Nevada County picayune., 1889-03-13


 continued: All the wealth of the Oaks might go at one sweep of for tunes wave, did the returning tide but bear Horace Winters love to me. But, alas cannot undo.
 ''God only knew and with Him 'all things were possible It might be yet-and tonight was the ami versary-what is it, John?'
 The polite servant stood at the open door with cap in hand.
 "There's all old man at the gate as wants cold bite, ma am, and cravin' shelter from the bitter night"
 An old man? Well, bring him into the sitting room below and l will see about it.
 Hepse sighed again. this time almost contentedly-if she could not comfort herself she could comfort another-and, following John down stairs. she waited. A tramp, pos sibly,' she said, wearily; but tramps have souls.
 An old, gray-haired man followed John into the pleasant comfort of cheery warmth.
 "You are hungry" Miss Seymour said the words with mist of sympa- thy in her dark eyes. Before her sat a shivering man, with the snow flakes sprinkling his whitened locks and poor attire. Despite his rough exterior, she felt instnctively that he was q man of culture and had seen better times.
 Yes, ma am, and very cold. The world hasn't a great deal it can spare to the unfortunate. He put his hand to his head and looked thought fully into the grate.
 lIepsie ordered something to eat and made no reply. Somehow the words opened wound she had fondly hoped was healed. Drawing aside the heavy crimson curtain she looked out once more into the night.
 And to-morroW ia St. Valentine Day n She said ihis involuntarilv and in an undertone to herself; but the old man by the hearth was listen ing He covered his face with his hands and sat very still, "God be merciful," She let go the curtain with this petition and turned toward the occupant of the hearth. He had also heard the prayer, but he made ua betrayal of his knowledge; he only raised his head, looked steadily into the grate and said, slowly: 1t must be such 't t'Ft a great blessing to the wealthy so satisfying" :"
 Il disagree with Yop," answered Hepsie, almost impatient!y.
 The old man gave little start, and without taking his gaze from the fire he asked Tn tones of astonished in- jury: "Can it be possible you are not happy in thls beautiful home!'
 Hepsie looked at him pityinglyl
 1t can be and is possible l" then with quivering lips sine quoted: {: "'The heart knoweth it's own bitter ness. '"
 Forgive me Y" said the old man hastily; my seliishness, fear, led me to wrong views, " ! Miss Seymour made no reply, and Jane coming in at that moment with a bountiful-loaded tray, the conver- sation was dropped.
 Would you please carry this bit ot paper to your mistressf" timidly asked the wayfarer of John, as he showed him his room for the night. 1 John took the paper without q word. Evidently this was a crazy old wanderer, but he would humor him. Then, after bidding him good night, he left the old fellow sitting on the edge of the bed with a strange look 9p his face.
 Miss Seymour took the scrap of paper with curious misgivings. Why should an utter stranger write her a note! Had she, in her resolve to be kind, but let terrible character into her house? No; he was only des- titute old man, that was all.
 She opened the crumpled note and staggered back, reeling into a seat with short, little cry.
 The alarmed servant rushed for ward. .Great Heaven. ma'am, are you dyingT
 No; oaly so glad John this bit