Port Tobacco times, and Charles County advertiser. (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1845-1898, 1886-03-12

Maude was sure she had not met him
before, and yet. as she returned hla
gaze for ii moment, & feeling as of a
half forgotten memory came over her.
Unable to anal we the feeling, or in-
deed, comprehend it, she turned to
respond TO request for dance, and
at the same instant the distinguished
guest stepped aside to acknowledge an
Introduction to some new acqualnt-
ances.
Twenty minutes later, as Maudc
stood conversing with her partner,
Mrs. Remington's voice greeted her
ear.
"Maude. nv love, Mr.. Wentworth
wishes to be introduced to you
And oking up, she encountere
again the earnest gaze of the hand
some visitor.
\ request for the next dance fol
lowed the intr, duction; then a prom
enadc; and then, almost before she
was aware Mr.. Wenworth had secured
all the disengaged dances on her card.
iI5 conver-stInn. animated, varied,
fluent, had at the same time certain
uEdercurrent of deep, even intense
eelng, that lent strange charm to
his most commonplace words, and
sent subtle thrill to the very heart
of the fair girl. 1t seemed as if there
existed kindred chord between them
a chord long silent, yet living stili,
and which thrilled with every vibra
ton Of his voice. making her feel, ere
that short evening was past, as if he
had been a friend Of years-a loved
and valued friend-rather than a
stranger whom she was meeting f"r
the first time
Mr.. Wentworth learned, in the
course Of their conversation, that Mis-
Granger was spending the winter IN
town. being on visit to rrlatlv 5
and he further asked and Obtain d
permission to c.ll upon her. He did
call, monv times: and at length. one
evening", he said, in the course Of Il
long aud earnest conversation, M Iss
Granger. ever since our acquaintance
began, have been wanting to tel
YOU story. Let me tell it now.
Drawing his chair closer to wher,
she sat, Ralph Wentworth began d
tale with most Of VII ch the reader i.
already familiar. Then continuing
he said:
"One day therr came to that young
man a letter, continuing the notice nI
bequest of ten th"usaud pounds
from dlst,nt relative. lately deceas
ed. That money. With what he had
saved IN those five wears, completed
the purchase Of claim that WAS the
beginning Of his fortune. Step bv
step he mounted the ladder of life
aucr more, until he commanded wealth
influence and friends. and better than
ali. y clear and honorable record
Then he came back to his native land
to find her who had been his good
angel all those years. Perhap: fshe
had forgotten the man to whom her
sweet, childish sympathy had been a
tai!Sman aud blrssinE. for he had not
even told her his name but something
whispered to him that he would find
her again, aud find her heart free.
Maud. he continued, taking the hand
that trembled in his grasp, through
all those years that innocent kiss of a
warm, atirctionata heart has laid pure
npon his lips, I e solace of my lonely
NE. Temptations had many, but
that little face WAS present with me
always | could not look in thos
pure eyes and sin. On the day when
her little hand pointed out the way tc
a better life, she promised that if
came back again, and could say to hel
that had tried to do my duty, to b
u gool and useful man, she would kis!
me again. | have kept my faith, hav.
earnestly strived TO retrieve youthful
ioliv that hid not become wee. Ant
now will the woman redeem the pro
mise Of the child? Will she raise he
! lIps to mine in another kiss-a kis
that shall tell me she will be my life
good angel-my cheri he'd and honor
| I'd vie -
For a moment Made's vice falleC
her. Back over the vars memor,
Sw pit, bringing up every d tail o
/ that memorable interview. and she
now knew the subtle sympathy wbicl
| had seemed from the first to blut
them together. a new voice seemed
speaking to her now one to which
her heart r. spondcd with great ant
solemn JOY; and reaai"g his answer
in her face npra sed to him in one
hecting glance, Ralph Wentvortf
! drew her to his heart and kissed h. r
In private apartment in RALPH
Wentworrh's luxurious home hangs
beautifully executed copy of the
photograph he has cherished so long
while inclosed in Il golden locket
VI hich he will carry over his heart d:
/ long as he lives, is another, in minla
ture, of the sa eet, childish face, which
lifted to his in that first innocent kiss
of sympathy and trust, was the turning
point in his llfe-the earnest of use
ful, hoDorabie and happy future.