Western liberal. (Lordsburg, N.M.) 1887-1919, 1891-06-05

made the fnery for the young ladies Of
the family, and no one troubled me.
Once, indeed, a rich old gentleman,
having somehow got my story from
good old cook, sought me out and made
me a proposition Of marriage, saying it
was n shame that such an elegant woman
should live as | did. But thanked him
and declined his offer. | was not un-
happy now, except that ! pinned for news
Of Harold, for in all these years no word
had come from him-none Of those let
tiers he had promised.
felt sure he was not dead, and it was
very natural thai 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 a
letter toward me.
II thought you had forgottenall about
him, madam" l 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 a man who dominates your Wilt
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. lie is rich-really rich. He has
made a fortune in California, and he is
coming home to see me. He is in New
York and viii be here tomorrow. The
squire is pleased; the girls are wild to
see him; his little brother is delighted"
She ran cut Of the room again, look
ing young and happy, and l sat down to
my machine, swallowing a great lump
that had risen in my throat.
He had not written to me. Well, ]
was only q servant, and he was a rich
man now. They were rejoicing in Shis
coming for that reason-the squire and
his children. He was n very different
person from the poor Harold Rolling
who went away.
81 expect he will give us lots Of pres
ents," l heard one of the girls say. can
older brother who is rich is a great thing
to have. We must pet him and make
him good natured."
ooh, yes" said the other. "oWhen
girls have as stingy a father as we have
a generous elder brother is a g~odsend."
And I-ohl if lie returned in rags,
begging his bread, l should have vel
coined him. cared for him, not for his
money. And If he had returned poor it
was / to whom he would have written,
| knew we'll. 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 l 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 a way
they had. Then the great drawing room
doors were closed, shutting me out.
/, who loved him so dearly, went back
to my room alone, uncared for, wretchedI
1 felt as though my heart would break,
1 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.
Trembling, quivering, feeling as | had
never felt before, ! obeyed the summons
Iopened the drawing room door.
r The squire stood before the fire, i'm
, portant as usual. one hand in the breast
Of his coat, the other waving toward m,
, as he uttered these words;
dora, / have sent for You becaus
l Master Harold has returned, and wishe
to meet n faithful servant of the family.
I But before the words were out of hi
mouth, Harold, handsomer and larger
but the same for all that-the very Har
, old that / knew-rushed forward an'
|, took both my hands and bent down AM
kissed me.
Q 81 told you, sir" he said, "that
, wanted to see Dora-the dearest bein.
0 alive to mel Such words as you utter
cannot permit you TO speak as thong.
r they were mine. You have never Il
o ceived any of my letters, Dora, but
o have guessed why"
|, 81 never have received a letter, Han
o old" l answered.
t $50 l thought" said he. I'VE Wi
a not ask who kept them from you.
/ have no wish to quarrel with any one
v but you Toro my only friend years ag
when / went out into the world home
+ less and penniless, and l have come no'
t to ask you to share with me the HON
o that l can now offer to you"
@ "Share your home, HaroldF' cried th
l. squire. 'The girl Is not your sister.
n can't be done. II would be improperI'
i 81 am glad, sir, that the girl is nc
my sister" replied Harold, 'for she
l. the girl / want for my wife; and here
t before you all, / ask her for her hear
" and hand, and proud shall be if sh
, will give them to me-"
could not answer, but he saw all
q felt in my face, and led me away wit
10 him.
IS There was no quarreling. People hk
the squire and his family never often
rich people, and | am the happiest W.
man hving.-Mary Kyle Dallas in Fir,
d side Companion.
M