Daily Yellowstone journal., 1889-04-25

that prompted HIM, II told herself
In New York she took up the bur
den of existence for the first time. She
seldom saw Col. Graham, though he
often spent the evenings with her
father. She hid herself in her W
poor little room She vas careful
never TO pass her old home, or go
| where she would be likely to meet her
| old associates. Two or three found
her out and came to her with words OF
love and appreciation, but the major
ity, like Mrs. Etynge, barely recog-
nized her if brought face TO face, and
ignored her when possible. She cared
less than she thought she would; she
even confessed TO herself that she
would be happy with her simple eff
forts at housekeeping, her few music
pupils and painstaking copies OF her
fathers TRANSACTIONS, if her heart had
not ached with the knowledge that it
had awakened TO love too late, and
after she had put away what might
have been its treasure,
One day her sorrows seemed almost
too heavy TO bear. She was waiting
in a certain patrician music room for
her pupil when an older member OF
the family and a friend entered and
continued their conversation without
deigning 10 notice her.
Have you heard that Mrs. Etynge
is going TO marry that handsome Col.
Grahamr asked one of them.
mo. ! knew that she had been
angling for him eve since she was
widowed. but Thought he would have
more sense than 10 take her. I've
heard that they were engaged once,
but she threw him over for old Etynge.
How she must have felt when the gal
liant colonel was found TO have made
a fortune from western lands he
bought when lie was sent out 10 fight
the lpdians!'
Doubtless; but she's all right now.
Some thought he would marry that
little French girl. People used to joke
about his raising a wife TO his taste"
\ SSH" said her companion,
warningly, with a meaning glance at
Toinette's corner.
Thepupil came in; she went through
the lesson-she never knew how-then
home, 10 weep over the unworthy sus.
piciols she had cherished and the love
that came too late.
For days she scarcely dared TO look
at a paper, fearing TO see the announce.
ment of Col. Graham's engagement
or marriage. Even her father, who
usually, when his tasks were done,
sat like a man blind and deaf to all
that was going on about him, noticed
hoy pale and haggard she was grow.
ing.
MY child" he said, kindly, 'you
are wearing out, j fear. You are not
tit for the life you are leadingl Say
but the word, and you al 60 back TO
all you gave up for my sake. The
last time Col. Graham was here he re.
newed his offers, and said he would
not come here again-that he could
not, it so wrung his heart TO see our
poverty. Shall | send TO himg"
"No, no, father" criedt the unhappy
girl. 81 will not 60. Ny place is at
yoy>side. We viii not part"
Nou are a good child" said the old
min, STOPPING TO kiss her. "A good
child" he repeated, softly. 1T would
have been better had | given more OF
my time and thoughts 10 you that
were wasted on my ~ungrateful coun-
try. You have done your duty to Inc
better than / did mine TO you. Re.
member that / acknowledged this,
after ! am gone"
Are YOU going away againT asked
Toinette, anXiously.
"Only on that journey from which
no traveller v comes back. Who
knows when the summons may come
for any one of usi Do not look dis.
quoted, dear; l am not i'll; memory
reminds me that | am an old man,
that is all. Now go 10 your rest, and
tomorrow we must devise some plan
TO bring back your roses"
When the morrow came, with its
chill and sleet, the old exile had re,
newed his youth, and the roses he
found were in Paradise. When
Toinette went to call him he was
sitting as she had left him, with q
smile on his face such as she had
never ven him wear. II was hard 70
believe hat his spirit had gone on
that journey of which he spoke. The
realization did not come TO her till,
after the funeral, she went back e
theawful desolation of the little home.
Then she wondered dimly how heaven
could be so cruel; she did not dream
that another blow was in store for her.
Her guardian had again besought
her TO return, and again she had re-
fused. His hurt, %reproachful glance
pierced her heart, but she was firm.
How could she goi She could not live
under the same roof with him and his
bride.
Over and over she thought of il, and
tried 10 be reconciled, but it always
ended by her desperately wishing she
we're not % young and strong. II
would be 70 sweet TO slip out Of life
and its crown Of thorns.
A knock at her door one afternoon
disturbed these morbid reflections.
When she admitted her visitor, il
proved to DO Col. Graham's footman.
Miss Toinette," he said abruptly,
we've brought the carriage for you.
The colonel IS dying and wants 10 sec
you"
How long the time seemed until she
was at his bcdsidcl
Little Toinette," lie whispered,
feebly, how happy ! am to have you
here once more"