The herald., 1896-12-20

from the villagers the story of SERVERS
devotion to Tom Flowers child, and,
young as he was, it-had thrilled him with
admiration for the poor hunchback.
None of the villagers could tell whether
he was any kin to the Flowers or not,
though all believed he was related in
some way to Nina's mother. They ex-
pressed themselves of the opinion that
the girl should not be taken away from
poor SERVER, now that he had nearly
reared her without the aid of her rela-
tives.
But it was through Harry that Nina S
relations hoped to secure their ne'er- do
we'll brothers child, and so impressed
had they been with her unusual beauty
and earnest, truthful disposition, they
determined to leave no stone unturned
to accomplish their purpose, now that
they had found her. OF course SERVER s
feelings must be consulted and the mat
ter arranged as smoothly as possible.
Harry, who had in spite of the ac-
cident become quite hero in the eyes
of his friends, and who was bearing
himself proudly, but nobly under his
new honors, was armed with many prop
ositions to SERVER concerning Nina, and
sent to the cabin; but no sooner had he
left the town behind him and begun to
climb the sweet-scented paths that led
to Nina's home than he laid the propo-
late a plan of his own.
He found SERVER gone to market and
Nina seated upon mossy viOlet-strewn
mound beneath a stately pine near the
cabin. She was knitting white, fieecy
woolen sock. which she said was Ser
viers. Nothing could have been more
fair than her sweet flower-like face, and
now that he found SERVER gone Harry
lost no time in laying before her her un-
cle's proposition.
Her face grew very pale as she listened
After he had finished she exclaimed,
What leave Servier-my good SERVER,
who needs me now, and who never de
serted me when needed him? Never!'
But Harry kept assuring her that it
was for SERVERS good-"Servier is old,
he would say, land will soon be unable
to provide for himself, and the accept
ance of this offer Che was compelled to
put it in that light places you in po-
sition to acquire am education so that
you can some day care for him."
But SERVER will never agree" re-
turned Nina with a mixture Of pain
doubt and acquiescence on her face
1t had reached the place where Harry
hoped to bring out the strongest point in
his plan. mo, Server will never agree
until he finds that you desire it above all
things-if it broke his heart, he would do
so them
He had said word or two too much
he knew when she returned quickly,
then I will not leave him, for would
not breat my good SERVERS heart for
all the world
Another half hours conversation, in
which Harry did most of the talking and
Nina. assured that 1t was her duty
promised to persuade SERVER to let her
go for at least a few years to her fathers
relatives.
"They have no children" Harry told
| her, land will love you as their own
and while you are gone will look after
Servier-how will that do, my little
| friend?"
"Yes, but love you and Server better
than 1 will ever love them, though,
| will try mighty hard" was Nina's hon
est but unsophisticated reply.
| But her nature was one of the very
| finest, and no sooner had she par
| taken of her relations hospitality and
| kindness than she began giving them
her love and affection in return.
What poor Server suffered in the sep
aration, he and his God alone knew
| Often during the weary years he got his
| clothing together with a wild desire to
start in endless wanderings, or, in the
| language of his former friends and com
rades, ito take the road again" but each
| time a strange and wondrous form OF
beauty appeared in the cabin, and. bend
| ing over him, soothed and hushed the
| wild desire. Once a voice of heavenly