The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1890-04-18

moments; he told me then that he had left
his young wife in a Northern burial groun,
and his little babe in the care of a Northeri
woman with Nurse Chloe. He mentioned
the name of the village, but, in the excite
ment of meeting him. 1t slipped my mind en-
tirely, and l could never recall it or the
name of the woman with whom you were
left.
"a fierce battle occurred soon after, and
your father was terribly wounded, was
taken off the field among the dead, in fact.
but afterward revived and was sent to the
hospital and after a wonderfully critlca
operation in trepanning, he recovered slow
ty, but his memory of past events was
utterly gone, and he has no memory save
of the immediate present"
''Then he will not know me, she cried, il
panied voice. "Oh, this is sad, so sad J
had hoped and dreamed that l might ye,
know Il father s love-" and she covered her
face with her hands.
LET US hope for the best, my dear niece ~
he said, kindly and encouragingly; ''whr
knows bu5 yours may be the hand which
will lift the vail from the past, and bring
back his memory!"
''God grant that it may,' she said, fervent-
ly. Il will be to him all that loving
daughter can be'
81 am sure of 1t; and now tell me of your
sell; OF course, Nurse Chloe ls not living
She was old when she went North, and the
climate is not favorable to the Southern
born"
''SAe died soon after my mother" replied
Isabel. Mrs. Harmon, with whom my
father left me and whom always supposed
to be my aunt until lately, told me that sh,
pined and mourned for my mother and the
family until her death"
'Ah! poor soul she was faithful
creature; but why did this Mrs. Harmon
conceal the facts of your birth from you?"
asked Major Darlington, little jealously.
because she loved me-" replied Isabel
quickly, land as she became very poor she
feared that would be unhappy and discon
tented if knew the truth in the low sphere
which | was obliged to occupy" and sh
gave him brief summary OF her past life
"And you have been obliged to work as
common shop-girl; yIu-a Darlington ~ Ii.
exclaimed, III Il shocked tone.
81 assure you, dear sir. it has not harmed
me in the least" she answered, merrlly:
"but of course 1t was hard and CALLING il
the time of it, and would have been doubly
so had | known my own history; but the
happiness of the present fully compensat
for all the past
"And your husband9" said Major Caring
ton, nqulringly.
''ls the best and most unseltsh of men,
she replied, enthusiastically. "He took m,
from my low position and raised me to hi,
own station, and l honor him above al
men," and she briefly narrated the facts
connected with her marriage. She lookeC
up and saw her husband standing among
group of gentlemen across the room, and
his eyes caught hers in interested inquiry
She signalled to him to come to her, anu
he was soon at her side.
I'VE were just speaking of you" she said
looking up at him with shining eyes full
happiness. ''Mr. Falconer, l am delighte
TO present to you my uncle, Major Caring
ton."
1t was not an entire surprise to him, as b
had heard the gentleman's name from
friend, and had guessed a little of the trutl
noting lsabel's radiant face, and as he too
the offered hand he said; "Slnoe my wifi,
romantic story has come to my knowledg
L have been making inquiries, and usl
every means in my power to find her famil
but did not hope for so speedy an accon
plishment of our desires"
my uncle tells me my father is living,
she said.
DO eOA SIhl ludu we HOpeu tOHN - ana M
Falconer looked INTO haE pushed face with
sympathetic smile; he entered into he
feelings heartily.
But l fear the knowledge is only to be;
disappointment to my niece" said Majc
Darlington. graveiy, explaining hia meal
ing. MY brother is alematurely aged, ant
fear his Injury is insurmountable."
The incident soon became known throug.
the rooms, as Major Darlington left his nev
found friends and mingled with the crow
again, and Isabel was met by the SINGER
congratulations OF such of her friends
knew her story, and if there had been n
lingering doubts as to her position in sociei
they We're removed now, as Major Carrin
toms name was a passport into any socieIy
and being publicly announced as his nice,
removed the last straw in the way of her
social success.
"You will spend tao remainder of you,
time in tho oity at our home, will you not.
said Isabel, as she bade her uncle go,c
night. 81 have somany inquiries to make
Il leave tomorrow night" nc replied
cordially, 'and will e adly spend part O
the day with you. ], too, wish to know more
of you ana yours"
sob. LOtuep' cried Isabel eagerly.