Los Angeles herald., 1891-04-12

my upper room and work I was SO
thankful for the change. Now I could
read little and be more to myself. I
made the finery for the young ladies of
the family, and no one troubled me.
Once, indeed, rich old gentleman,
having somehow got my story from
me a proposition of marriage, saying it
was a shame that such an elegant woman
should live as did. But thanked him
and declined his offer. I was not un-
happy now, except that pined for news
of Harold, for in all these years no word
had come from him-none of those let
ters he had promised.
felt sure he was not dead, and it was
very natural that he should forget to
write; but my heart had no rest. He
was twenty-six years old by this time,
and in all that time much might have
happened.
Ny pillow was often wet with tears
from thoughts of him-fancies Of what
he had suffered, and longing to meet
him, or only see him from afar but once
again.
At last news came. Mrs. Halstead
came running into my room wild with
joy.
''News of my boyr' she said, holding
letter toward me.
II thought you had forgotten all about
him, madam" said.
was sorry the next moment, for she
burst into tears and faltered through her
sobs:
"You don't know what it is to be the
wife of man who dominates your will!
Inever have forgotten or ceased to re-
gret other things" Then she wiped her
eyes and said: 'But, as far as Harold
goes, it is all over. He has written to
me. He is rich-really rich. He has
made fortune in California, and he is
coming home to see me. He is in New
York and will be here tomorrow. The
squire is pleased; the girls are wild to
see him; his little brother is delighted"
She ran out of the room again, look
ing young and happy, and I sat down to
my machine, swallowing great lump
that had risen in my throat.
He had not written to me. Well,
was only servant, and he was rich
man now. They were rejoicing in his
coming for that reason-the squire and
his children. He was very different
person from the poor Harold Robling
who went away.
81 expect he will give us lots of pres
ents," heard one of the girls say. "An
older brother who is rich is great thing
to have. We must pet him and make
him good natured."
ssOl, x-oe cold <1,o o%1,o~ ssvUI.,x~
girls have as stingy father as we have
generous elder brother is godsend."
And I-ohl if he returned in rags,
begging his bread, / should have well
coined him. cared for him, not for his
money. And if he had returned poor it
was to whom he would have written,
knew well. But tried to put the self
ish thoughts away and rejoice for his
sake that he had prospered, even if he
had forgotten his little sister Dora.
The morrow came. AS I sat at my
machine heard the sounds below that
told he had arrived. heard his mother
cry out and the squire say heartily,
"Welcome home, my boy!" and his
sisters squeal and giggle after way
they had. Then the great drawing room
doors were closed, shutting me out
l, who loved him so dearly, went back
to my room alone, uncared for, wretchedl
felt as though my heart would break.
could no longer keep back my tears.
Half an hour passed; then some one
came to the door-a servant-who told
me briefly that was wanted in the par
lor.
7 1,o1
never felt before, I obeyed the summons.
IOpened the drawing room door.
The squire stood before the fire, i'm
portant as usual, one hand in the breast
of his coat, the other waving toward me
as he uttered these words:
"Dora, have sent for you because
Master Harold has returned, and wishes
to meet faithful servant of the family
But before the words were out of his
mouth, Harold, handsomer and larger,
but the same for all that-the very Har-
old that l knew-rushed forward and
took both my hands and bent down and
kissed me.
II told you. sir" he said, "that l
wanted to see Dora-the dearest being
alive to me! Such words as you utter
cannot permit you to speak as though
they were mine. You have never re-
ceived any of my letters, Dora, but l
have guessed why"
81 never have received letter, Har-
DID," answered.
$50 thought" said he. Eve win
not ask who kept them from you.
have no wish to quarrel with any one;
but you were my only friend years ago
when went out into the world home
less and penniless, and have come now
to ask you to share with me the home
that I can now offer to you."
"Share your home, Harold9' cried the
squire. "The girl is not your sister. 1t
can't be done. It would be improperr
'sI am glad, sir, that the girl is not
my sister," replied Harold, ''sor she is
the girl / want for my wife; and here,
before you all, ask her for her heart
and hand, and proud shall I be if she
will give them to me-"
could not answer, but he saw all
felt in my face, and led me away with
him.
There was no quarreling. People like
the squire and his family never offend
- c,~I +ho