Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1889-05-24

cha racterized the face OF Dis
brother.
He had learned the carpenters
trade, and was now, at the age OF
twenty-five, just entering Business
on his own account as a builder.
Ws there anything can do for
you at the village ~ the eldest son
asked, as he came near to where
his mother stood on the doorstep
ayes, Jack, if it would not be
too much trouble for you to bring
no me a small bundle for me-
"Can lift it 7"
ats a small, square band box,
with a silk dress in it,
"TrOuble you dear mother
Can any thing can do for you be
20 me ever trouble. When 1T Is,
YOU can set me down for a BRUTE
OF a crazy man. But where am l
to find tt"
"At Mrs. Stickney's. She VIII
have it all ready for you.'
ga 81 TX dress When will you
wear it, mother"
ttPeshans tomorrow
sch ! What's to come oil them
Is it company, or are you going
away :"
"Jack, expect Ella Mason will
be with US on the morrow"
The young man brought deep,
quick breath, and a heavy sigh, all
Of which was clearly seen by a pair
of bright eyes that looked out from
the cottage, through the intricacies
of the latticed vines.
"well, well,' said honest Jack,
after a pause, "she'll make the old
home seem like a corner of heaven
and l suppose Harry'll spruce up a
bit, aud put on a little gcod ma.
ture. She can be nothing to me
but may God and all the good
angels bless her, nevertheless. Give
me a kiss, mother. You don't
know how well you look"
"Who could help looking well,
with such a son, dear Jack I"
"Bah ! If l am in any degree
worthy, 1 don't forget that its to
the very best mother in the world
owe it ! There By.bye "
And he was gone.
And the mother went back into
her pleasant sitting. room, there to
join a fair faced. golden haired,
blue-eyed damsel, who had been
an unseen spectator and witness
of the scenes we have depicted.
She had come from the railway
station about an hour before,
brought by private conveyance,
with a veil over her face, and Mrs.
Stevens alone, of the people
about, knew OF her arrival.
Both John aud Henry we're ex-
pecting her to come to them on a
visit ere long, bat no time had
been set.
All little did either of them
dream that her eyes had beheld
and her ears heard them both on
that day.
Ella Mason was the present
visitor.
She was twenty years of age
healthful, happy, laughter loving
girl, honest and true, and beautiful
enough to turn the heads and warm
the hearts of a majority of the
young men who became acquainted
with her.
She was an orphan, her mother
having died during her early child
hood /; her father remaining with
her-or at least, alive to care for
her-until she reached her eieh h.
teenth year.
Mr., Mason's business had called
him abroad great deal, and as
he could not make home for his
child, he had given her into the
care of Mrs. Stevens, VIII ON he
had known for many years, and in
whom he had entire conflden ce.
And we may remark here, when
the will of Mr.. Mason was opened
after his death, it was found that
he left his daughter, Ella, hei ress
to fifty thousand pounds.
From the age of ten to the Nge
of eighteen, Ella Mason had been
reared in the Widow SteYen g
family, in close companionship with
her sons, John and Henry.
And who can wonder that both
the boys came TO love her 7
The love Of the younger and the
hsndsOmer son Henry, was bold
and OutspOken.
He seemed to fancy himself the
lawful pOssesSor and, perhaps,
he deemed himself invincible.
He had never directly asked her
to be his wife, though he had
very plainly intImated to her that
he should do 80 when the proper
time was come.
The love of John was more like
worship, distant and silent.
He carried the dear image in his
heart, praying always that her life
might be blessed and happy ; but
he dared not hope that he could
eyer make 1t 80.
And how was 1t with dear Ella
herself.
CertainlV, during the early years,