The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1891-07-22

"MABEL. DO YOU REMEMBER ME-?
the end window He grasped some
thing that lay on the desk and fol-
lowed. They were evidently making
for boat at the end of the wharf, but
the hindmost stumbled and fell, and as
he sprang up, Graham gave him a blow
on the head that laid him out. Old
Martin joined him with a lantern.
''Turn the fellow over till we can see
his face. AS Il live, it is Philip Daily,
the scoundrel! What have you got in
your hand?"
George looked.
'Why, it is surely the safe key"
Martin was amazed-the genuine was
certainly in its accustomed place in the
house and yet the safe had been opened.
Comparison of the two at once made
the plan of the robbery manifest-the
key in Graham's hands had been the
means of bringing Daily to justice and
he went to jail with very sore head.
Graham renewed his suit, but Mrs.
Bentz had evidently resolved that he
should not marry her daughter, and
Mabel had not force of character enough
to act Independently, so George bidding
them all good-by left, and next day
they heard that he had shipped on a
vessel bound for India.
Mabel mourned his absence, and, as
is often the case, found that she loved
him more than she had imagined; but
three years passed away and no word
came from her old lover.
Martin Bentz' health began to fail
| and his wife thought that it was time
for her daughter to marry. Mr.. Gray
ley had a nephew named Sands who
worked around the place, and he had
been paying Mabel much attention and
finally spoke to her mother, and, after
much persuasion and some secret tears,
the girl accepted him and they were
married Sands was not bad fellow.
but he was utterly feeble in character,
and after four years of dull and spirit
less married life, Mabel found herself
a ;childless widow. Her father was
dead and when her mother spoke of her
marrying again, Mabel said, with I'M
usual frmness: Mother, your inter-
ference broke up my life and will not
allow it to influence me again; don't
speak to me about these matters, as
you only give me pain"
George Graham had prospered as
sailor, and one day he came to Phila-
| delphia, captain of "a magnificent clip
per ship. He had cargo consigned to
| firm on Delaware avenue, and went
to their counting house and was very
politely received. Captains were big
ger people then than now. CHANGING
around he saw hanging on the wall a
large key. Memory at once recalled
the house in the boatyard and his lost
sweetheart. "You are looking at that
key" said one of the partners; ''well,
that belonged to one uncle OF mine
named Grayley-it has history-and
when the old house was torn down l
kept this as memento"
Graham was silent for a moment and
then asked: "Do you know anything OF
the family that lived in your uncle's
house,"
1.-The Bentzes! oh, yes, my uncle left
old Martins widow one hundred dol
lars. year as long as she lives. We
paw it to her. Her widowed daughter.
Mrs Sands, a very pretty and good
woman, comes for it, and, by the by,
it's due to-day, and here she comes-do
you know her?'
Graham was strongly moved. He met
her at the door and said mabel, do
you remember me?"
Poor girl, she stared at him for mo-
ment and then burst into tears. "Oh
yes! George, remember you well.
The sequel needs no telling. Capt
Graham made but one more voyage
and then married his early love. Old
Mrs. Bentz, fortunately, died soon al
terward.
The old key had been talis1nan and
it hung in the dingy Office. with tag
on telling from whence it came, until a
new generation came in, and then il
was thrown in the rubbish, and now
hangs battered, rusty and forlorn on
the wall of rag shop.-Philadelphia
Press.