Smyrna times. [volume] (Smyrna, Del.) 1854-1987, 1891-12-16

J ing 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 the man who dominates
your will l never have forgotten or
ceased to regret 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 a fortune in Cali
fOrnia, 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 sat down
to my machine, swallowing a great
lump that had risen in my throat. lie
had not written to me. Well, l was
only servant and he was a rich man
now. They were rejoicing in his COM
ing home for that reasOn-the Squire
and his children. He was avery differ
ent person from the poor Harold Rob-
ling that went away.
II expect he will give US lots of pres
ents," l heard one of the older girls
say. IAN older brother who is rich is
a great thing to have. We must pet
him and make him good-natured."
"Oh, yes" said the other. When
girls have a stingy father as we, have
a generous older brother, it is a god
send"
And Lob if he would return in
rags, begging his bread, 1 should have
welcomed him. / cared for him, not
for his money. And ifhe had returned
poor it was l to whom he had written,
l knew well. But tried to put the
selfish thoughts away and rejoice for
his sake that he had prOspered, even
if he had forgotten his little sister
Dora.
The morrow came. AS l sat at my
machine l heard sounds below that
told me he had arrived. l heard his
mother cry out and the Squire say
heartily, Welcome home, my boy !"
and his sisters squall and giggle after a
way they had. And the great draw
ing room doors were closed, shutting
me out.
l, who loved him so dearly, went
back to my room alone, uncared for,
wretched felt as though my heart
would break. 1 could no longer keep
back the tears. Half an hour passed :
then some one came to the door,
| servant-whO told me briefly that
was wanted in the pariOF.
Trembling, quivering, feeling as
had never felt before, l Obeyed
the summons. l opened the
parlor door. The Squire stood before
the door, important as usual, one hand
in the breast of his coat, the other
waving toward me as he uttered these
| words:
Dora, 1 have sent for you because
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 Harold that l knew-rushed for
ward and took both my hands and
bent down and kissed me.
Il told you, SIR" he said, "that l
wanted to see Dora-the dearest being
alive to me Such words as you utter
l cannot permit you to speak as though
they were nine. You have never re-
ceived any of my letters, Dora, but l
have guessed why"
Il never have received letter, Har-
old, }" answered
$50 thought" said he. ave will
ask who kept them from you. 1 have
no wish to quarrel with any one; but
you were my only friend years ago
when l went out into the world, home
less and penniless, and 1 have come
now to ask you to share with me the
home that l can now offer you"
"Share yourRhome, Harold % cried
the Squire. "The girl is not your sis
ter. 1t can't be done. 1t would be
improper"
II am glad, sir, the girl is not my
sister," replied Harold, "for she is the
girl want for my wife; and here be-
fore you all ask her for her heart and
hand, and proud shall be if she will
give them to me-"
could not answer but he saw all
that l felt in my face, and led me away
with him.
There was no quarreling. People
like the Squire and his wife never
offend rich people, and am the hap.
piest woman living.