The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1890-05-02


ming even than before in her own home
The house, though not so large as that Oh
the Carringtons, was still ample, and the
servants were fewer, being chiefly old re.
tainers who refused to leave their mistress
after the fortunes of war had made then;
free.
''This picture of Alicia was taken just
after her marriage" said Mrs. Pembroke.
1t was a 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 it 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,
must know all about yourself; to be sure
Major Darlington has given me an outline
OF your history, but l 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 confden-
tial fashion as she told her of her early
trials, as child, in her aunt's 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 priclzed
with needles, and forced to menial labors.
All! the sad shame of it." said the old lady,
taking Isabers hands and caressing them
fondly.
"But, indeed, grandmamma, the needles
did not prick my hands nearly so bad as the
unklnd tongues did my heart" said Isabel
But you have no unkind tongues in your
home now," and the old lady looked at her
inquiringly. This husband of yours, has
he no faults?n
"lf he has he is very successful in hiding
them," replied Isabel; ''he 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 could not be content to have these
riches without trying to do good with them ::
to make others happy as well as myself
replied Isabel, earnestly.
"Quite right, dear,' and the small head
nodded approvingly; 'but l can not he'll
feeling that this woman whom you havc
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.
''That is right, child, defend those who
have been kind to you," and the kind hand
patted her shoulder.
And now, grandmamma, tell me of your
SELF" said Isabel; 81 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 yourself!'
"Yes. dear; how l wish you could have
known MIN; one OF the noDIest OF men,"
replied Mrs. Pembroke, with sigh. SIT
was not long, however, before she began to
show signs of failing health, and her ply
81 lans advised the trip to the North which
resulted so dlsastrously. 1t seemed as if
my heart would break when | saw her go
aWay-so frail, yet so hopeful-but as faith
ful Chloe, who had nursed her from an infant,
went with her, | knew she would not suffer
any lack of care, and tried to think it was
for the best, but have regretted so terri
II civ hat oh i
not have stayed and died in her mothers
arms"
sit is so natural for the sick to grasp at
every straw of possible relief" said Isabel
Yes, and Chester would have taken her
to the ends of the earth on the shadow of
hope, he was so nearly frantic when he
learned that her disease was a 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,
and then that you We're born and after that,
silence, terrible silence, until it seemed as
II | should die with suspense and dread |
was all alone with the exception of the
servants, for your grandfat had ioined
the army at the first alarm of real war. The
next news l heard was when Major Caring
ton came home on Il brief furlough, and
told me he had seen Chester for few
moments, and that my darling was dead,
and that you, her babe, and Chloe were left
behind in Northern town, the name of
which he had forgotten, in the charge of
woman whose name had entirely escaped
him. Oh, it 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 Heaven! not mutt
lated one, and my cup of sorrow was full "
'Poor, poor little grandmammar' said
Isabel, caressing the white hands.
AFTER the war was over we had all we
could do to accustom ourselves to the new