Sacramento daily record-union., 1890-07-26


hind one of the window curtains was
seated an old man, who noiselessly ap.
preached and stood beside the girl as she
was singing. The tears were falling down
his old, furrowed cheeks. As she finished
she turned and saw him. "Dear young
lady, pardon me; am General Dean.
was standing in the window when you
commenced to sing, and you sang a song
very sacred to me, for an idolized daughter
whom / have los. had a voice like yours,
and that was her tsvorite song. Will you
pardon my intrusion, and will you some
time again sing that song ?"
She frankly replied, Nothing could
give me more pleasure. That song, too,
was the favorite of my idol, my father.
| have lost him, and l often sing it in re-
membranee."
General Dean took her hand as she said
this.
eThere is now strong bond of SYM
pathy between us, dear young lady. l
shall never forget you. May ask, are
you not English ?"
"Yes, arrived here from England only
a few weeks ago. / have long desired to
come here. From books that have read
with my father about America, /, as well
as he, desired to see this beautiful coun-
try, and to know some of the famous men
here
"But you have famous men in Eng
land"
"Some, but few that have come up with
out help; most of our men that have high
position have been placed there by their
birth. l would like to see man that
is man-who has made himself famous
by the strength of character that is in
him.
''Those are strange sentiments from
such young lady" said the old General
at so happens that at the Point now is a
young man who had good percentages but
no influence, who put himself through the
Point and graduated at the head of his
class, and is now Colonel in the engineer
corps. He is young man of high moral
character, and, what is seldom found in
the army, man of high Christian princi-
Piles. You must know him, young lady,
and then you will see the man that you
have wished to know. May | ask your
name?"
''Clara Mowbray"
lOu nave 1lOt COule mere alone
ooh, no; / have an uncle and an aunt
with me-"
81 think that / must have seen them
| have not been to any place of amuse-
ment for years; but have taken a great
fancy to you, Miss Mowbray, and | want
you to accept me as your chaperon to a
hop that is to be given here on Tuesday
evening. 1t will be the hop of the sea-
son.
II am only too thankful to accept the
offer you have made to me-" said Lady
Clara.
General Dean was after this devoted to
his young friend-took her to see every
thing around the Point that was of inter-
est. The night before the hop he encoun-
tered Colonel Singleton coming out of the
dining-room.
"Where have you been?" said he. "I
have been looking for you everywhere, to
present You to a protege of mine, Miss
Mowbray."
Il was called suddenly away, and l have
only Just returned. But who is this Miss
Mowbray
'tShe is young English girl, one of the
finest girls that | have ever met. She is
here attended by an uncle and an aunt"
Ralph Singleton smiled, but said moth
ing.
II want you to come around to my
parlor this afternoon Miss Mowbray is
to be there to sing to me the song which
was my introduction to her. Be sure to
come, and l will introduce you to her"
Ralph Singleton thanked the General
with much warmth. He admired and re-
spected the old General
81 will tell you something, Singleton"
as he drew him off to the end of the
piazza. '.Do you know the young officers
will admire this charming girl, but the
moment they see the uncle and aunt they
all shy off. | know she notices it; but
what is strange, instead of being panied
she seems amused"
At the appointed time Ralph Singleton
was in General Deans parlor, and was
there presented to this young lady.
After some little conversation she sang,
at General Deans request, his favorite
song. Again the tears ran down the old
Generals cheeks, and Colonel Singleton's
eyes were moist with emotion.
They afterward all talked on various
subjects, and the hop of the next night.
Colonel Singleton said: 81 hope, Miss
Mowbray, that you will permit me to put
my name down on your card for the first,
middle and last dances?"
The next night Clara Mowbray came
into the ballroom on General Deans arm,
looking radiantly beautiful, followed by
the uncle and aunt. Colonel Singleton at
once came forward and met them, bowling
with much respect to the uncle and aunt,
whom he seated before claiming from Mss
Mowbray her hand for the first dance Out
of respect to the General, at least. there
was no end of partners for the young lady
to dance with. She was certainly the most
beautiful as well as the most distinguished
looking girl in the whole room. With
her usual thoughtfulness she would moi
stay late, as she knew that the General
must be tired.
That last dance was one of much pleas.
ure to her, as it was to her partner, Colonel
Singleton.
The General led the young lady out Of
the room while the Colonel offered his arm
to the aunt--the uncle following.
Some days after this might be seen GO
ing about in company the General, Colone
Singleton, Miss Mowbray, and sometime.
the uncle and aunt.
This went on for a week or more, wheI
happened what might have been expected
Ralph Singleton offered himself to Clar;
Mowbray and was accepted
When she accepted Ralph Singleton sh,
said: 81 have guardian in England, bu
as am of age can do as please, and
have done as | pleased. l have at las
found my ideal man. But out of courtesy
however, to my guardian, you must writ,
to him about your offer, Ralph, and m,
acceptance of it."
Certainly" said he. 81 was expecting Il
| ask your uncles consent"
A smile hovered round her lips, but sh,
said nothing.
Time sped rapidly and pleasantly will
them, and then came the time for her de
parture for home.
Colonel Singleton said / shall atten,
you home, and you must not think of GO
| inc hft as NV wife ~