Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1888-06-30
LOVE At SECOND SIGHT.

asked a tender young voice. Is your
head any better?n
No, Mabel. 1t aches and aches, until
l almost wish could die. Lay your hand
here"
Mabeps cheek paled as her mother took
her hand and pressed it against her burn
ing temple.
Such fire would soon burn out life's
aickering taper.
She wet cloth and bound it round the
fevered head. As she did so the sick wo-
man gave sigh Of relief. She opened
her eyes and turned grateful look upon
the girl
Do you know, Mabel" she said feebly,
/ dreamed last night of the dear old
home where we lived before your father
died. You we're wee toddling baby
then. 1t seems to me if | could have some
Of the flowers that grew in the garden in
front of the house the very smell Of them
would cure me"
Tears rushed to MabePs eyes. They
lived in the great crowded city, and they
were poor. Mabel could not spare from
her scanty board even the trihing sum for
which she could buy a bunch of flowers
from the vendors who were stationed at SO
many different places along the street.
How could she get some of the fragrant
treasures for her mother?
Suddenly came a thought of an old-fash-
Toned mansion a little way out of the city.
1t was uncovered in wilderness of bloom.
Surely it would be no harm for her to 90
and ask for some flowers; they could but
refuse them.
She bent over the invalid and kissed
her
Mother" she said softly, IF you will
be content to stay alone for a few hours |
think l can crafty your longing, if not
for the blossoms that grow about your old
home, for some just like them | will ask
Mrs. Gray to come in and give you your
medicine regularly"
Mrs. Gray was a kind hearted woman
who occupied a part of the house in which
they lived, and she readily consented to
minister to the invalid's comfort in any
way she could during Mabel's absence.
1t was not without tremor that Mabel
at last found herself in q broad, neatly
kept path which led to the Gwinne man
sion.
A huge mastitf sprang toward her as she
neared the house.
Down, Nerol Down.
The speaker was an old gentleman, who
evidently feared that the approach of the
dog would intimidate Mabel. But Nero
contented himself with a good-natured
sniff, reserving his fiercer side for more
suspicious party.
His master looked pleased to see Mabel
pat his head fearlessly. The truth was,
now that she was in the presence of the
stately old master of the place, her heart
failed her, and she was glad of an excuse
to defer asking for the flowers.
Well, miss" he said courteously, "can
/ do anything to put You in the way of
finding the person you are seeking ?"
1t is you, sir. | came to ask you for
some flowers for my sick mother"
"Pick all you want. The more the bet
ter. You are welcome to all you can
carry"
Just then Mabel heard clear, ringing
voice shout: Grandchildren and out of
the cool, tiled hall, of which an enchant-
ing glimpse was visible through the open
door, came youth who looked to her like
some prince from fairly land.
She was not accustomed to the luxurious
habits of the rich, and his dark-blue velvet
dressing gown, fastened by its cord of SHIN
mering, woven gold, and the richly en-
broidered smoking cap which rested on his
curly head, seemed to her altogether too
gorgeous a toilet for mortal like herself.
But the allusion only lasted for mo-
ment. A pair of brown eyes, Just the color
of a ripe chestnut, glanced at her curiously
as their owner came down the walk.
You are just the one want Chauncev.
Get my pruning-shears and basket off
the table in the lower hall, and bring
them to me"
Chauncey soon returned with the de-
sired articles, and Mabel found herself fol-
lowing Mr.. Gwiune into the garden. She
was soon laden with fragrant spoils, and
was sent homeward rejoicing with a kindly
Come again when these are faded"
from Mr.. Gwinne
When Mabel reached home and her
mother saw the flowers, she put out her
hands with delighted exclamation,
Give them to me, child, quick The
very sight of them gives me new strength
And when Mabel put the fragrant clus-
tiers into her hands she held them to her
face IN mute careSs.
After while she turned her eyes upon
Mabel, with look in them which startled
the girl by its intensity.
She was not like Mabel, who was slight
and pale, and who looked even more child
ish than her years, with only her heavy
mass of ripping curls and her dark, APP
peallng eyes to redeem her face from abso-
Lutte plainneSs. She had evidently once
been woman of queenly form and of mag
nifcent beauty. Even now her great fe-
yer-bright eyes and hollow cheeks bore a
w;erd, specter like semblance of health. but
II was delusive.
My darling" she whispered, "you
have brought me blessing, and you shall
be rewarded. Tomorrow | will throw
pride to the winds, and dictate letter to
my father which shall restore my child to
her rights. Oh, Mabel, nature is an uner-
ring teacher, and in your love and obedi-
ence to me | have, at this late day, learned
a lesson of duty. | was, when young, care
fully educated in all but that most import
ant of lessons to a child, filial obedience. |
was brought up TO think that my own
wishes must be gratiied at any cost; and
when met and loved your father, instead
of waiting patiently to gain a consent
which my indulgent parents could not
have long withheld to our union, we were
married clandestinely. Ny one effort at
reconciliation was not successful-and-
and. But, darling, / am too weary to
say more. Another day l will finish my
story"
But when the morrow's sun shone into
the room, it was to rest, like voiceless
benediction, upon a clay-cold form, and
upon motherless girl alone with it and
her sorrow.
At first the desolate child-for Mabel
was but 14-was conscious only of her be-
reavement But soon came thought
which brought with it such keen pain that
it aroused her to instant action. Her darl-
ing mother mus not be laid away to rest
in the Potter's Field She would 60 to
the kind old gentleman who had given
her the flowers, and ask him for help in
this trying hour which had come to her
young life She found him at home
"Oh, sirr' she said piteously, my
mother is lying cold and still, with all the
sweet life gone out of her beautiful body :
You are kind and rich. | know it is a
great deal to ask, but if you will keep
them from laying her in eharity-grsye