The Wilmingtonian., 1886-07-31

ually king my way to clerkship, wlerc
| was when my uncle died and left me inde
pendent. But in the years of poverty and
toll, Marian, my fathers brother gave me
no aid trom his full purse, and inherit his
fortune only because he died without Will
and his nearest relative, his only brothers
only child 1t was from my mothers sister,
a widow poor as myself, that my boy hood
bad loving care and tenderness. My aunt
Cora, widow with one child supported her
self by sewing, but she gave me room in her
tiny house, shared her scanty food with me
taught me after was obliged to leave
school, and gave me as tender case as she
gave her own daughter Minpe
81 repaid her love by my own sincere
affection, and, as grew older, tried to fill a
sons place to her, brothers. to Minute,
We were happy in spite of our poverty, rn-
til year ago, when terrible misfortune
fell upon us My aunt's little house all she
could call her own in the world caught re-
and was totally destroyed with everything it
contained. Worst Of all, Aut Clara herself
in trying to save some of her clothing, was
|
face. For several months she lay in the hos
pital, suffering tortures, but she recovered
at last, most dreadfully disfigured for life.
1--WE were all boarding in New York
when the news of my uncle's death reached
me, and ! came to Keyport. 1t took me
some weeks to prove my claims, to take
poss 'ssion of my inner tance, but as my hands
were free | was anxious to have my aunt
share my prosperity. | wrote to her, ur-
glng by every loving word at my command
to share my home, telling her of yourgentlc-
ness, Marian, and my hope Of winning your
love for her as well as my own. She answer
cd me, refusing my offer. Her terrible mis-
fortune has made her morbidly anxious to
avoid strangers, and in my home she was
sure to meet them.
"lf, she wrote, 'yon could give me tiny
cottage, where could hear the sea, and ret
the pure air without meeting strangers
would come, but not To your grand hougc,
Frank"
Upon this HUT | acted. had such
cottage of my own, and it was empty. /
sent to New York for papercrs, uphol,terers
and painters, and had the house made as
pretty as possible. Then | .uaxcd again.
and this time more successfully, for aunt
Clara and Minnie, with old Hannah. their
servant came to take possession.
'Since they have been here 7 have tried
to alleviate aunt Clara's suffering by every
means in my power. She is fond of muse.
aud Minnie has a iin3 piano to touch for her.
She loves books and flowers, and | send
them to her daily. But not until to-day
have l been able to overcome her morbid de
sire for seclusion, so far as to obtain leave to
bring you to call. Only tais morning !
pleaded in vain, but this afternoon She sent
me little note asking me to bring YOU to
see her.
'Will you 20 Marian. You will see face
that will shock you by its dreadful sea- S, but
you will fiud heart Of pure gold under the
fright-mask. Aud will you be sister to
Minnie for my sake? She is dear, good
girl, Marian, and you will soon love her, |
AMI sure"
II shall be glad to 80 with you, Frank,
and we must try to have your aunt receive
Hester, and we can coax Minnie out, when
my sister is at the cottage. "Oh, Frank"
and tie brown eyes grew misty with tears
81 am Sc sorry for your aunt 1t must be
tolrib'cr'
It is terrible. Shs was il H,ry handsome ,
woman before the fire. a motured iRcne,s of
Minnie, aud Minnie is beautiful T.
50 hcard!" said Marian
Have you seen bo.? She DOES not 90
out yct, but is in the galden sometimes"
81 have not seen her But Miss belmont,
who lives nearly opposite Myrtle Hill, told
me she was lovely"
Marian !" cried Frank as a sudden sus
picion flsl cd across his btaiu, Hhat else did
G tell you? ncver thought Of the miscou-
stmction that might be put upon my visits
to the cottage till this minute. remember
now how often have seen Miss belmont at
the window as passed TO and from the cot
tage, Did She tell You sent fruit and fl W. |
els there, aud that kissed Minnie, my sis
ter in all but name from babyhood?
"Alarian's face was sufficient answer to
Frank eager questions; but the brown cy, +
met his own icarlcsSly and frankly, as he
asked
And did you doubt me, Marian9
Hester t"l.l me to trust you, Far.k and
did trust you fully, Had you thought
best to keep your secret longer, should not
have questioned you.
The horses stopped before the little cottape
as She spoke and her lovers only reply was
look of loving gratitude. Minnie stood at
the door waiting for theG, and Marian gave
her warm, sstcrly embrace thinking her
face one of the lov'li,st she had ever secr,
and wondering little how Frauk's love
could ever have straSed away from lis own
home.
Two hours latter, Cemcntfua belmont.
who had been nursing sick headache iii
the afternoon, opened her bed room window
for breath of fresh air Hrrn.oher i,incd
her as she cric
IL declare Here are Frank Brmlshaw's
bay horses and his opru carriage in front of
the cottage wonder il he is goin.. to tax,
that gill 10 riiNc. guess that viii opc,
Marian'S Eyes. They are coming out NOW.
No! at is Marian with him, aud they
are both kissing the gill. VINO can She
be- lie has 10 SISTER, | know. Do see
Marian holding hrr hand and talking AS
lovely as II She HAD known her nl hnr IN,