The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1886-11-06
AUNT FANNIE'S LOST LOVE.

Il #W0 were oittinK Dy the glow OF the
|firelight. Madge and /, talking of ous
late bereavement. and trying to pic
ture the future deprived of the hope
tuak had always frightened it..
Months had passed since my BROTH
er'a sudden death in China had left
Madge an orphan but the news had
crossed the wide ocean before we
'heafd 1t. and so not many weeks
were gone since we knew the sad It'd.
inka Eighteen years before my
prother Rupert had placed his moth
eFIass babe in my arms and accepted
lucrative trading position in China.
From that day 1 had never seen
bis ace, and Madge knew nothing of
her fathers looks, save what was
srSeyed by the large oil painting
taken of him In his first flush oil
manhood. Long, loving letters he had
written by every mail, and our ample
income to US across the sea, came
while year after year the bright hope
of his return was postponed, as he
piled uD the treasure to enrich Madge
at some future time, and at last the
news of his death told us how pre-.
cious. in our lonely lives, the hope of
his coming had been.
He had been sunstruck, and, upon
examination of his papers, it was
found that he left no will, so that
while Madge was rich. very rich, l
was left without one dollar more than
the small income inherited from my
father, a mere pittance which I had
eked out by sewing until I came to
be mother to my niece. knew that
Madge would never let me want. 80
no new pang Of future poverty was
added to my sincere grief at Rupert's
death.
AS the fair gifl sat by the freight,
the warm glow from the open crate
playing on her heavy black dress,
lighting up her sunny curls and deli
cate beauty. l wondered if the world
held purer, more childlike heiress
than the one who sat before me. Sud-
denly laying her head on my lap she
said:
"Aunt Fanny, some of these days
when I am of age. we will travel.
you and I, far into Europe. over our
own country, and-visit the grave in
China. Oh! if he had only come
home. had left one wish of his to full
fill. one line to guide me for the
future, one trust to make the lode
star of my life =; but the sudden blow
found him we'll and careless, hoping
soon to meet US, and left Us only this
weary wealth, amassed at the cost OF
life's separation.
Was it an answer to her wish, that
sudden loud peal at the bell. which
made US both start to our feet?
George, our polite footman, opened
the door in a quiet way, and spoke
softly:
IA gentleman. Miss Norton, to see
Miss Margaret"
I'VE see no one, George" said
Madge. hastily.
II told him so, Miss but he said
you would see him if / said he was
from China and he had letter from
your father"
"Show him up" 1 said quickly,
and light the gas here. George"
AS our visitor crossed the room, ir
the full glare of the gas, knew face
step and manner. Ny traitor hear
beat almost to suffocation and coulG
feel my hand tremble; but fortu
nately he spoke to Madge first, and
before he turned to me 1 was Quie
again.
1--WE are not strangers, Mis- Fran
ces." he said cordially, clasping my
hand, land you must tell Mis- Mar
garet how dearly I love her father
tell herl My poor heart sank be
fore the task of recalling the past, bu
l steadied my voice to say;
"Almost from infancy, Madge
your father and Mr.. NOEL wer
friends; through boyhood, you'll
and manhood scarcely separated
School mates and college chums, ant
finally partners in business"
You were with my father when h
died ?" said Madge, eagerly.
"Deadl |" he cried. In a voice G
agony. "Rnpert dead !"
ibid you not know it ?"
II left China year ago have bee
In Europe ever since. writing often
but moving from point to point to
rapidly to get letters. l came her
at your fathers request. Tell m
about it," he added, huskily, after
long pause.
Madge was already sobbing. so
told him. / knew that no brothe
gave a more fervent love to brothe
than he had given Rupert, and wor
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