Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1888-11-03

all the human lives aboard n noble
vessel which was shipwrecked of our
coast. 1t was just after | had lost
you, and | begged TO have the pretty
creature given to me The things she
wore were marked ''Elfreda;' so she
has her own rightful name, though
it's grown into "Freda,n for short.
I've got u chain and locket which she
wore round her baby neck. It's gold,
with shiny stones round it,, I've kept
EN- under lock and key till she should
grow up, but my hearts failed me to
tell her she was not really my own
kith and kin, so she's eve seen en-
Lieutenant Ellerton, the tall, fair
haired young man who had so en-
crossed Freda's attention upon his
entrance, had been listening with keen
interest to the story of the girls ORR
gin. At the name of Elfreda he gave
a sudden start, and said. with evident
agitation:
do you know the name of the lost
vessel?n
at was thought to be the ocean
Queen, as hat was printed on some OF
the bales of merchandise that were
washed ashore
"And it was reported that not a life
was saved. pray you, get me the
locket,n he continued. at is from no
idle curiosity | ask. Oh, that my
hopes may not prove unfounded!' And
he walked the floor impatiently until
the DANES return.
An intensely sympathizing group
awaited the denouement, Why was
Lieutenant Ellerton so strangely agi-
tated? What interest could he have
in the s~hipwrecked maiden? All was
soon explained. The trinket was of
antique gold, set in brilliants, which
We're a fortune in themselves.
Ellerton took it with trembling fin
gers, touched a spring, and it opened,
showing two portraits-one of an eX-
quisitely beautiful woman, the other
of a dark, handsome young man in
naval uniform. Then, from a small,
jeweled casket within an inner pocket,
he drew forth a fac smile of Elfreda's
locket, and placed the two side by side
upon the table, There was a moment
of intense silence. Then, Ellerton
turned and opened his arms with the
one word "SiStcr' upon his lips.
Freda needed no second bidding.
The ties of kindred had been Juggling
at her heart-strings from the first mo-
ment her eyes had rested upon his
face, and the voice of nature was all
powerful, 1t was a happy meeting for
the brother and sister-the only two
left of the family.
Harold Ellerton had remained with
grandparents when his parents
had embarked with his baby sister on
their Inflated voyage. The news of
their loss had resulted fatally to his
aged guardians, and the boy had
grown to manhood poor in love of
kindred, though rich in lands and
gold; and it was the purest joy his life
had known to find this lovely, pure,
young sister in her cottage home, I'M
trained, it is true, but with a natural
and dignity of bearing to which
effect of the coming culture and
education would be as the %lapidary's
art to the uncut diamond.
In after years, when the impression
made upon his friend Colonel Maynard
by Elfreda at their first meeting had
deepened into that love which counts
"the world well lost if only the
hearts best treasure is gained, Harold
Ellerton still rejoiced, His ties of
consanguinity were only deepening
and charging. He had gained y
noble, true-souled brother.
The sun of prosperity gilds the de-
days Of the good old couple IN
their island home, and once a year
their lives are frightened by a visit
the fostcr-children whose true
histories read so like Il rOmancc.-N.
Y. Ledger.