The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1889-12-25

way OI opening Cne COuNCIoboiOn' w.
remind me of friend L had some
years ago, and, were it not Tor your
name, should believe you were the
same, allowing for changes wrought Dy
time.'
He felt slight quivering OF the hand
resting on his arm, but did not attrl-
butte its origin to what he said. With
out waiting reply, he continued.
s.However. in features the likeness is
complete; but in the expression L can
see some difference"
He ceased speaking, and receiving
no answer, he cast his eyes towards
her countenance, and noticed that it
was pale. Surprised, he changed the
subject. Soon after he surrendered
her arm to an acquaintance; but his
eve still wandered in her direction, and
his mind required to the effect of his
observations. Once or twice her eyes
met his, but she would instantly drop
them, or turn some other way.
He retired from Mrs. Rexford's
house, bewildered. During all of his
wears of absence he had not heard from
Alice Thornton, and he supposed that
she had long since become the wife OF
another. Miss Burdenott's resem-
blance to his early love recalled the
past, and, but for the name, he would
have addressed her as his yet loved
Alice.
Moved by conflicting thoughts, he
entered his own room and threw HIM
self in a chair.
"What if Alice repented of the course
she was pursuing when L leftP What II
she has waited all these years, hoping
for my return? But no, it cannot be.
Ten years is long time. The thought
is chimera, and I will dismiss it as
such" were the reflections that coursed
through his brain.
The next day snow was falling. Ac-
customed to exposure and tired OF his
confinement, after dinner he sauntered
! forth. Everywhere enterprise had pro-
duced change. Dwellings had beer
changed INTO huge warehouses.
He was thinking of the change whe1
: a little hand was put before him and ;
} childish voice said: ''Please give mi
l something to buy some Goals and some
thing to eat. Ma hasn't had anything
to eat since yesterday"
l Casting down his eyes he beheld
: slight, frail figure scantily clothed
S Having taste for adventure he in
i ouired: .sWhere does ma liveP"
: Being informed, he told the little on
It he would accompany her. Pleased wit
4 his readiness, she moved off briskly
e He was conducted to narrow street
IS through short alley, up two flight
of stairs, and ushered into a room
s. Scanning it hastily he saw that tn
y meagre furniture was tidy, and that
d woman, wasted by disease, was lyin
,e on bed in one corner. No fire Wa
2, burning, and the room was cold an
le cheerless.
Taking out a piece of money,
N asked his little guide if she could go
w the nearest shop and order some woo
a. and coal, and something to eat, ar
as have them sent in Immediately. Wal
n, ING few moments, the needed articl
Id arrived. and taking the wood with
own hands, he soon had cheerful II
ed blazing in the CRATE. He was on t
to point of starting out in quest OF
a physician when the door opened, al
IT. another girl, evidently couple of yea
II older than the one with him, entere
re. accompanied by a muffied lady bes
Mt ing a basket. The lady on beholdl
man bending in front of the CRATE,
lot first drew back; but as he rose,
I'D recognized him, moved forward, al
of throwing off the hood of her cloak,
st, claimed, '.Mr. Cliford!''
NY sMiss Burdenott!' was the respon
lat A few words sufficed to explain Il
] the sick woman was one with WHIT
i've circumstances Miss Burdenott had
Idy come familiar, and had employed as
seanstress. Miss Burdenott havi
tly been away from the town some til
lin and having returned only the day
all. fore, had not learned until that mo
on ING of the woman's helpless conditlo
Mr.. Clifford, with alacrity, procu
- a physician, and when he returned
- sick woman was drinking cup Of
n nu After the departure OF the physiei
M and when the woman was comfol
ght BILE, they took two OF the 1our rich
or chairs, sat down by the fire and tail
as Familiarity as if they had been
of quainted for years, instead of hav
-ish met only the night previous.
ure Two hours glided away and at
T darkness began to set in. Miss Il
and denott rose hastily, saying that
rt.n must return home or search would
the made for her. Mr.. Clifford proffe
,re- himself as escort, and was accept
I He offered to obtain fly, but as
he snow had ceased to fall, the lady
she preferred walking. Arriving
NV her residence, she invited him
an enter. Passing to her room
the moments, on her return he was str
more than ever with her resemble
,an- to Alice.
Alice-for Miss Burdenott was
other than Alice Thornton-noti
day his perplexed gaze, and then tendt
II = an explanation. Her mothers {
ain brother was opposed to his sister s L
riage with her father, and at his de
ted. her mother and father both being d
had l.aadc n Kill leaving his Wealtl
the her, with the proviso that she sh
She adopt the maiden name of her mot
dis She told him of the note she had
nth warded the day he started for
1ver fornia; her surprise, modification
NIT sorrow when she learned he had g
She her hope that he would return at S
with subsequent time; her patient wait
of determined to live single until
a1tV either heard of his death or that
han place in his heart had been filled
Her another.
cbes "Our experience in the past, he
ever folding her in his arms, will gu
\ TO us the better for enjoyment in
lila future"
each Her eyes, beaming with love
happiness, were raised towards his
Mr. lips touched hers as she softly '
= as pered, Lost and won. ~. Y W