The Durham recorder. [volume] (Durham, N.C.) 1879-19??, 1889-10-02

night, and the twenty dollars wasin
the purse in the gripsack's inmost
pocket.
ut does seem," thought
Statira, leaving little Ned asleep in
his crib, las if / am really to have
this happiness. We all are we'll;
Mollie so bright and capable since
she came home, and everyone is so
kind about wishing me to go! |
know it will do me a great deal of
good, aud | hop it will make me
more helpful to Others"
And with this aspiration came a
thought of her own very dear and
private ambition. She had written
il few delicate and tender sketches,
with actual experience for their
foundation, which had been printed,
and she expected to meet an artist
in Philadelphia who was to consult
with her, under the direction of a
well-known publisher, in regard t.
illustrating a Christmas story. Un-
less the decision was made at once,
it would be too late to have the
affair completed for the next holiday
season. That the hoped-for good
fortune would be of benefit as an
earnest Of future opportunity in do
ing the work she liked best, and in
which she thought she could be use
full as well as happy, she understood
thoroughly, and she was very thank
full that way seemed opening for
her willing feet. perhaps | can
take all the expense of sending the
little ones to a good school, by and
by, and it Will be so good for father
to feel able TO rest even a little, once
a year, she thought.
And just then the bell rangsharp-
ly.
How many hearts thrill painfully
at the sudden iangle that almost
tells unwelcome tidings.
Statira was breathless for an in
slant; then she flew to the door. A
tall figure dressed in dark blue stood
on the broad upper step, and a soft
voice said:
II am Lucy Saxon, and | must
ask you to receive me. think YOU
are Miss Brooke"
"Yes," said the dazed Statira, who
had never heard Of Lucy Saxon.
"Will you come in?" she asked.
"fes, certainly" said the stranger
smiled little as she saw the sober
face of the young girl who, after
the first surprise faded, was as gent
" as heart could wish, asking no
questions Of her composed guest.
But when a cup OF hot coffee and
slice Of bread and butter had re-
freshed the intruder aud from her
odd basket-truDks had appeared a
careful toilet which made the plain
woman a very elegant lady, she said
TO her hostess: Now, my child, we
will have a little talk. DO you re-
member your fathers brother. who
lplucked you from under a horses
feet when YOU were three years old?"
Il can just remember him." said
State.
"And have You heard him men-
toned during the past dozen years,
or did you ever hear of his wife?"
Statira had TO say no to both
Questions. She knew that there had
been u disagreement in her fathers
family, but the circumstances had
not been related to any Of the chill.
dren.
poor Bob said the visitor, sigh.
ling. "Well, my dear, your father
is quite right to say nothing. Ht
had some cause to feel aggrieved
with both his brother and my sister
| am your Aunt Ellen's sister," sh,
said, with a sudden sweet smile
"but am only twelve years oldel
than you, Statira, and when yor
we're a bit Of two years you called
me Lucy"
Statira could only stare and blusl
now, although she had a good laugl
at herself afterward.
III have just come from Vienna.
said Miss Saxon, ''and | must sta,
with you until Tuesday, when
think You will have to 90 TO Wor
cester with me, aud carry the baby
Il is o little boy, | think"
AYES" Statira. And Tuesday wa
after Monday, and the delegate
, were TO go on Monday, and Wor
cester aud little Ned, and--oh dear
what didit all meant She wasreall
: a little faint.
e "Why, bless the childI" said Mis-
. Saxon; "there's nothing 10 worr
4 about, dear;" and she had the tired
frightened girl on q lounge Will
d she spoke. my dear little girl, "
$ are going to see IL we cannot Civ