The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1885-07-25
Select Sturg,
LOVE AT SECOND SIGHT.

GLOW do you feel now, mother dear ?"
asked a tender young voice. "ls your
head any better?"
ssNo, Mable. 1t aches and aches, until
/ almost wish | could die. Lay your hand
here.
Mabers cheek paled as her mother took
her hand and pressed it itagainst her temple.
Such fire would soon burn out lifes flick
ering taper.
She wet cloth and bound it round the
fevered head As she did so the sick wo-
man gave sigh of relief She opened her
eyes and turned grateful look upon the
girl.
'sDo you know, Mabel, she said feebly,
II 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 | could have some of the
flowers that grew in the garden in front
of the house, the very smell of them would
cure me.
Tears rushed to Mabel's eyes, They
lived in the great crowded city, and they
were poor. Mabel could not spare from
her scanty hoard even the triAing sum for
which she could buy bunch of flowers
from the vendors who were stationed at so
many different places along the street.
How could she get some of the fragrant
flowers for her mother?
Suddenly came thought of an old-fash-
ioned mansion little way out of the city.
1t was empowered in a wilderness of bloom.
Surely it would be no harm to go and
ask for some flowers, they could but refuse
them.
She bent over the invalid and kissed
her.
'Mother," she said softly, "if you will
be content to stay alone for few hours l
think ] can crafty your longing if not for
the blossoms that grew about your old home
for some just like them. will ask Mrs.
Gray to come in and give you your medi-
cine regularly.
Mrs. Gray was a kind-hearted woman
who occupied part of the house in which
they lived, and she readily consented to
minister to the invalid's comfort in any way
she could during Mabel's absence.
1t was not without tremor that Mabel
at last found herself in a broad, neatly kept
path which led to the Gwinne mansion.
A huge mastif sprang toward her as she
neared the house,
"DoWn, Nero Down r
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 the fercer side for a more sus-
picious party.
His master looked pleased to see Mabel
pat his head fearlessly The truth was, now
that 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 ask
ing for the flowers.
"Well, Miss" he said courteously, "can
I do anything to put you in the way of
finding the person you are seeking p
'It is you, sly. 7 came to ask you for
flowers for my sick mother"
'sPick all you want, The more the bet
ter You are welcome to all you can carry.
Just then Mabel heard clear, ringing
voice shout Grandfather p and out Of
the cool, tiled hall, of which an enchanting
glimpse was visible through the open door
came q youth who Locked 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 shin,
mering, woven gold, and the richly en-
bfoidefed smoking cap which rested on his
curly head, seemed to her altogether toe
gorgeous toilet fof aoFtal like herself
But the illusion only lasted for q iaa.
ment. a pair of brown eyes, just the color
of ripe chestnut, glanced at her curiously
as their owner came down the walk,
aYou are just the one want, ghapncey
Get NV pruniag=shears and basket off the
table in the lower hall, and bring them t.
me-"
Chauncey soon returned with the desired
articles, and Mabel found herself following
Mr.. Gwinne into the garden. She was
soon laden with fragrant spoils, and wai
sent homeward rejoicing with kindly:
"Come again when these are faded,
from Mr.. Gwinne.
When Mabel reached home and he
mother saw the flowers, she put out he
hands with delighted exclamation
"Give them to me, child, quick Th'
very sight of them gives me new strength
And when Mabel put the fragrant clus
ter in her hands, she held them to her fac'
in mute caress.
After while she turned her eyes upol
Mabel, with look in them which startled
the girl by its intensity.
She was not like Mabel, who was sligh
and pale, and who looked even more child
ish than her years, with only her heav,
mass of ripping curls and her dark, ap
pealing eyes to redeem her face from abso
lutte plainness. She had evidently one
been woman Of queenly form and magnif
iceat beauty. Even now her great fever
bright eyes and hollqw cheeks bore weird
spectre-like semblapee of health, but it wa
delusive.