Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1885-03-04

the station, and then be directed here, if you
had any in the city,
81 have none, l said bitterly. IT was
only founding, living upon charity all my
life"
| was reckless. did not think how un-
necessary it was to speak of my own history
to stranger.
A whole month had lain there, and no
one had called.
And my pale, thin hands showed how
near to deaths door had been. As lay
looking at my wasted fingers, I noticed
that my ring was gone.
| Hastily inquired where it was. My new
found acquaintance blushed. and then said:
"Will you allow my husband to talk with
you few moments? He has your cameo"
In few moments tall, handsome gen.
tleman accompanied her into the room.
\ Years ago, +" he began, after apologizing
for being the cause of my illuess, and con-
gratulating me upon my recovery, II had a
'fpair cfearneos carved in this city, They
were unlike anything ever seen here. had
them set in a pair of earrings for my wife.
One night our house was robbed by trust
ed servant; the canoes were taken along
with other valuables.''
"Was anything else taken?" I asked,
sitting upright, and forgetting for moment
my weak state.
"Yes, cur only child" he replied broken
ly. 'Now, will you tell me how you came
by this cameo, for it is the same? to-day
took it to the person who carved it for me
SO long ago, and he recognized it at once,
although it has been reset"
"Was it seventeen years ago that your
child was stolen?' l asked eagerly.
eyes. What do you know ?'' he ques-
toned hoarsely.
81 know that I am. your child, them"
After had told the story so often repeat
ed to me by brother Raynor, they were per-
fectly satisfied that I belonged to them, and
their joy beggared description.
The story was that my father had given
his wife necklace of diamonds, and seeing
how pleased baby was with it, she had shsk-
en- the stones before its eyes, and at last in
spirit of fun, clasped it about the child's
neck. But she did not understand the fast
ening, and as her husband was away from
home, and she could not get the short chain
over the child's head, she was obliged to let
the nurse put the infant to sleep with the
glittering ornament about its neck. But
the temptation proved too great for the
nurses cupidity, so she had taken the baby
quietly out to neighboring jeweler, and
had the necklace unfastened.
The theory we, my new-found parents
and I, formed was, that becoming frightened
at her own exploits, and not daring to try
to replace the baby-I never can realize
that that baby was myself-lest she be dis
covered, she concluded to abandon it en-
tirely.
sNow, where do these people live who
have cared SO kindly for you9 I must see
them," said my mother.
Reluctantly I gave the address. Jack
came straight to me, after my mother told
her errand, and he looked so old and worn
and haggard, that for moment was lost
in pity for him.
Then l remembered the indelicate remarks
he had made to Miles Griffith, and in trying
to be frigidly cool, I only succeeded in weak
ly crying.
go, Jack! Jackp' I sobbed, unable to be
anything but my own impetuous SELF "why
did you teach me to love you, only to tire
of me so soon?''
"Tire How? What do you mean,
dear?" he asked, taking my hands anxious
ly, as if he feared was not quite rational.
And then, as I grew calmer, I had to con-
fess how had descended to the contempti-
BILE business of eves-dropping, and what I
had heard.
'Tt was my birthday, Jack. Don't you
remember, you had Griffith up in the studio9
And you told him you had made great
mistake, engaging yourself to me, and-and
he advised you to give it up, and you said
you'd follow his advice.''
For three minutes Jack stared at me, and
then he, with difficulty suppressing an in
clination to laugh, said:
'My darling, how could you believe it?-.
Now, listen. AS you know, my forte is
landscapes. Well, thought I'd make one
more trial at portraits; SO, lately, while I
have been entertaining you and mother SO
politely in the studio, was slyly taking
'sittings.' You know your birthday, or the
day we celebrate as yours, and mothers fall
on the same day; SO, as she often expressed
a wish to have your portrait painted, and
thinking that you would like hers, paint
ed your counterfeits as best I could, and
then, before showed them! sent for Grif-
fifth, the fairest critic in the club. He told
me candidly that as a portrait painter was
a dead failure, and advised me never to al
low the public to see my attempts. The
criticisms you heard were of your picture
not you. Are you satisfied"
Perfectly" answered, feeling as if I
could now get strong and well at once.
"But my poor birthday was all spoiled" I
sighed.
"To-day is your birthday, my DEAR" in
terrupted my new mother, brightly, enter
ing the room with Mother Raynor, ''and if
the other was spoiled, ask what you will,
and you may have it."
'G'll take jack" I said gaily. And so I
did, 'for better or for worse" year from
my eighteenth birthday.
How CLEVELAND DID BLAINE FA-
voR.-[Washington Letter to Springfield
Republican. ]-Cleveland' manly action is
said to have saved Mr.. Blaine, after the
indianapolis libel suit came to an end, from
an embarrassing attack. The Democratic