for her father, who has not expected
that she would feel sufficiently recover
ed 10 appear.
Clothed in an evening dress of soft
clinging white cashmere, with pearls
wound round her fair neck and arms
and white carnations in her hair and
on her breast, she passes by her guests,
acknowledging their presence with a
simple courtesy, and goes straight to
Lord Barrowes.
Placing both her little hands in his
she glances up into his face with humid
eyes.
"Oh, " she asks softly, show can I
eyer thank your"
He gazes fondly on the lovely up
turned features, as he answers.
W lf6b nave A bOtiC1 ny ACNA OLAAA+
to merit such kind words?"
"You have saved my father"
"But have you not heardp Did they
not tell you"
Eyes Lady Ashton told me all that
happened, she interrupts, "but Lionel
a"scertained what the verdict would
have been, and our deepest gratitude
will always be due to you, my lord. APP
peaIances were against my dear father
and your noble words Influenced every
one in his favor"
The little hands are still elasped in
his. He looks at her in speechless adj
miration. Her voice touches a cord
that has for years been silent. Moved
by an irresistible impulse, he bends
over her.
mildred" he says, in tones tremb-
ling with emotion, your father tells
me that your mothers portrait hangs
in his study; he has given me permits
sion to see it. win you he my guldep"
Wondering, vaguely agitated by his
manner, she ~assents, and laying her
hand lightly on his arm, leads him
from the room.
His heart is beating almost to suffo-
cation. Upon this moment he has stalk
ed the one hope of happiness that life
can never hold for him. He knows
that he's precipitate, rash; but be Will
not hesitate.
AS they pass down the long corridor,
she glances up at him with sweet shy
glance. She does not speak, however;
not for worlds would she intrGde upon
his silence, her youthful Imagination
has surrounded him with a halo of no
biIity and heroism; all the latent ro-
nance and ardor of her nature are
merged into the tender reverence with
which she regards hun. Entering the
study, they stand before the portrait of
Mildred's mother, where it CLEANS fair
and bright amid the dark plush hang
ings.
Lord Barrowes silently gazes upon it,
and the girl beside him feels his arm
tremble.
Presently he turns to her, taking
both her hands in his, as before.
Mildred he says, in a low, lmpas-
stoned tone, 'Hhear Inc. l loved your
mother as few ome are ever loved.
She did not return my affection, but nc
other being has effaced her memory
from my heart. When | saw your face
the buried love rose again-the inter
vening years were forgotten. Myyouth
returned; with its hopes and aspirations
the sweetness of an unoonquerable
idolatry resumed its searee-interrupted
sway, and my earthly path vas again
Illuminated with the radiance that is
but a foretaste of heaven"
The slender form before him is quiy-
ering like the aspen. He draws her
closer to him, and raises the beautiful
agitated face to his own.
"My darling" he continued, ait Is
early, | know to tell yon this, but | love
you. | hold you enshrined to my heart
as no other woman has ever been a
cine. Mildred; for her dear sake my
life has been desolate. Oh, tell me,
child, will YOU consent to Al that va
can placer Will you be my own-my
wife?r
The violet eyes are dim with unshed
tears as she Chances up at him in mute
surprise.
go.