Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1889-10-24

This look had no power to move the
clouded mind 10 any effort Of remembrance,
and ne took the offered hand In the matter
of-fact way in which he greeted al
~angers.
"A daughter and a son, both in one hour,
he said, shaking his head in perplexity,
sits a strange world, UeTy strange
worldr'
Isabel turned away to hide her tears; it
was bitter disappointment; although she
had told herself so many times how 1t must
inevitably be, yet she had, in spite OF all,
cherished a hope that it might be better
than she feared
taThen who is this?'' he said, gently, as
Oracle came springing in to her fathers
side: her eyes agiOw with interest IN an
ayiary which Tom. little colored boy, who
had been detailed to entertain her, had been
showing her. She stood by his side in blush
ing confusion, as the strangers eyes were
bent upon her in min gled surprise and IN
quiry.
ssThis is my little daughter" said Mr. Fal-
coner. drawing herto him tenderly. "WIl
YOU not 90 and give the gentleman your
hand, my dearl'' he continued, kindly.
She looked at the strange face steadily.
but something in the kind eyes, so vague
and yet so inquiring, struck her childish
fancy, and she left her fathers side read
ilv. and held out her little hand to him In
childish trust. He took it in his and looked
at her wistfuIIy. 81 never had tittls daugh-
ter" he said, pitifully, looking over at Isa-
bel as she stood with her head turned
away.
1t was evidently difficult for HIM to grasp
tie idea of a grOwn-up daughter with
family, and if in his darkened mind he had
formed an idea of what the daughter which
Major Darlington had told him of would be
like, it was that she would be little child
like Oracle
He looked at her tenderly, and sitting
down he took her on his knee and kissed
her. Major Darlington looked at him IN
surprise, for since his injury he had never
noticed child, and his afectionate nature
had seemed to be buried in the q ave of the
past.
Oracle was a very affectionate child, and
as she saw the sad, puzzled expression on
the face of her new acquaintance, she
her little arm around his neck,
saying sweetly: Il will be your little
daughter, sir, if you wish me to-" looking
to her father for his approval.
He nodded kindly, and she prattled on,
her sweet voice evidently acting on the
clouded mind like music, for he listened
intently while she told him how Tom had
shown her the big green parrot who had
spoken her name, and told her solemnly
that Polly wanted cracker, and how the
mocking bird had sung the same song which
Linnet sang at home.
Isabel had conquered her emotion, and
turning viewed the scene with renewed
hope that the little child might be the agen-
cy through which her fathers mind might
find light, for she could not give up the
idea that in some way there was to be
rift in the dark cloud which obscured it.
"Come, Alicia, let US go and see the rab-
bits,' he said to the child, mildly, as he put
her from his knee and rose to his feet.
'But, sir, my name is Gracie," she said,
as he took her hand.
Eyes, yes, Oracle Alicia; it has a sweet
sound, hasn't it, little daughter!" and the
great and small child passed out together,
she looking up at him with mute, wondering
eyes, he looking down at her with a tender,
protective air, without a thought or lookfor
the real daughter, VINO looked after him with
a heart almost bursting with grief and dis
appointed affection.
'How did he receive you, dearieF' said
the little grandmother, coming in as the
pair went out at the hall door. The group
in the parlor had been in quiver of curious
since they had seen the tall form
enter the library.
A burst of tears was the answer, as Isa-
bel laid her head on the loving little shoul-
der and burst into tears, sobbing out her
grief. 'Oh, grandmamma, he did not own
me at all, and have longed for him so!''
The small, jeWeled hand moved caressing-
II over the. hair, the same motion which had
comforted the beautiful young mother in
the years past, and the sweet, tremulous
voice said, tend erly: Then, my dearest,
we must love you the more to compensate
for his lack of recognition. How he would
dote on you if he were only himself, for he
has such loving heart, my poor Chesterr'
and she sighed deeply.
u assure you, my dear niece, am sur
prised and gratified at the result of the
said Major Darlington, encour-
agingly. Il think the interest he has taken
in the child is really remarkable. 1t is
marked departure from his ordinary de-
meanor, and if there is any hope for him it
may come through her"
LET US hope so, at least" said Mr.. Fal-
coner, kindly After all, my dear, it is
not surprising that your father failed to
grasp the idea of the relationship, when, if
he had any tleeting recollections of having
a daughter, he must naturally think of her
as babe or little child
Eyes, presume so, and will try and be
patient and brave" She raised her head
and wiped away the tears resolutely. "At
least l will not cloud dear grandmsmma's
face with my griefs,'' and she patted the
aged cheek tenderly; she was such little
grandmother, that it seemed as natural to
pet and caress her as if she had been
child.
''Chester did not comprehend Isabeps
identity as we hoped he might" said the
Major, as they went back to the drawing.
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