The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1888-06-29
AN OLD MANS ROMANCE

that contact with men aud life which con-
duce,s TO h althful vigor.
y recluse and scholar, kindly, shy, alb
sent-minded man he had ever been, and
until recently, at least, one would SO have
$ id-ever would remain,
His slia ht bent figure and his mild blue
eyes in the clear-cut, clean-shaven face
were familiar TO all the children in the
village, who liked him for the sundry
small tips" lie was wont to bestow up-n
them, and wlose mothers woJ Id observe
that, bel x such a good man and so fcnd
of children, it was pity old Brent had
never married.
At these remarks Mrs. DAILY, his house
keeper, would screw up her nose in CON
tempt.
''It's Just him that's thinkin' of mar
rJin'l And who's he to marry? Some
neddlia' widow that would be for rulin'
him around n. his time of life? Or some
highty-tighty girl. that 'ud lead him
dance, a-racketin' him about. I guess
notr'
WELL" remarked one OF Mrs. Daly's
cronies one day, he's goin' to Letson's
pretty often, and there's the niece there
now, the one they call by that outlandish
n anne - Nenatia - Fination or some
thi :"
And true it was that Gaspar Brent
was going to Lessons very often Of late;
and also true, though he himself, poor
man, had been long time in finding it
out, that what he went for was a sight of
Nenetia Lessons sweet, fOwer-'ike young
face and her p nsive violet eyes-
When he did make the discovery the
experience was an extraordinary one TO
Brent. And that which made 10 extraor-
diuary was that 1T was the first of its
kind.
In ths begin ing he felt as though it
We're "a most u saCrilege for him to be go
ing there with this unacknowledged
feeling f-r the young girl in his heart.
But Neuetia had come 10 count upon
his visits and his gentle kindness made
litue sunshine for her, poor child
F0rthe Lessons, though worthy enough
reople in their way, were perhaps a little
hard On this young daughter OF a brother
who had always been improvident and IN
lucky, and had died at last, leaving moth
ing behind him but this pale-fa-ed slip of
= girl for them 10 care for.
And 50 for months Gaspar Brent had
walked over to the Letson place almost
every Gay, sometimes with n book for the
cirl, sometimes with a little bunch Of
aweet-- uclliu, flowers.
And she would generally be waiting for
him with n glad smile of welcome on her
tho sclf-abnegation of his honest, reyerent
b Art, GIsper Brent would have been con
tent TO hold this place of an old, tri-d,
and kind friend towards the young girl
70 the end Of the chapter, and doubtless
would 80 have done, had he not on coming
upon her suddenly one day, found her IN
tears.
Nenetia had tried TO conceal her emo
tion quickly, but ii was too late, and at
sight OF Gaspar Brent's kind questioning
eyes she had broken down again, and
sCbbed ont the story of her trials.
L was nothing very definite perhaps,
but Brent knew that this delicate young
p.sut was piniug away for the lack OF sun
shine and q fostering care. And seemed
irreuud.lblc, as she had no other friends
except in one way.
At the thought of this one way Gaspar
BrenJ's heart beat quickly. He cast a
glance ut the young creature who sat be-
side him, with her hands clasped list
lessly in her lap and the eyes seeming TO
look out into a ioyless future, and quite
suddenly he spoke.
Hs could give her n comfortable home,
and care. and-sh. now much love!-at
least.
When, a couple of hours later he walked
homcWards towards the pretty house
whica Mrs. Daly's care kept In a state of
order which could only be adequately de-
scribed by her own term of apple pie, )"
it seemed 20 Gaspar Brent as though all
the wo:ld were changed.
Surely the sky was very blue that day;
no never remembered to have seen it sc
blue, and the sunshine was certainly un-
usually brilliant, and what happy faces
people had as they passed himi
When he got home Mrs. Daily was wait
q. 4. f.,u rIa L. -,
and then looking into the broad expanse
of her hard, honest couutenance with a
smile that lit up all his mild thin feat
uves he said:
You must congratulate me, Mrs. DAILY.
you've been faithful to my service many
gears, and youll like 10 know, I'm sure,
Miss Lctson is going TO be my wife"
At the time Mrs. Daily found nothing to
say but Good Heavenst" which exclama-
ti0u she delivered herself of with consid-
erubie force.
And it was Just as we'll that her breath
failed her after this, for the next outburst
would assuredly have been:
well, / hope you won't have no cause
To rue the day nor the deed.'
Considering the disparity in years. It
did seem 20 Mrs. Daily that this result
could not fail 10 come about.
She continued in frame of mind for
the rest OF that day which could not by
any stretch OF imagination have been des-
ignated as amiable. To look forward to
being asked 70 abdicate from a position of
authority in an easy-gs-ing bachelors 5
household ut.Cr many years of devoted
serv.cs is that which, perhaps, mo Mrr
DAILY, however worthy, could be expected
10 do without some natural pang.
But, after all, the old woman's attach
allow selfish considerations to triumph
long.
When it was all settled. and Venetia, by
Gaspar Brent's wish, had come To the sol
itary old house in order to see il there
were any changes she would wish made
in IL, ere she became its mistress, Mrs.
DAILY took her by the hand. and looking
into the fair lily-like face, observed:
Well, you look Ike a good one, and I'm
going u hope that yOu are. The man you
are goin' to marry aiu't Jest as young as
another, maybe, but you kin get down on
your knees every night, and thank God
fur givin' You such a good husband.
There amt another such man outside o.
Christendom," concluded Mrs. DAILY
Eyes, know he is very, very good"
said Venetia softly and gratefully.
And hope you're properly fond OF
him." added Mrs. DAILY with keen look
Of inquiry.
And Nenetia, opening wide her violet
ere5, that were like child's for candOr
and innocence, replied with certain
son, Yes. OF course l am fond Of Mr.
Brent" The eyes filed with tears lie
has been my kindest friend
The two then. a friendly relation being
thus established, went over the house to-
gether.
..She's a good modest girl, I'm think
ing was Mr.. Daly's mental comment,
when Venetia's slim young figure had
tripped down the garden-walk- i nope
it'iI last II ever any man deserved a good
wife, he does"