St. Landry democrat., 1888-05-26

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"HoLRoYD GRAHAM SIR"
aristocratic face of the stranger in sur
prise.
"And who is this little maid.n lifting
Fredas chin and looking earnestly into thu
brown eyes so like those of the mother.
This is Freda sir, and we are twins"
replied wondering Holly.
And where is the mother this lovely
day!"
Mamma is sick, sir, and we are
afraid''-and the boyish face contracted
with swift spasm of pain, for even his
light heart had become Swallowed by the
knowledge that soon, only too soon, there
would be two graves in the green cemetery
to cherish
"And there is a Grace, too, is there
not!" and the strangers voice grew ten
der and pitiful as he thought of the little
letter in his desk at home, and earnestly
! wished he had come long ago.
but Grace must stay with mamma: she
coughs SO dreadfully we can not leave her
alone" replied Freda, timidly.
The unsuspicious children talked on
without thought of concealment, until
| the tall stranger was in full possession Of
| the family history, with its pitiful strug-
| giles and discOuragements, so far as they I'M
derstood them, and even Grace's self
denial in regard to the music lesson was re-
hearsed.
And | have kept my wealth and grudged
them helping hand in their needs
thought the old man, in bitter self-reproach
4" And now, my little man, do you know
who | am?' he asked aloud
" A very kind gentleman, am sure, sir"
replied Holly, modestly; his simple little
heart had never once guessed at the truth.
p" Have you never heard of your Grand
father Graham?"
"Oh, yes sir, but he is very angry with
US all, and has been unkind to u.s." replied
Holly, innocently.
But he will be unkind no longer" said
the old man, eagerly. Il am your grand
father, dear children, and, please God, the
past shall be atoned for in the future, and
now let us go to mamma and Grace.'
Who can be coming home with the chill
dren," said Grace, as she stood in the cot
tage door shading her eyes with her hand
from the brilliant sunlight. She formed q
pretty picture, her brown hair floating out
in the fresh breeze, her cheeks flushed
and her graceful form arrayed in light
dress, plain and cheap to be sure, but taste
fully and becomingly made.
Her quick intuition took in the possible
identity of the stranger, and fearing the eff
feet of the sudden surprise upon the
mother should her surmise prove correct.
she stepped out to the gate to meet tIe.n
ooh, Gracie," cried Holly, "this is
grandpa, and we met him at the cemetery"
He put out his slender white hand draw
ing her to him, and looking at her search
ingly. "My dear child, forgive me that 4
have left you to bear so much alone" he
said, gently, as he pressed kiss on her
fresh, young lips.
Grace looked up at the handsome old face
through mist of tears. Was this the
stern, cold grand-parent whom she had al
most learned to hate! Yes, but stern and
cold no longer; the first look into Holly's
face, so like the one he had loved so tender
ly, had broken down the last shred of preju-
dice and completed the work which the
loneliness of old age and the desolation of
his splendid home had commenced in his
heart. And Grace, as she saw the tender
light in the eyes looking down at
ler so pityingly, felt all her hard feelings
joWard him melting away, and longed to
weep out the griefs which she had borne so
alone upon his friendly bosom.
docs he come in peace or in anger?'
isked the widow, TREMENDOUSLY, when Grace
suddenly broke the unexpected news to her.
. In peace, daughter, and anxious to
make atonement for the long years of Bit
erness and neglect in the past, replied the
I'D man, who had heard the question and
for himself
This was the beginning of better DAYS
or the family; the mothers disease had
progressed so far that her case was hope
ess, but every thing which wealth and
owe codld procure was provided to allevi-
ate her sufferings, and when at last
er spirit took its flight, Holroyd Graham's
land closed the tired eyes and crossed
he weary hands over the breast which
you'd never more be disturbed by earthly
rejudices, or life's stern necessities
They laid her beside her soldier husband
4 Green Brookside, and then the orphans
7ere made ready for long trip among the
fountains to recover from the effects of
ne long confinement and the griefs and
nxieties of the past: and it was nearly
utumn before the old home mansion was
cached, and the great house echoed once
lore with young voices, and was bright
ned by loves warming atmosphere
The children became the very darling.
their grandfather's heart, and their
tucation, which poverty had seriously in
'rfered with, was resumed with renewed
,al, and Gracie's musical talent in partic-
lar was carefully cultivated, though no
niger necessity as means of support.
There is only one drawback to the COM
eteness OF their happiness, and that is the
fought that the dear mother can not shara
and Holroyd Graham signs as he thinks
the many years of happiness which. in
s cruel prejudice and unforgivino sn;,;+
has deprived himself of, and also thinks,
the many years of privation and suffer
g ne caused the gentle woman whom no
me to love so well, before she left him.
i'd the hard and unaccustomed tasks
hich, through his neglect, the feeble
'nds were forced to perform, when
me OF the wealth which he would never
we missed, and little of his love, which
ould have been hers by right, could hava
ade her life an easy and happy one.
MRS, j.. N HoWARn