Ceredo advance. [volume] (Ceredo, W. Va.) 1885-1939, 1892-07-27
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CHAPTER XIV.
A STRANGE VISIT.

According to promise i wrote to Mrs.
Cornell as soon as i was settled. giving
her a cheering account of myself and
announcing with considerable pride
that I was gaining my own support.
spoke in my letter of Mr.. Demands gen.
crosby and praised him highly, but
said little of his wife, knowing nothing
of a pleasant nature to say and prefer
ring not to speak of her faults l did
not neglect to express my thanks for
the rnany kindnesses shown me by the
Cornells, and / begged the good old
lady to believe that was ever grateful
to her. as well as her husband and son,
for their generous consideration of one
who had no claim on them save the
common one of humanity.
In due time received an answer TO
my letter. II was a long ep,stle.
penned. as / supposed, by Charles Cor
ncifs hand, though it came from his
mother and bore her signature. The
letter did me world of good, for every
dine of it was fraught with love such as
n mother would express to an absent
daughter, and after reading it felt so
much less alone and friendless. 1t con-
tanned much good advice, too, given in
such n delicate way as not to appear in
the least officious; and, besides. il bore
many expressions of motherly solicit
Sude.
Remember" it concluded, that If
you ever stand in need of friends or a
home you have but to come to us.
Both my husband and son beg me to as
sure you that il would afford them the
greatest pleasure to be of service TO
you. So, my dear, do not, out of false
modesty or pride, fail to avail yourself
of our assistance should you ever need
it"
The letter came to my lodging during
the day and it was after supper that l
took IL to my room to read its contents.
was alone and did not hesitate to shed
tears of gratitude when / had perused
the pages and sat recalling the incidents
of my stay nj the home of the Cornells
1 reviewed in detail all the events of
that happy week, dwelling fondly on
each kind word and act, and especially
fondly on those connected with Charles
Cornell.
My mind was so thoroughly taken up
with retrospective thoughts that ! be-
came completely oblivious to my sur
roundings, and for an hour l lived
apart from my physical being. was
aroused ut last by a sharp knocking at
my door and standing up 1 discovered
that tho night had stolen in, and that
the rdotn was quite dark save for n
faint streak of moonlight that was
falling in through the window. ! sup
posed the knocking came from my
iandlady, or some one else connected
with the house. and ! went immediately
TO the door; but / started back in sur
prise when i saw who my visitor was,
and for minute stood gazing blanllly
before me, making no effort to utter a
word. My visitor noticed my surprise,
and, allowing his feelings to relax into n
pleasant smile, said:
Miss Owens, have startled You by
appearing so unexpectedly at your
home, but trust you will pardon me
for the liberty | have taken in coming
unlimited and unannounced. The
thought just came to me an hour since
that ought to see whether you were
comfortably situated. and presuming on
our relationship ! made bold TO come
and see you at home. i beg that you
viii not consider my visit an intrusion -
mo, sir;" l replied, still too startled
to speak and act commercially. l did
not know what / ought 10 say or do,
and Instead of becoming calm and col
Iected, / grew more and more confused
every moment 4 did not invite my