The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1889-06-22

on there were often months when he
never thought of his old love and
when he took George Scott into his
employ, her image was entirely
buried under the varied interests of
his career of professional usefulness
and political interest.
But the boy stirred new we'll
springs in his heart, of love and gen.
tleness. He was quiet child, with
an active brain, but delicate consti-
tuition, one of the frail little ones
who seem utterly unfit to cope with
the trials and sorrows of this hard
world. Willing, respected and gen.
tlemanly, he was trusted with many
errands that Mr.. Meredith would
have hesitated to give boy of less
refinement and intelligence. and his
gratitude made him ever eager to
please his kind friend.
Winter was oyer. and April winds
weeping over the city, when one
day Mr.. Meredith sat waiting an an
swer to note. in state of wonder
ing Impotence. 1t was something
altogether new for George to loiter on
the way, or to neglect any detail Of
an Grand. Yet he had been sent on
mission that need not occupy twen-
ty minutes and three hours had
elapsed without his return.
Impotence was giving away to un-
easiness, when policeman presented
himself.
"Lad employed here named Scott?
he asked.
Eyes. What has happened ?"
"Knocked down by a runaway
team badly hurt. We took him
home, and he wanted me to let you
know why he was away"
"Thanks. 1 will go to him."
He took up his hat as he spoke,
wondering himself at the thrill of
pain at his heart. He knew then that
he loved the boy as he had not loved
any one for many long years. The
lads own sweetness, with the eyes
that were memory of his mother,
had endeared him to the worli.wOrn
lawyer. till it was with positive pain
he bent over the he'd and saw the lit.
tie face white and drawn with agony.
MY poor boy ~ he said tendefly,
"What can l do for you ?"
Ibid mother 60 away ?" the child
whispered, "she said l might see You
alone"
"There is no person here but our
selves"
Maybe I'm wicked,''~'tne cniId
said. "because mother told me not to
tell you what l am going to tell you
now. No, please don't stop me. Pm
badly hurt, sir. and 1 may die. and
mother may be all alone and so I
want to tell you that she knew you
once. many years ago. and that my
name is George Meredith Scott. I
am named for you, sir; and mothers
told me so much about you, and how
good you always were. that am sure
you will be kind to her if 1 die"
"You may be sure. George, that
while l live your mother will not
want FRIEND"
Presently she came in, a pale shad-
ow of his brilliant young love, and
yet when they greeted each other the
voices of both were unsteady, and in
each heart was memory that made
the meeting at once pain and a joy.
Over the little bed where George
lay for weeks in patient suffering.
George Meredith once more let his
heart expand to new hope. loving
with deep, protecting affection his
love of long ago.
And the woman who had once
thought life was to be all brightness,
and who had shrunk from even
shadow on her path. knew at last what
heart she had once rejected. That he
could love her once again, with her
beauty faded, her life broken by sor-
row. did not occur to her. though she
knew that her passionate gratitude 10
him had long been love, deep, sincere
love, such as she had thought buried
forever in her husbands grave.
1t was in their first grateful Joy
over DR.. Turner's assurance that
George was out CT danger and would
entirely rec oyer, that these two long
separated hearts met at last.
They scarcely could have told
themselves in what words they ex-
changed VOWS of fidelity and love,
but in Mrs. Scott's heart there was
not one thought of the worldly gain
that would follow her marriage, and
George Meredith knew that for love,
and by love alone, his wife was won
at last.
In all good things this world could
have been much farther on than it is,