Milford chronicle., 1889-03-22

'I shall soon be we'll again. he said. re-
gretfully.
'Yes, she answered, cheerily, ''very soon. I"
81 shall miss my nurse.n
"And my patient; but I am glad you are
recovering. We were afraid at ono time
there would be a more painful parting.n
"You mean l was In danger Of dying.
Why should that be painful am old"
She made no answer, looking sorrowfully
into his uplifted eyes.
"And burden upon you, tho doctor tells
me. Why did you make yourself responsible
for a strangerp
The fair face flushed, the soft eyes were
dewy with feeling as Alice said softly;
because you are old and seemed poor and
friendless l was glad it was in my power to
aid you. Do not think It was at any great
cost, she added, with a generous desire to
tighten the burden Of obligation. Il have
some money lying idle.n
"For the wedding day perhaps. Well,
child, you might have poorer jewels to deck
your bridal than an old mans tears Of graft
tude and love. 1 am getting well aud shall
soon leave you; will you give me keep
sakegn
Tho girl loosened a little locket from a
chain round her throat, cut of one Of her
golden curls and put in the place Of some
/ hair she took out, and laid the trinket in the
old mans hand.
''With my love- she said, softly
"Ah child, he sighed, ian old man, sick
and feeble, wins little love"
yet" she said, earnestly, ''you must be-
lievo that have nursed you since you were
conscious, with affection. My own father is
gone, but if ever you want daughters care
or affection, believe me will gladly come to
you, if possible
Three days later the little cottage was de-
serted Aunt Sophy and Alice returned to
their home to make up for lost time in dress
making and sewing, and Alice cheerfully
paid out Of her small patrimony for the
board and expenses of her venerable patient.
She little guessed how deep an impression
her care and tenderness had made upon the
heart so long closed against human affection,
SO distrustful Of any advances from his fel-
low creatures. It was "a revelation 70 him,
this active charity to an utter stranger. He
had gono TO the hotel merely to see MGlcolm's
choice and had purposely left oil clew to his
identity behind him. He had intended
meeting Alice, if possible unknown and
watching her unobserved, but accident had
thrown them together in a way he little an
ticipated. The first use he made Of bis
recovery was to write to his nephew, and
Malcolm met him at the depot when he re-
turned home.
Knowing nothing Of the recent accident,
the young man was shocked at the change in
his uncles face.
You have been illf he cried.
every ill.,"
"Nhy did you not send for mef'
Il had even better nursing than yours,
Malcolm. Don't ask rue any questions now,
but tell me about your marriage prepara- 1
tious"
"Alice has gone home and willIremain /
until November. Then she comes to Mrs /
Haydon's and will buy her house and furni-
ture.n
In Novemberf'
"Yes."
Late in November she came, her trunks
full Of Aunt Sophy's daintiest stitching, and
Aunt Marcia gave her cordial greeting.
grand wedding was the display upon which
this lady bad set her heart, and Alice shrank
. little at the comments upon the rich uncle,
and her own good fortune in the first rate
match"
But just before the wedding day, little
note was brought to Alice, by a gorgeous
.ootman, who was driving to her aunt's be-
hind private carriage. The note was from
and begged her to come to him in
he carriage
Wondering, but obedient Alice was
peedily ready, and was driven to a hand
ome brown stone house, where the door was
'pened to usher her into a stylish drawing
'oom, where a gentleman awaited her, and
Malcolm advancing said:
"My uncle Hiram, Alice"
Kindly blue eyes looked into her own,
yithered hands were extended, and a voice
ho knew well, said:
''Wo are old friends, Malcolm. Are we
lot, Alice.n
Then, before she could answer, the old man
continued:
Il have thought, Alice, that it was un-
ind to have my nephew wait for my death
'efore sharing Of my wealth. have borne
curse Of distrust in my heart for many
ears, thinking my money won me all tho
Election, save AIalcolms, that was offered
ne. But though you are well content to
Ped the young clerk, and put your own
atrimony into his home, you must not re-
use my heir who has accepted from me an
ncomo that makes him Independent, and
his home.n
"My love for Malcolm can bear riches or
overly" was the answer, "but, sir, our
ONE needs you. You will come, will you
ot, to the children, who will try to make
our life happy by loving carel Long be-
pre- l knew You, Malcolm told me he hoped,
hen he had home, to win you to live in ,
= Win you let me, too, beg Of you to come !
, usn
"Gladly, childl gladlyn the old man said.
SO, where the rich, lonely man had feared
} lose the one love Of his life, he gained an
ther tenderer, sweeter love, TO brighten his
eclining years by daughters devotion and
fection. i