The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1889-10-25

to have found you at last" as the happy
tears rose to her eyes.
The old lady held her off at arms length,
and looked at her through a mist of tears.
"You are more Darlington than Penn
broke" she said at last, brokenly, shut
can see my Alicia's beautiful hair and her
lovely eyes"
'And 1 hope, dear grandmamma, you
may find Alicia's heart also," said Isabel,
patting the wrinkled little face lovingly.
Eyes, yes, my child's own loving ways"
murmured the old lady, more to herself than
to others.
s'Let me introduce YOU to Mr.. Falconer,
the best husband in the world, }" resumed
Isabel, leading Mrs. Pembroke to her hus-
band
.'Oh, it is well that you found my child
before did, said the old lady, with shake
of her small head; '.for if had found her
first / should have been 10th to have given
her up even to the best husband in the
world, J." repeating Isabers words with an
arch smile.
81 account myself the luckiest of men
that was so fortunate, then, madam" he
replied
Il fear this happy meeting would never
have been otherwise" said Isabel, ''for the
seems to have been developed since my
marriage" Her eyes wandered uneasily
around; there was another meeting which
she was looking forward to with mingled
feeling of tender impotence and dread
dread lest her fathers state should be worse
than she had anticipated.
Major Darlington read her heart intui-
lively, and said, quietly: My brother is
not at home just at present, but will be in,
think, after dinner"
The bell rang at the moment, and they
fled cut to the large dining-room, Major
Darlington with Mrs. Pembroke upon his
arm, and the rest in their proper order.
The old lady's bright eyes sought her long
lost grandchild's face continually through
the meal, and she seemed to be living in
the past as she listened to her voice, and
noticed with quick eyes every motion and
gesture, many of which reminded her of
her beloved daughter. Eyes, like, very
like Alicia" she murmured, as they re-
turned to the drswing-room.
Isabel and her husband were in the libra
~ and Major Darlington was showing his
books, a subject upon which he was enthu-
siastic, when sound of footstep at the
door caused them to look up. It was a
slow, uncertain step, and 1t paused upon the
threshold.
Isabel was standing by q window in the
full light, and the eyes of the person stand
ing there were fixed mildly upon her. 1t
was an old man, though there were few
wrinkles in his pale face, but his hair was
snowy white, and his blue eyes had dim,
PARKWAY look, which told at glance that
there were lost faculties vailed behind their
vacantly mild glances.
aChester," said Major Darlington, lay
ing down the book Of which he had been
talking, and going at once to his brothers
side; Isabel advanced, her face pale and her
hands nervously claspcd before her. 'You
know I told you your daughter was coming
to-day. She IL here, and longs to know and
love you"
sDear father" said Isabel, coming close
to hum and looking up at him with be-
seeching glance. al am 80 glad to have
found you"
my dau ghterl" he said, slowly, and with
bewildered look. SHOW should have a
daughter without wifel / think there IL q
mistake"
mo, no, there is no mistake" she cried,
eagerly; "dear father, am your daughter
and Alicia's; don't you remember Alicia,
your wife, and can not you love me for her
sakeln
'sAlicia?" he put his hand to his head in a
dszed way. 81 do not remember Alicia, and
yet the name has homelike sound; did You
say that you were Ahciaa'
"No, father, am Isabel, and Alicia's
daughter and yours; if you can not remem-
Der her, won't you love me for my own
sakean
Why, yes he answered, slowly, taking
the hand which she extended to him, and
looking in her eyes with troubled express
sion 1T is all very strange he said at
last; '.you seem like some one have known,
but can not tell who" and he passed his
hand over his forehead again, as If to brush
away the vail of forgetfulness which was
hiding the past from him.
ssBetter drop the past and win him in the
present." suggested the Major in low
voice.
Eyes, the past, feebly echoed Chester
Darlington; s'they talk Of a past, but I do
mot know what it is, and so we will drop
that and live to-day alone. You say you are
my daughter" and he looked again in her
eyes with that strange, troubled look. aWho,
then, is thisi" and he looked lnquiringly at
Mr.. Fsleoner.
.srhis is my husband, father" and Mr..
Falconer advanced and took the soft white
hard in his. "Wm you accept son also,
fsthsrf'' Re said. with his frank. manly
enfle.