Iron County register., 1889-12-19

This look had no power to move the
clouded mind to any effort Of remembrance,
and he took the offered hand in the matter
of-fact way in which he greeted all
strangers.
"a daughter and son, both in one hour -
he said, shaking his head in perplexity,
s.It's strange world, rery strange
worldr'
Isabel turned away to hide her tears; it
was bitter disappointment; although she
had told herself so many times how it must
inevitably be, yet she had, in spite of all,
cherished a hope that it might be better
than she feared.
sThen who is this?" he said, gently, as
Oracle came springing in to her father s
side; her eyes aglow with interest in an
aviary which Tom, a little colored boy, who
had been detailed to entertain her, had been
showing her. She stood by his side in blush
ing confusion, as the strangers eyes were
bent upon her in min gled surprise and in
quiry.
''This is my little daughter" said Mr.. Fal-
coner, drawing her to him tenderly. "Wlll
you not go and give the gentleman your
hand, my deara" he continued, kindly.
She looked at the strange face steadily,
but something in the kind eyes, so vague
and yet so inquiring, struck her childish
fancy, and she left her fathers side read
lily, and held out her little hand to him in
childish trust. He took it in his and looked
at her wistfully. 81 never had a little daugh-
ter" he said, pitifully, looking over at Isa-
bel as she stood with her head turned
away.
1t was evidently difficult for HIM to grasp
the idea of a grown-up daughter with a
family, and if in his darkened mind he had
formed an idea of what the daughter which
Major Darlington had told him of would be
like, it was that she would be q little chilo
like Oracle.
He looked at her tenderly, and sitting
down he took her on his knee and kissed
her. Major Carring gton looked at him in
surprise, for since his injury he had never
noticed child, and his affectionate nature
had seemed to be buried in the g,ave of the
past.
/. Oracle was very affectionate child, and
as she saw the sad, puzzled expression on
the face of her new acquaintance, she
reached her little arm around his neck,
saying sweetly: Il will be your little
daughter, sir, if you wish me to-" looking
to her father for his approval.
He nodded kindly, and she prattled on,
her sweet voice evidently acting on the
clouded mind like music, for he listened
intently while she told him how Tom had
shown her the big green parrot who had
spoken her name, and told her solemnly
that Polly wanted a cracker, and how the
mocking- bird had sung the same song which
Linnet sang at home.
Isabel had conquered her emotion, and
turning viewed the scene with renewed
hope that the little child might be the agen
cy through which her fathers mind might
find light, for she could not give up the
Z 1Nr,.
rift in the dark cloud which obscured it.
"Come, Alicia, let us go and see the rab
bits" he said to the child, mildly, as he put
her from his knee and rose to his feet.
s.But, sir, my name is Gracie,'' she said
as he took her hand.
eyes, yes, Oracle Alicia; it has swee
sound, hasn't it, little daughter:" and the
! great and small child passed out together
! she looking up at him with mute, wondering
| eyes, he looking down at her with a tender
! protective air, without thought or look fol
the real dau ghter, VINO looked after him witt
heart almost bursting with grief and dis
| appointed affection.
| '.How did he receive you, dearie:' sale
the little grandmother, coming in as the
pair went out at the hall door. The grouI
in the parlor had been in a quiver of curlou:
expectancy since they had seen the tall form
enter the library.
| A burst of tears was the answer, as Isa
bel laid her head on the loving little shoul
der and burst into tears, sobbing out hel
| grief. "Oh, grandmamma. he did not owl
me at all, and have longed for him sop
The small, jeweled hand moved caressing
| ly over the. hair, the same motion which hat
contested the beautiful young mother il
the years past, and the sweet, tremulou:
voice said, tend erly: 'Then, my dearest
we must love you the more to compensate
for his lack of recognition. How he woult
dote on you if he were only himself, for HI
has such a loving heart, my poor Chester" "
and she sighed deeply.
81 assure you, my dear niece, am sur
prised and gratified at the result Of th'
meeting" said Major Darlington, encour
agingly. 81 think the interest he has takel
in the child is really remarkable. 1t is
marked departure from his ordinary de
meanor, and if there is any hope for him !
may come through her."
| ''Let US hope so, at least" said Mr.. Fal
coner, kindly. After all, my dear, it i
not surprising that your father failed t
grasp the idea of the relationship, when i
he had any tleeting recollections of havin:
daughter, he must naturally think of he
as a babe or little child.'
'Yes, presume so, and will try and b
patient and brave" She raised her hea'
and wiped away the tears resolutely. IA
least will not cloud dear grandmanma'
face with my griefs," and she patted tn
aged check tenderly; she was such Httl
grandmother, that it seemed as natural t
pet and caress her as if she had been
child.
'.Chester did not comprehend Isabel
identity as we hoped he might" said tn
Major, as they went back to the drawing