The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1892-12-25


stopped till she was safe in the humble little
room where her gentle mother st Sin ,-sI in
the twilight, YEARLY drcoping her aebinr
mead over the work, ana 8nxiously listen
ing for the return OF her abssnt darling.
Wnat proud moment it wss for sweet
Annie Mayl How full her little heart when
she put the money in her mothers hand ana
tcid ner story about the kind gentleman
VINO nal given 50 much money for her roses.
IL would nave been touching lesson for
the proud man II he could have seen all the
happiness that grew out of his eift to the
httLe Hover girl-the Gift so trifiIng to himl
tne merchant needed some one to soothe
MIN that night when he paced his room SO
uneasily. why was he disturbed? Il wes
not business cares. No; it was the vision OF
tne little flower girl that troubled him, and
neF cq!ldlsh volcs was still ringing IN his
YES, it must be, " hs nluruurcd. "Ths
name removes all doubt. Auuie-Annie
May. l spoke roughly to her. cd hess
her! She always prays for grandpapa. o,
has II come TO this! Nv CONS child in the
streets selling flowers. To think that those
Re loved are in this extremity, while =
But they did notseek my help. WhyshouId
they when they knew l shut him from, nv
nearts II ! could but undo the past. o,
Willie Wllliew
The name brooks on the silence Of the
room IN II low, sharp cry of agoay. It was
one OF those everyday stories Of life 60
Often realized in our busy world The
merchant had an only son, the pride of his
heart and the object of all his ambitious
hopes Like many fathers. he planned his
sons marriage with a wealthy heiress. But
the young man fell in love with the daugh.
ter Of poor clergyman; He persuaded
TIE girl into a private marriage.
thinking that after the first stormy
meeting was over bis father would relent
he thought that one sight of his young
wife would charm away his anger. But
the young man did not know what it would
take 10 uproot his fathers pride and preiu-
dice. His meek wife weps and pleaded for
her boy as only mother could weep and
plead. She did not live twelve months
after his Punishment her husband knew il
had broken her heart; but this only added
new bitterness to his anger against his SON.
Every day the breach between fat er aud
son grew wider. When they met it was as
strangers. The sons letters were sent book
unopened.
The young man struggled bravely against
poverty, till protracted illness reduced
him and his loved ones to what he had much
dreaded. He died, leaving his Young wife
and babes TO the mercy of the world Mr..
Browne read the tidings OF his sons death
with apparent calmness. Dear little Annie
was the unconscious avenger Of her fathers
wrongs. Who could have told what was to
result from the sale Of those simple roses.
Convinced beyond q doubt that An
ME May was his grandchild,
the humble, repentant man went next dsy
with as much speed as bis carriage and
sleek horses could take hum to the address
he had written in his pocketbook. He did
all be could to atone for his past harsh
ness, never allowing himself a moments
rest till ne had taken the widow and chill
dren OF his lost son to gladden. his lonely old
age, The wealthy merchant soon learned to
love his daughter-in-law, and ceased to
wonder that she had won his sons heart
His only sorrow was that he was now so
soon TO lose her, for she was hooeess con-
sumptive, and the struggle with poverty
had worn her life away. Armies mother
was fading like the light CT a summer even
ing.
1t was noticed that Mr. Browne had always
q marked fondneSs for roses He was very
proud OF Willie for he reSembled his father
and Inherited his talents. But Annie was
the old mans idol. The dearest wish of the
merchant was granted, for he lived TO see
Annie grown to womeuhood and to give
her hand at the alter to one whom her heart
had chosen, and who proved himself worthy
OF the precious gitt.
The rich mans beautiful grandchild
might have sought more ambitious mar
risge, but her grandfather said that Annie
May would have wealth enough for both
He had learned from the sad past not 10
seek to divide the hearts that love has drawn
together.
When her grandfather died Annie was
his last earthly thought. He held her dear
hand in his till death had l0osed his hold Of
life, and Annie's fair face was the last on
which be closed his fading eyes.
1.-THE END.