The clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1883-1888, 1886-03-24

pushing aside her veil with reluctance
as she remembered her tear-stained
face.
But the darkness of the room only re.
vealed its excessive pallor-nothing
more
Il would be pleased TO secure the po
sition; and can teach music, French,
German. and. with little study, Latin.
But am a-stranger here, and my ref
erences are from places and people so
distant that did not know whether you
would be willing to accept them"
Two keen bright eyes had been
searching her face rs she spoke, and
their owner was making up her mind in
hurried decisive way characteristic of
her.
Il think would be willing. Are you
fond of children?"
Yes, madame"
'.And have you taught beforee'
'.For three years. in family from
whom bring recommendation.
A few more questions and answers
followed: and then, almost before Luz
ellie realized it, she was engaged. shown
TO her room, and boy dispatched to the
village for her trunk.
''Can it be possible. or am | only
dreamingm she murmured. sinking in
to the chair by the window, in the very
room that had belonged to her COVER
ness. Father, mother. do You know
that am at home? Home! Oh, what a
bitter mockeFyi | must 90 away again.
can never bear itr'
But she did bear it. and soon learned
to love those who now called il home
Mrs. Morton was widow, with a frank
impulsive heart, that was soon won bv
the stranger; and the children fell
promptly in love with their new COVER
ness, who never grew tired of strolling
about the grounds with them, and tell
ing the most wonderful stories, of how
another little girl had once lived in their
house. and had done so and so.
1t was life nearer happy than any
she had lived for ten years; and many,
many times the truth hung to her lips
when talking to Mrs. Morton. But she
never spoke it.
''Such piece of news" said the lady.
coming in one day with an open letter
in her hand. My brother is coming
home"
Yes said Lucille, with polite inter-
est. The one YOU call YOUR favorite?
Is he coming to visit you?n
Visit me? Why, this is his house."
laughed Mrs. Morton. throwing down
the garden-hat. And with such love
" home as this, he leaves me to do as |
please here, and goes roaming around
the world after . girl he loved years
ago. This was her home Why. Miss
Lathrop-n
''Oh, it is nothing" interrupted L,i-
sfr4,.a aflx- 10 .A,,f
my side. / have them frequently. But
| was interested in your story. did
not mean TO interrupt. Go on, please"
Il really don't know all the particg-
lars, often as have heard them, said
Mrs. Morton. But they were engaged,
and rs | say, this was her home; but her
father forged, or something. and killed
himself, and then the girl and her
mother gave up everything and disap-
peared. But forgot to say that Just be-
fore that my brother had been called
abroad, and was reported lost at sea,
but had escaped death in the miraculous
way, that some poople-H
But with startled cry she interrupt
ed herself and sprang up, Just as Lucille
sank from her chair TO the floor in utter
insensiblitY,
1t almost seemed as if life would not
return. but Mrs. Morton together with
the servants who rushed in at her
frightened CRY, wore interchangeable, and
at last they were rewarded.
do not speak, Mrs. Morton ex-
claimed. as the gaze on her face grew
rational, and the white lips began to
tremble. Il guess what you would say.
You are Lucille Brayton. Close your
eyes if am right
Instantly the lids fell, but as quickly
lifted again.
"Say it again" the faint voice plead
ed, in spite of commands of silence.
LLOYD lives? my Lloyd? Lloyd Murray?'
Yes, yes. But YOU must be quiet. |
will not talk to YOU cried Mrs Nor
ton, who was in perfect delirium of
Joy and excitement.
But Lucille did not want her to. That
one deliriously joyful truth was enough
to feast on for the present, and gladly
she closed her eyes and lay quiet, while
Mrs. Morton, calling her carriage, drove
hastily into the village and sent this
startling announcement to her brother,
Lloyd Murray.
Come at once, Lucille Brayton is
with me-
And you cannot imagine. how. after
reading it. the speed of lightning
seemed but snaifs pace TO him, who,
since his wonderful escape from the sea,
had never ceased looking for the one
who, believing him dead, and caring for
naught else in the world, had SO sedul-
ously hidden herself away.
Their meeting was far too full of
sacred Joy to bear either witness or de-
scriptioH. airs, Mortar welcomed
her brother at the steps, saw him into
the parlor, and saw Lucille rise from her
chair. looking like an angel In her white
draperies and the speechless joy in her
pale face.
Then she hurried away with her eyes
full of happy tears for their joy. and
tried to explain to the astonished chill
dren how Miss I.athrop was not Miss
i.athrop, and was going to be their
auntie very soon.
did YOU not notice how like old
times everything lookedp" Mr.. Murray
asked Lucille, as next day they strolled
| about the grounds and lake shore, just
as they had done before.
s'Oh, yes, the moment reached the
gateway; and while, of course, | was
| glad to see it so, it nearly killed me
with memories. thought could never
| bear to stay here" answered Lucille,
who still could not realize the wonder
| full truth that her lover, so long mourned
as dead was beside her.
| 81 reached here about six or eight
months after you left, and finding the
house just as you had left it. still in the
creditors hands, | purchased it, and
/ then began to look for You. Why, my
| darling. it seems to me that have ran
sacked the entire world in searching for
| you, and advertised fas and wide. How
could / have failed in finding youP"
Easily. Lloyd. We went so far and
among such entire strangers, and never,
save when | was out of work, and
looked at advertisements, did we see "A
paper. No one gave them to Us, and
| We could not afford even the cheapest
| And to think all that time you were
keeping the old home and looking for
met
She burst into passion of tears, pure
| ly joyful, and clung to him as if in ter
ror that the horrible past would prove
still reality, and the present but de-
lirious fieeting dream.
But the clasp of his arms. and the
sound of his tender voice, were very re-
assuring, and presently she was smiling
though her tears as he talked of what
they would do.
.And I'll whisper secret of Helen.
which she has perhaps not told you. She
goes to a home of her own in just 8
little while, and we viii have a double
wedding. and then. my darling, the old
home is once more your own-all youl
own-and you are all my own. aftel
years of waiting my own sweet. sweet
wifer'