Delaware gazette and state journal., 1895-12-26

:, On' lom, and he left the little girl
all alone, " said Muriel, her soft, brown
eyes opening wide with wonder and
expectation.
Yes, alone, Muriel, save for her
nurse, good hearted but flighty young
woman, who had taken her home after
Douglas death. She showed the baby
10 Mr' Mericourt and begged him to
take her lie looked at the child, but
ms disappointment was so great that
she was a girl that he claimed not to
believe her to be his sons child.
futting her into basket which had
been used as crib, he gave her back
to the nurse, handing her a sum OF
money and telling her to keep the
child. He left the house Immediately
and the nurse found berself with the
baby on her hands, much to her DIS
comfituro. She was about to be mar
ried and knew that hor lover would oh.
iect to adopting child. A plan came
into her head. She remembered the
station agent at the village where she
was brought up; she knew the last she
heard of him he was childless, 30 she
addressed the basket to him and, hur-
riedly putting in the little girls ward
robe, she started off that very day for
her old home. think l know the
rest, said Muriel, tremblingly, her
hand seeking Toms.
Yes, some OF it, but not all, dear.
You know how she stepped off the train
and left the basket and how two Of the
best people in the world brought the
child up to be the sweetest Of all girls. +"
'Oh, Tom, go on with the story !;
never mind that, ~ interrupted Muriel.
who went to the city to seek his for
tune. And he had not been in the law
Office where he worked more than a
week or two when he heard how the
lawyers were hunting for girl who
had disappeared Is years ago. She wac
wanted to take possession of a grand
old English estate which was left to
her by the death Of her uncle, who had
been soldier. He died in India,
leaving no family. Her grandfather
had died many years previous to this
sons decease. The law firm was
searching for her, and it suddenly oc
Cured to the clerk that he could help
in that search, and his efforts have
been crowned with success And he
was sent by the heads of the firm to
inform her that she could take posses
sion at her earliest convenience, and
could they in any way serve her, they
We're at her command, and so forth and
30 forth.
80, of course, having TO obey his
instructions, but very much against
his will
Tom, don't be nonsensical; this ia
too serious
You must not interrupt. He went
to tell the heiress, and, actually
would you believe it?-there she stood,
as the train drew in waiting for tho
lawyers poor clerk. -
"Oh, mother, isn't ii all strange
and wonderful? 1t doesn't seem as 4
1t could be true!'
MY darling, am so happy for you,
but it's a loss to us, your father and
me" said Mrs. Brown, sadly.
why, mother, do you suppose |
would ever go step of the way to
England without you and father?'
Toms face saddened. and yet what
could he expect? He was no mate for
this sweet young heiress, whose wealth
and beauty would attract many grand
suitors.
Muriel threw her arms around her
fathers neck as she h d done in child
hood.
when shall we go?" she asked, OK
citedly.
"The lawyers say il will be best for
you to go immediately" said Tom,
coldly.
What is the matter with you, Tom,
don't you want to go?" asked Muriel,
anxiously.
Il supposed you did not want me
any more, now you are so rich, {" said
Tom rather ashamed to own his
thoughts.
Tom, my dear Tom, don't be silly.
Don't you think the trip to England
would be nice, pleasant moan en-
joyable wedding journey?" blushingly
questioned Muriel.