Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1891-04-11


Earle's study one day. He was, rs
on the day the little stranger had
fallen into his hands so mysteriously,
just one year ago, lazily reclining in the
same chair. He arose as she entered,
welcoming her with warm, pleased
smile.
"Ah, Miss Dot, you have baby, us
usual"
"Why, of coursel We are insepara-
BILE, and love her So"
He saw the wistful, yearning look
that she cast on the child, so full of
anxiety, too, that he felt something was
amiss.
What is the trouble, Miss Dot? Isn't
baby well?" And he took the curly
headed fairy up in his arms. He, too
had learned to care for the bluc-eyed
stranger.
Yes" hesitatingly, "baby is well;
but, oh, Guardy! l want to talk to you.
May -" and she looked at him anxious.
ly, entreatingly.
| "Why, child What do you mean?
| Why ask if you may? Am I not always
willing?"
Eyes, Guardy, yes! But it is about
-Lucie. Oh, DON'T" and she grasped
his arm with both hands, as she saw
the look of mingled rage and conster.
nation that had swept over his face.
Dorothy"
"Oh, Guardy, don't look so! Be pitt.
full" and the tears welled up into her
brown eyes, while his face softened
slightly.
''Thinll of all these years, and not
word from Lucie. Don't you want to
see her?"
mol" Distinctly and harshly the
word fell, and he threw off her hands
and walked to the window.
One moment the girl looked after
him, irresolute and doubtful, then she
followed. This time she did not touch
him, but laid one hand on the head OF
the child clinging to her dress.
"Guardy. l do not believe you.
know you do want to see her."
Miss Dorothy!' and Earle looked al
her in amazement.
II mean it. Since baby came you
have relented toward your sister. o,
Guardy, forgive her fully"
DOT, l cannot Think of mother.
You know and / know that it was
Lucie's disgraceful conduct that killed
her. Forgive her! Never"
"Thiuk of your mother in Heaven
pleading for her homeless child. She
loved and would have forgiven her, il
spite of all. Guardy, for her sake, call
her back"
With a stifled groan he staggered tc
n chair, burying his face in both hands.
Dot cast herself down at his feet, lay
ing one hand on his bowed head.
"Guardy." There was depth ot
: plying tenderness in heI young voice
, Let me tell you what know of Lucie
She is in B alone. Her husband is
dead, and she is longing to return home
=, long to have her. Her husband wa:
true, Guardy, and she loved him to the
end. Think of that. Oh, say something
to me! This awful silence frightens me
so'
He lifted his head slowly.
Let me think, Dot. l am beW'ild
cred" and he passed his hand over hi!
forehead.
"Yes, think, Guardy! Think of the
long years that have rolled by since sh'
last saw her home-her brother! And
oh, Guardy, think of the long, heart
broken year that has passed since SHE
l held her baby in her arms. Think how
she is yearning to feel the touch o
, warm, baby lips once more. Knowing
all this, can you refuse to allow her tx
return home?"
4 Her baby"
: "Yes, baby. This is hers. Her owl
Alice, named after your mother oh
Y don't send her away!" and the gir
sprang up, clasping both arms closel!
: around the child.
: ''This-Lucies child? Am l dream
: ing?"
Y mo, it is true" and she placed tn
a baby girl in his arms. Without wore
d he dropped his head over that of tn
: wandering child
S "And you knew it, Miss Dot?"
"Yes, i knew it," she repeated, hlm
e bly,; II hoped you would learn to low
+ baby, then, for her sake, would forgiv
|, Lucie. viii you do SO, Guardy?"
i "Let me think. Leave me for min
e ute, Dot"
c He kissed the child, gently replacing
: her in Dots outstretched arms. An
q her heart ached as she saw the painec
!, worn expression on his face.
: "Will you forgive me for my decei
c and intrigue frst?"
II have nothing to forgive. little Mis
It Dot and her eyes frightened as tn
# old pet name fell on her ear.
l. She closed the door gently, throwin
n one backward glance at him as he sa
d with bowed head
l. A few minutes later the door wa
# pushed open. He did not look VI
% thinking it was Dot, and he half e2
t. pected to feel her light hand laid on hi
e head. The silence oppressed him. ii
y lifted his head.
II "Lucie" he sprang from the chair
e took two steps towards the Sigh
black-robed figure, then turned frol
'f her.
/ ''No, Guardy! Not that" end anothe
st form flew across the room, graspin
O his arm and Dots fearful, pleadin