The Sunday tatler and Jersey City express. (Jersey City, N.J.) 1883-1886, 1885-03-29
LOVE AT SECOND SIGHT.

mo, Mabel 1t aches and aches, untilI
almost wish 1 could die. Lay your hand
here"
Mabels cheek paled as her mother took
her baud and pressed it against her burn
ing temple. Such fire would soon Durn out
lites Pickering taper She wet cloth and
bound it around the fevered head As she
did so the sick woman gave a sigh of relief.
She opened her eyes and turned grateful
look upon the girl.
ssDo you know, Mabel" she said, feebly,
ST dreamed last night of the dear old home
where we lived before your father died.
You were wee toddling baby then. 1t
seems to me, if 1 could have som of the
flowers that grew in the garden in front of
the house, the very smell of them would
cure me.
Tears rushed to Mabels eyes. They lived
in the great crowded city, and they were
poor. Mabel could not spare from her
scanty hoard even the trifing sum for which
she could buy bunch of flowers from the
vendors who were stationed at so many diff
ferent places along the street. How could
she get some of the fragrant treasures for
her mother?
Suddenly came thought of an old-fash-
toned mansion little way out of the city.
1t was EMPOWERED in a wilderness 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, 'sif you will
be content to stay alone for few hours
think can crafty your longing, if not for
the blossoms that grow about your old
home, for some just like them. l will ask
Mrs. Gray to come in and give you your
medicine regularly"
Mrs. Gray was kind-hearted woman
who occupied part of the house in which
they lived, and she willingly consented to
minister to the invalids comfort in any way
she could during Maoels absence
1t was not without tremor that Mabel
at last found herself i'll broad. neatly kept
path which led to the Gwinne mansion. A
huge mastiff sprang toward her as she near
ed 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 fercer side for a more sus-
picious party.
His master looked pleased to see Mabel
pat his head fearIessly. The truth was.
now 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 flowers.
''Well, miss, he said, courteously, scan
I do anything TO put you in the way of
finding the person you are seekingT
sit is you, sir l came to ask you for
some flowers for my sick mother"
.sPick all you want. The more the bet
tez. 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 luxurious
habits of the rich, and his dark-blue velvet
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 toilet for a mortal like her.
self.
But the illusion only lasted for moment.
A pair of brown ey s, just the color of
ripe chestnut, glanced at her curiously as
their owner came down the walk.
s'You are just the one want, Chauncey
Get my pruning, shears and basket off the
table in the lower hall and bring them to
me-"
Chauncey soon returned withIthe desired
articles, and Mabel found hers If following
Mr.. Gwinne into the garden. She was soon
laden with fragrant spoils, and was sent
homeward rejoicing with a kindly:
ssCome again when these are faded, from
Mr. Gwinne.
When Mabel reached home and her
mother saw the flowers, she put out her
hand with delighted exclamation.
'.Give them to me, child, quick The
very sight of them gives me new strength !"
And when Mabel put the fragrant clus-
ters into her hands, she held them to her
face in mute caress.
After a while she turned her eyes upon
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 II ore child
ish than her years, with only her heavy
mass of ripping curls and her dark, APP
pealing eyes to redeem her face from abso-
Lutte plainness. She had evidently been a
woman of queenly form and Of magnificent
beauty. Even now her great fever-bright
eyes and hollow cheeks bore wierd, spec
tre-like semblance of health, but it was de-
lusive.
''My darling" she whispered, s'you have
brought me blessing, and you shall be re-
warded. Tomorrow / will throw pride to
the winds and dictate letter to my father
which shall restore my child to her rights.
Oh, Mabel, nature is an unerring teacher,
and in your love and obedience to me [ have
at this late day learned lesson of duty. /
was, when young, carefully educated in all
but that most important of lessons to
child, filial obedience. / was brought up
to think that my own wishes must be graft
fed at any cost; and when | met and loved
your father, instead of waiting patiently to
gain consent which my indignant parents
could not have long withheld to our union,
we were married clandestinely. Ny one
effort at reconciliation was not successful
and-and- But, darling, I am to weary
to say more Another day will finish my
story"
But when the morrows sun shone into
the room it was to rest, like voiceless
benedlction, upon clay cold form and up
on motherless girl along with it and her
sorrow
At first the desolate child--for Mabel was
but fourteen-was conscious only Of her
bereavement. But soon came !. thought
which brought with it such keen pain that
!, it aroused hes to instant action. Her dar-
ling mother must not be laid to rest in Pot
ter's Field.
She would 60 to the kind old gentleman
who had given her the flowers and ask him
or help in this trying hour which had come
her young life She found him at home.
''Oh, sir" she said, plteously, My
mother is lying cold and still, with all the
sweet life gone out of her beautiful body.
You are kind and rich. / knowit is a great
deal to ask, but if you will keep them from
laying her in charity grave I will pay back
every penny you spend.