The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1895-10-10
A LOCK OF HAIR.

tiers, papers, bills and receipts had been
looked over, thinned out and put away.
1t was summer, and the windows of tbs
study were open. The house fronted upon
q square and had a garden at the back.
Through the window he could see the trcea
and hear the sound of laughter and happy
voices. His daughter Georgina was walk
ing in the garden with two of her young
friends. He could see her from where hs
sat. She was beautiful girl, with hen
jet black hair and large, dark eyes, stately
figure and rich brunette complexion, very
like her mother, whom he had married foJ
her beauty and her grace 20 years ago.
Mr.. Pewneu sighed. This is scandal
Gus world, as we all know. Mrs. GrUnd9
had dived deep into Mr.. Powneli's privass
history long ere this and had always averred
that Mrs. Pownell, with all her beauty.
was only coquette, who thonght much
more of exhibiting her charms in pubic
than of making the home of her husband
q pleasant place.
Be this as it may, it is certain that Mrs.
Pownell, still handsome-she WIS many
years younger than her hushand-saJ as
that moment in her drawing room enter
tanning two handsome and courteous eff
GERS belonging TO one of tie French vessels
then lying in the bay. while Gcorgina and
her young friends were laughing and gos-
siping with three moro officers IN the gar
den It is also certain that though Mr..
Pownell was a'polite and attentive cavalier
to his wife and daughter whenever they
required his services, he would Is soon
have gone for sympathy in trouble or dis
grace TO the man in the moon or to the
Egyptian sphynx rs TO either Of these.
He listened now to the light talk and
laughter ripping Up from below, with a
curious expression on his face 1t WIS
opera night, and he was III fun evening
dress, for in the course of an hour he was
to escort the ladies to their box. AIean-
while he was best IL his study-they with
their guests.
Opera night! An oraen out in the
square suddenly struck up one of the vCry
airs he was to hear that evening lie
hummed it mechanically.
And then the stop was changed and an
old, old air rang ouu-an air that &c aad
thought sweet and sad and full &C tisa
most plaintive melody once!
Once! 1t must have been q hurGred
years or more since lac stood BESIDE he PAS
ture bars of the old home farm AID
heard sweet young voice till out the
plaintive music.
Those "Iong time ago. days were ovaz
forever for him! For his fashionable vie
and stately daughter they had never been
In his own life, harassed and anxious ss-is
had often been at times, was q store of ex-
perience such as they had never known
The organ played ON, and the fitch masl'a
thoughts went wandering back To thc oi3
red farmhouse. He saw himself 3s 5ere-
foot boy, driving the cows home, with 2
little blue eyed child in pink giueham
and sunbonnet motting by HIS side. Hg
saw himself u lad at school, ape the pinis
bingham frOck sat near him BE saw AitM-
self later still a spruce clerk in q cGlns--y
store. The pink gingham had changed 20
a lawn sprinklcd with for- tnenres as
blue as the wearer' eyes or ills own lie
glanced at the glass now. His Co = Nyofa
dim with unshed tears.
Pretty, gentle quiet little Sr-ie Hryl
How sweetly those blue eyes looked IA ~
him over the pasture bars fsg noc1iis'-g
that night! How plainly lc coul4 Iear
the soft, clear voice still-swcae. Hst wa
dash Of sadness in it all tile slmcl How
he had loved her then, with al. tae a.C,or
of a boys first love! How riee&,s and
modestly she had returned th..- uory hols-
ferrous affection! How pure s.A5 waa-hoW
truel
The organ ceased. The man was nov
ing away when a purse clanlzed II ihs
pavement at his feet lie saw tbs h.llst
that had thrown it to him close 5i2i blind,
and the poor Italian went away eiils,i.
Susie, oh, if l had but been Is tsIo Is
you were If you were only my WIFE resv
If my child was your daUsn5cr-how
different life might bet eroarel t-e :slan
as he flung himself into his seat. &c
touched a spring in the safe that stood
open before him, and q secret door sid OFT
1t contained only two thngs-a 'vitlcre3
syringa blossom and q tress o. chestnut
hair. Poor as the treasures wcso. they
were more than house or ia3Ga 10 che lcne-
ly millionaire
Alas! His repentance came too late for
atonement, as repentance almost .lV ays
does in this weary world of ours. lie had
left the girl he loved-dnscrtld hor foI ti4s
sake of his ambition, and when re w9uld
have returned 70 her SIZE was lying in he
village chIrchyard, and the age upon the
stone above her head was %.
Like one in dream the rich man sat
his face bent Gown upon tle hair, which
was wet with his falling tears.
Presently came Il light tap at The d1cr.
Papa, we are nearly ready sr.id
lady's voiue. Mamma has rung Ter The
carriage
There was slight pause.
Very we'll, dear, " said Mr.. Povnau,
with an effort, III his usual tone.
Ten minutes later he came out, locked
the study door behind him and haadsd his
wife and daughter to the cs.rriage with his
usual grave courtesy. He Kept in the back
of the box that evening and was very 81
lent.
When six months later tho rich men died
after a short illness those who prepared
him for his burial found resting upon his
heart little locket containing woman's
hair They left it there, and If was buried
with him. Mrs. POwneu knew nothing II
it. / doubt if it would have troubled her
much il she had been told.-New York
Advertiser.
The One WIN Trusts
A little fable says: "Once there was
foolish woman who continually mistook
brass and other inferior articles f9r gold