The Iowa plain dealer. [volume] (New Oregon, Howard County, Iowa) 1867-1895, 1889-08-08

ut 10 that you spare Isabel TO ne sloss
for one day." she said, pleadingly. cit IL
IN old woman's whim, know, but want
my Alicia's child al to myself for one
sweet day." She looked IN his face, her
hne eyes moist with feeling.
ITO be sure" he answered her, heartily
and sympatheticaily. .Who could refuse
such . natural requests"
.s6uch funny gentleman" said Gracie.
- she sat BY Isabels side before retiring.
Mrs. Darlington had spoken with Isabel Of
the matter, and LiEetfc was to take charge
Of the little girl during their stay, but she
had not yet appeared. He called me
Alicia all tho time, and be said he had often
dreamed he had little girl like me. but he
had never found her before"
.'T.et us hope on, dear wife, said Mr..
Falconer. III he can not sec AZ we wish.
the child may be great blessing TO him.
II will be patient" She looked up ut him
with sad eyes and . quivering lip. Il can
ut least imagine what = fathers love might
have been"
From that time the child was the con-
slant companion Of Chester Darlington.
and, with Pompey in the rear to look after
their safety. took long walks over the plan
tation. visiting the negro cabins and enter.
ing into their simple lives with childish
zest.
Oracle had never before come in close
contact with the race. and they were .
source Of great curiosity and pleasure 4
her, rs she listened to their quaint songs
and tales.
Maum Dinah. the second cook in the
establishment, always had choice bit laid
away for ..little missy." for child was Q
great treat on the place, and every one Of
them were ready and willing at any time L
do her favor, or contribute to her enter
tainment.
Mrs. Pembrokes carriage came for lisa
bel very soon after the first days visit, anc
IL she had felt emotion on entering the home
Of the Carringtons, she was doubly affected
when she found herself in the home which
had seen her mothers childhood, and from
whence she had gone out, beautiful, JOY
GUS bride, to her husbands home.
Mrs. Pembroke was ut the door to meet
her, and she seemed more lovable and win
ming even than before In her own home.
Tho house, though not 50 large as that O,
the Carringtons, was still ample, and III.
SCIS0uSS NCEC 1CNCIs uCiuB NulCuy Vlu *
tainers who refused to leave their mistress:
after the fortunes of war had made then
free.
This picture of Alicia was taken JUS
after her MARRIAGE" said Mrs. Pembroke
It was . beautiful oil picture Of the fair
young mother, taken in her white wedding
dress, the misty folds Of the bridal vail fall
| ing about her with lovely effect.
s.How sweet, how fair said Isabel, look
| ing at it with tenderness. How she loved
| the memory Of this beautiful mother, whose
| life had ended 30 soon.
The beauty OF her face was only cqualleC
| by the loneliness Of her character" replied
| Mrs. Pembroke; snone could know her
without loving her; but now, my dear. ]
must know oil about yourself; to be sure
Major Darlington has given me an outline
Of your history, but want TO know youi
inner life. your heart. dear child"
/ They were sitting in a lovely little bou
doir, one which Alicia had loved in her girl
hood: Mrs. Pembroke sat in widc-armeo
| rocker, and Isabel, on low, wide foot-stoo
at her feet, leaned against her In confiden
tial fashion - she told her of her early
trials, - q child, in her aunt's home. u
Mime. Arnot's, and of her sudden marriage.
and the visit to the lonely grave of Alicia
who looked down smilingly upon them IL
her bridal array.
"And these dear hands have been prickee
with needles, and forced 10 mental labors
All! the sad shame Of it, said the old lady
taking Isabels hands and caressing them
, fondly.
.But. indeed, grandmamma, the needle,
did not prick my hands nearly so bod as thu
unkind tongues did my heart" said Isabel
.'But you have no unkind tongues in you,
home now" and the old lady locked at heI
1 inqniringiv. .'This husband of yours. ha.
i he no faults!'
"lf he has he IL very successful in hiding
/ then," replied Isabel; The il all kindness
and tenderness toward me- and then she
| told OF Lottie and her gentle, dove like char
acter.
"And she was q shop girl, too; you di,
/ well to remember her. / am glad YOU car
not forget your friends" and the soft little
hands caressed again the bowed head
| II could not be content to have these
riches without trying to do good with them
to make others happy A. well ~ myself
replied Isabel, earnestly.
quite right, DEAR" and the small hcae
nodded approvingly: shut / can not hell
feeling that this woman whom you have
called aunt has been much to blame, tina.
shc did not advertise or search for us IL
some way"
"But, dear grandmamma, remember, she
was 30 crushed, % sad and Believing as shs
did that my father hai bccn allied, she has
SO little to direct her in her search; sh.
was bitterly poor. too, and could scarcel,
have paid for an advertisement" Isabel pro
tested, eagerly, for she coaid not bear IL
have her second mother blamed.
''Thst is right, child. defenG those VIII,
have been kind to you,' and the kind hant
patted her shoulder.
And now, granGmamma, tell me Of your
self, said Isabel; Il long to know Of your
life, Also
"After Alicia left US we were very lonely
but she was SO near we could visit hei
very often. and we were SO happy in seeint
her happiness that we could not regret hel
marriage
1 You mean my Grandfather Pembroke
and yourself!'
H Yes. dear; how wish you could have
| known him; one Of the nobiest Of men,
replied Mrs. Pembroke, with a sigh. IL
was not long, however, before she began I.
show signs OF failing health. and her ply
sicians advised the trip to the North which
! resulted so disastrously. Il seemed as j.
my heart would break when j saw her n
away-so frail. vet so hopcful--but as faith
| full Chloe. who had nurscd her from an infant
went with her, knew she would not suffer
any lack Of care, and tried to think it wa,
/ for the best, but / have regretted SO terri
bly, since that since she must die she coul.
not have stayed and died in her mother.
arms.''
at is 50 natural for the sick to grasp a,
| every straw of possible relief" said Isabel
Yes. and Chester would have taken hel
to the ends Of the earth on the shadow Of |.
hope, he was 50 nearly frantic when h.
learned that her disease was = dangerou.
one; then the war broke out in all its
strength, and had one letter saying that
they had come to the town where she died
and then that you were born and after that.
silence, terrible silence, until it seemed as
| il should die with suspense and dread.
was all alone with the exception Of the
/ servants, for your grandfather had joinc,
the army at the first alarm Of real war; The
! -.