Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1889-08-22


and sympathetieally, who could refuse
such natural reqnestsH
"Bueh a funny gentleman" said Oracle,
as she sat by Isabel's side before retiring
Mrs Darlington had spoken with Isabel Of
the matter, aud Lizette was To take charge
OF the little girl during their stay, but she
had not yet appeared "He called me
Alicia all the time, and he said he had often
dreamed he had a little girl like me, but he
had never found her before"
LET us hope on, dear wife," said Mr..
Falconer. IF he can not see as we wish,
the child may be q great blessing to him"
II will be patientn She looked up at him
with sad eyes and a quiyering lip. II can
ut least imagine what fathers love might
have been.n
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
taton, 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 a
source of great curiosity and pleasure to
her, as she listened TO their quaint songs
| and tales.
Maum Dinah, the second cook in the
establishment, always had choice bit laid
| away for 'tlittle missy,n for a child was
great treat on the place, and every one of
them were ready and willing at any time 10
do her a favor, or contribute TO her enter
tainment.
Mrs. Pembroke's carriage came for Isa-
bel very soon after the first days visit, and
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, a beautiful, Joy.
Gus bride, To her husbands homo.
Mrs Pembroke was at the GOor 10 meet
her, and she seemed moro loVable and win
ming even than before In her own home.
The house, though not so large as that OF
the Carringtons, was still ample, and the
servants were fewer, being chiefly old re-
tanners who refused TO leave their mistress
after the fortunes Of war bad made them
| free.
"This picture OF Alicia was taken just
after her marriage" said Mira. Pembroke
1t 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.
"How sweet, how fair" said Isabel, look.
! ing at 1t with tenderness. How she loved
the memory Of this beautiful mother, whose
| life had ended so soon.
''The beauty of her face was only equalled
| by the loveliness of her character replied
| Mrs. Pembroke; ''none could know her
without loving her; but now, my dear, l
must know all about yourself; to be sure
Major Darlington has given me an outline
of your history, but / want TO know your
| inner life, your heart, dear child"
| They were sitting in lovely little bou-
/ doir, one which Alicia had loved in her girl
/ hood; Mrs. Pembroke sat in a wide-armed
| rocker, and Isabel, on low, wide foot-stool
| at her feet, leaned against her in conflden-
/ tial fashion as she told her Of her early
/ trials, as child, in her anntis home, at
| Nine Arnot's, and Of her sudden marriage,
and the visit to the lonely grave of Alicia,
who looked down smilingly upon them in
her bridal array.
"And these dear hands have been pricked
with needles, and forced to mental labors.
| All the sad shame of it," said the old lady,
taking lsabels hands and caressing them
fondly.
"But, indeed, grandmamma, the needles
did not prick my hands nearly so bad as the
unkind tongues did my heart" said Isabel.
"But you have no unlFind tongues In your
home now.n and the old lady looked at her
! inquiringly. This husband of yours, has
he no faultsl"
"If he has he is very successful in hiding
them," replied Isabel, she is all kindness
and tenderness toward me-" and then she
| told OF Lottie and her gentle, dove-like char
acter.
"And she was shop-girl, too; you did
well to remember her. | am glad you can
not forget your friends" and the soft little
hands caressed again the bowed head
81 pOuld mt hp p0ntqnf n haya ithaca
riches without trying to do good with them;
TO make others happy as we'll as myself"
replied Isabel, earnestly.
"Quite right, DEAR" and the small head
nodded approvinGly; "but | can not help
feeling that this woman whom you have
called aunt has been much to blame, that
she did not advertise or search for US in
some way
"But, dear grandmamma, remember, she
was so crushed, so sad, and believing as she
| did that my father had been killed, she had
so little to direct her in her search; she
was bitterly poor, too, and could scarcely
have paid for an advertisement Isabel pro-
tested, eagerly, for she could not bear to
have her second mother blamed.
''Thst is right, child, defend those who
have been kind to you," and the kind hand
patted her shoulder.
y
SELF" said Isabel; II long to know of your
life, also"
"After Alicia left US we were very lonely,
| but she was so near we could visit her
very often, and we were so happy in seeing
| her happiness that we could not regret her
| marriage
''You mean my Grandfather Pembroke
| and yourselfP'
"Yes, dear; how / wish you could have
| known him; one of the noblest of men,"
| replied Mrs. Pembroke, with q sigh. at
| was not long, however, before she began TO
show signs of falling health, and her ply
sicians advised the trip TO the North which
| resulted so disastrously. 1t seemed as If
| my heart would break when / saw her go
| away--so frail, yet so hopeful-but as faith
| full Chloe, who had nursed her from ninfant,
went with her, knew she would not suffer
| any lack of care, and tired to think 1t was
| for the best, but have regretted so terri
| bly, since that since she must die she could
not have stayed and died in her mothers
arms"
sit is so natural for the sick 10 grasp at
| every straw Of possible relief" said Isabel
eyes, and Chester would have taken her
| to the ends Of the earth on the shadow of a
| hope, he was SO nearly frantic when he
| learned that her disease was dangerous
| 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,
aud then that you were born and after that
silence, terrible silence, until IL seemed as
| II / should die with suspense and dread.
was all alone with the exception Of the
servants, for your GRANDPA had joined
| the army at the first alarm OF real war The
next news heard was when Major Caring
| ton came home on a brief furlough, and
| told me he had seen Chester for a few
| moments, and that my darling was dead,
and that you, her babe, and Chloe were left
| behind In q Northern town, the name Of
| which he had forgotten, IN the charge of q
woman whose name had entirely escaped
him. Oh, II was dreadful dear, and you
can not know how l mourned and grieved
| for you both. Then Chester was wounded,
and your grandfather was sent home a
| corpse, though, thank Heavenl not mutt
lated one, and my cup Of sorrow was full.
poor, poor little grandmammai'' said
| Isabel, caressing the white hands
"After the war was over we had all we
could do to accustom ourselves 70 the new
E sI.A#4s:s1f
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