Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1892-03-10

his face softened by the scene of
mother and child.
Il must thank you," she said
sweetly, extending her hand, for
bringing my little Fredrica to me.
Ihad just come home, and had
searched the rooms for herin vain,
and was terribly alarmed. It is
not like her to do anything to dis
tress me- +
sFredrise and have something
to tell you, If you will allow me to
come in. tits about a little mat
teryof business your daughter has
brought to my notices." said Eric.
Wonderingly. Agnes LeCharlton
bade him enter, and he followed
herin the little home that was
destined to become a cherished re-
treat to the busy man of the
world.
During the talk that followed,
Agnes learned that Fredrica's new
friend was an editor, and one Of
the proprietors Of the big evening
paper to which she had sent the
story which was returned. 1t was
nota part of his work to examine
such matter, SO Mrs. LeCharlton's
manuscript had not come under.
his notice. This he explained as
he asked her to show. him her
work.
She brought out the story and
some other sketches with inward
perturbation, aud gave them to
him. Before he had half finished
the first. there was the light of aD-
proval in his eyes, and Agnes felt
that he had found something of
worth in her writing. His words
of praise were few but sincere, and
the criticisms he made were grate-
fully received.
When Eric Boynton left them,
after an affectionate farewell from
little Fredrica, he carried the story
with him, promising to use his in
iuence in getting it accepted.
Within a week the story appeared
peared in the columns q his paper.
Itwas e. simple but skl llfallyYs
s. ln S6dth; +
ahere Agnes had spent her girl
hood. Itpleased the public who
we're satiated with the sensational,
unreal tales that were flooding the
periodicals.
Thanks to Boynton's influence,
Mrs. LeCharlton soon become a
regular contributor to the paper.
Their business relations-or what
Eric Boynton insisted upon calling
their business relations-bronght
them together frequently. He be-
came a familiar at the little home.
Ere long Fredrica was almost as
fond of him as her mother, and
the remembrances of fruits,
flowers and bon-bons which he al
ways brought her, did not dimin-
ish her affection,
One day when she sat upon his
knee in the drawing room, Eric
said to her, "Fredrica, will your
'Liebchen' do what you ask her to
do?"
eyes, indeed, Mr., Eric. Why?"
asked the bhild.
"Then go to her, dear, and ask
her to bring you and come and
live with me, in my great big,
lonely house."
The big editors voice was full
of something which Fredrica
could not understand; She looked
at him to gee what he meant, but
his eyes were fixed on her mother's
face, which was bent low over
some flowers she held in her hand.
Slipping from his knee, Fredrica
obediently advanced to her mothers
side, and repeated his words.
Then Eric Followed ,kneeling be-
side her, he took her hand in one
of his, and Fredrica's in the other.
"Agnes," he pleaded, let the
child be ney champion, as she was
once yours before me. Come with
her and fill my life and my home
with the light of your presence.
My days shall be devoted to
making you happy"
AS Agnes gave him the answer
he longed for, wave of happiness
swept over her. She felt that the
man whose heart was large enough