The weekly messenger., 1889-06-01

tion.
She had come from South Carolina,
and was understood to be of an old and
distinguished family. They had been
reduced to poverty during the Civil War.
Through the influence of friends, she had
obtained her present position in Mayor
Ilinton's family. She was quiet, rather
reserved, perfectly competent, and un-
deniably distinguished in manner and
person. She gave herself no airs, ana
attended conscientiously to her duties.
Though possessing sweet and gentle
disposition, she at times displayed un-
doubted force and dignity of character.
In her womanly heart, the conflict that
had bereft her. left no bitterness toward
the conquerors. Therefore, being Iowa
bic, she came to be loved by them.
Maio- Hinton was in his library, when
there came light knock on the closed
door. At his bidding, Miss Pinkney
walked in. her face still unusually pale,
the open miniature IN her hand.
pardon me. major she said, "but
in searching for some old costumes in
/ the garret, Laura came across this"
She handed it to him. He, too,
seemed hardly less discomposed than She
| had been.
"Ah,' she cried, II see you recall it.
You vii understand what a sad interest
it possesses for me when | tell you that
this likeness IS my own. taken when Il
child can Just remember seeing my
dear father kiss and replace it in his
bosom as he rode off, after bidding fare
well to my mother and me. He never
came back. He was killed at Win
chester. We found that out, though we
don't know how. o, sir. perhaps you
can tell me something of my father :
death. This picture in your possession
rcvives strange hopes. y
The major, during the recital, showed
signs OF strong solf-repression. He was
usually quiet, reticent, self-contained
sort of man, and, by the time Miss
Pinkncy concluded, al outward signs
Of discomposure, except ctr.ain degree
of pallor, wee clfefully banished.
II have almost forgotten, he said,
kindly. at seems 10 me picked it up
on the battlefield. If 50 sad "A reminder
of the past i, Of value to you, pray keep
it. once tried to find it. proper own
crs, but failed. You see the family
name is Howard, net Pinkney.'
MY .ull name IS Alice Pinkney How
ard said the govcrnc~s, quietly. "a
concluded TO drop the Howard when
found that moaey must be earned s5me-
how. 1t was Hot through fa.se pride,
but in dcterence to the WISHES of others.
And You never saw my fathcr, Major
Hinton"
The major hesi,ated, and drew long
breath through his teeth.
mo- he almost whispered.
Miss Pinkney sighed, and soon, there
after, retired.
After that, Miss Pinkncy was trea;et
with greater kindness by Major Hinton
than ever. Had she been one Of hi
own daughters, his sOlic;tude could hard
ly have been more marked. Her salary
was gradually increased, un,ii she fell
herself called upon to demonstrate.
Il am not worth near so much" sh
said to the major. 81 cannot cOnscn
to see your kind heart so over infuenc
your good Judgment y
The major was then recovering from
light stroke of paralysis. lie rcgardc,
her sadly from his reclining chair; then
as she turned away, said to himself:
If she knew all, would she nc
shrink from receiving money at tn
lands of her fathers destroyer? Yet
Is it not done r.y-;a ,,a;tlcl lean
Mt he he'd d'shonorabiy responsible
) AID yes-yet-
The major sighed, wcarily.
That night he had another and
severer stroke. In the morning, til
doctor said he might live day or So
. ! NOT lcnnnr Thnrl. W ~ ,r,rnf ,rrinf m