The Iowa plain dealer. [volume] (New Oregon, Howard County, Iowa) 1867-1895, 1889-08-01

Ianul0 IN I'D Wc2kneSSs Yet Iuu OF love ana
trust, Is she bent over him and whispered
glad words OF love and thankfulness into
his ear.
..Havc /, then, been 30 very sickr' he
asked, feebly, - her tears Of JOY fell upon
his face.
II think, Uncle Harvey, you deserve q
good scolding for giving US such q scare"
Lillian answered for her. s'If 1t hadn't been
for my excellent nursing there's no know
ing what would have happened to you.
Aunt Isabel and that big-eyed doctor were
glowering over you like acouple Of lunatics
when came to the rescue.
He was too weak to reply TO her lively
sallies, but he pressed his wife's hand with
o feeble energy.
II seemed As II she could not be demon
strative enough after the long period Of
cold INDIGESTION through which she had
passed; she knew now that she had loved
him for months when she had imagined
herself grateful only, and she sighed rs
she thought how his kind and noble heart
must have been wounded by her coldness,
and she strove to make amends by showing
him every phase Of tenderness her full
heart could devise.
II think must 60 home how" said Lii
liam, playfulIy, the next day. II have res
cued one forlorn man from . premature
fate, and shall have another to drag from
the brink Of despair II do not get back TO
Ralph. Mamma says he wanders to and
fro like the disconsolate ghost Of Melan-
choly."
81 little thought that your long -talked-of
visit was to be such doleful affair - this"
said Isabel sBut, indeed, Lillian, you do
not know how much you have helped me-"
II assure you take full credit to myself
for all have DONE" she answered, willfully.
II do believe Uncle Harvey got up this lit
tie diversion just for the purpose Of testing
the affection Of his friends''
ssThen deserved 70 be disappointed,
didn't II" he said, weakly. He enjoyed her
bright raillcry, as it showed him that he
was once more among flesh and blood peo-
pie instead Of the dim and ghostly forms
among which he had moved during the
weeks when his diseased fancy had distort-
cd every thing about him into unreal shapes.
Isabel was not disappointed in Lillian;
the bright, sweet girl was just the gcner-
Gus, whole-souled little woman she had i'm
agined her to be, and . warm affection bad
sprung up between them.
"You have forgiven me, then, for marry
ing your unclea" Isabel said, mischievously.
as they were waiting In the drawing-room
for the carriage which was to take Lillian
away.
'.Yes," she replied, promptly, "and have
given you my blessing, hgurativcly speak
ing" Then more thoughtfully: "Your case
Is only another denomination Of the fact
which mamma and have argued over ever
since went In pinafores, that . persons
position In life does not necessarily deter
mine all his qualities OF head and heart"
s'Well, what do you think Of hers" said
Mrs. Stanford, after Lillian's return, and
when other inquiries had been answered.
II think Uncle Harvey might have hunt
ed the city over without finding any one 80
perfectly suited to him as Aunt Isabel, !" re-
piled Lillian, warmly.
Even II she was plebeian shop girl, !"
said Mr.. Stanford, with smile.
I'm afraid the blue blood Of the Caring
tons would boil IL they should hear you
speak Of their kinswoman under that title"
and Lillian laughed. AUNT Isabel told mo
that Major Darlington was terribly shocked
to earn q living"
Harvey Falconer's return to health was az
rapid as could be expected, considering his
the pallid ghost Of himself as he sat up In
Toned lounge in the home room.
1t was now long past Christmas and they
had received an urgent invitation from
Major Darlington to spend the remainder
Of the winter at Elm PARK, and had decid-
ed to 60 as soon as the invalid was strong
enough to travel DIR. Conroy had advised
the change Of climate, and Mr.. Falconer.
with his blood debilitated and chilled by
sickness, looked forward to II gratefully.
DR. Conroy had been like Q brother In this
time of trouble, and the Falconers, who had
respected and admired him before, were
now bound to him by the ties of affection IS
well.
He who comes to us in our hour Of
trouble not only makes himself our friend,
but commands affection also, and the
earnest, faithful physician not only heals
the sickness by the aid Of his skillful knowl-
edge, but brings his sympathy, his soothing
word and kindly touch, winning place for
himself in our hearts which no other can
I'LL.
Dr. Conrov was one of these who brought
his heart with him to the sick chamber.
Many mother could testify that he had
ministered to her sick babe as tenderly as
If 1t had been his own.
twas this element OF tenderness in his
nature which had endeared him to Lottie
Ford, and with him affection Tor
the fair, sweet girl. 50 gentle and un-
complaining in her suffering, had sprung
up spontaneously, and he had made her but
few visits before he became conscious that
she was the ono woman Of all the world
whom he wished 10 call his wife, and as he
was a straightforward man, he had lost no
time in showing her his heart.
She was steadily improving under his
care, and could now walk with one cru,ch
with but little pain, and there was every
reason TO hope that her recovery was TO DC
complete, and she was preparing for the
visit at home with great delight.
.Lottie, DEAR" said Isabel as they sat in
her cheerful room, syou will spend the time
with US before your marriage, will you mott
We shall return in February, and / shall
hope to see you soon after we come home. +"
'.Yes," replied Lottie; ssMalcolm wishes
me to remain under treatment for some
time yet. He Is thinking he can get father
better employment here t.lan he has In New
York II 1t were not for that I should feel
as II must pass my last months Of maiden
life with mother
"Oh, isn't that lovelym cried Isabel, "if
you can have the little mother near you
she will have to adopt me, too, for long for
mother SOL and she gave sigh for the
lost mother in her grave.
Mothers heart Is large enough for us
both" replied Lottie, smiling, land ! only
fear that / shall have occasion to bo jealous
OF you. They will como in the spring, II
all works as we expect, and as DR.. Conroy
is almost positive It will.''
Then fear 1 am to be disappointed in
having the pleasure Of making darling lit
tie wedding for you," said Isabel, . shade
coming over her face. 81 had anticipated
having such quite select affair"
SWELL" replied Lottie, '.you and mother
may decide that when the time comes, for
l must confess that with father and mother
here, your home would seem as much like
my home as any place could"
"You darling" said Isabel, relieved.
'sThcn shall coax our mother until she ID
obliged to consent TO be rid Of me: of course
you will go to housekeeping ut once.''
"Ycs, DR. Conroy is SO thoroughly tired
of boarding, though upon what scale / am