The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1896-01-24

TO her mother she said more, "I love
Dabney SO dearly that to think of Ray
mond as my husband would be in my
eyes sin"
November was biting the last of the
autumn flowers black with its frosty
breath. Yet little while, and her fifth
key would comet Perhaps Dabney with
it'll
And on that same November day
Dabney, conscious of having lost his
way in the lonely country road, turned
aside to ask for shelter at the first door
he came to-
He was afoot and respondent. 1t had
not been easy for man trained to moth
ing in particular to accomplish any
thing. All his bright hopes of ultimate
| ~ enriching the dear old folks at home
were as withered and lifeless as the au-
tumn foliage about him.
For two years now he had been q
briefess young lawyer. He was going to
try his fate in a nearby town, where q
| partnership in an assured business might
be worked up to. But his jaded beast
failed him in the cleaning Of raw
day. A glimmer of light from the win
dows Of large country house, set far
back from the road, gave him courage.
He pressed toward it to demand that
hospitality Virginian never refuses.
He found himself in an odd house.
hold, white haired spinster, once
handsome, now fragile and palpably ILL.,,
for hostess; two servitors, black, faith
full, attached-no one else; evidences Of
wealth everywhere.
1t was after his supper that Dabney,
deeming it her due, told his hostess all
about himself. She listened with eager
attention, fixing him with her great
melancholy eyes. She spread her hands
tragically as he ceased speaking.
"a lawyer, heaven sent one-I am
dying woman. I doubt if shall be
here ON Christmas morning Tomorrow
was going to dispatch Nathan for a
lawyer. want my will made. l want
to make right q wrong Of long standing.
Somewhere in the world 1 may have q
nephew, one to whom I ought to have
been mother. My heart was not in the
secession cause, and l removed to Eu-
rope A year ago came home to die.
If this boy can be found, he shall have
everything leave. If he cannot be, it
will go to an asylum for soldiers Or
phans. Let me tell you all about it.
Dabney put out his hand restraining
her. Zone moment, dear lady. You are
about to confide family story to me.
You have nothing but my unsupported
not a Low 10
man.
"And your face" she said, smiling
into it.
81 had rather you should have some
thing more reliable. With your permits
sion, will fetch some credentials. -
For the first time since it had been
put into his hand the majors letter oc-
Cured to his mind. He put it into her
hand. She glanced at its unbroken seal.
"It has never been opened!'
emo, but I can vouch for its veracity
Kindly read it. -
And while his hostess bent her stately
white head over the unfolded sheet Dab
ney was casting about in his mind for
schedule of prices that might apply to
the drawing up of wealthy spinster's
will. If his fee should prove hand
some one, he would send Christmas
check to Uncle Duke.
His gaze had been rowing about the
handsome room. A startled cry from
his hostess brought his attention back
to her. She was staring at him with
glittering eyes, the letter held straight
out in one hand.
"Dabney Lawrence Denton was the
name of my nephew, the nephew in
whose favor want my will drawn %
He smiled. "Dabney is my own first
name--a very common name in Vir-
ginia"
Major Duke Fairchild was my broth
er's friend-was my friend-when he
joined the rebel forces. broke my en-
gagement with him and went to Eu-
rope. T"
"Yes?" a withered romance unfold
ing before his eyes.
, "Boy, do you not know who you are?
This letter says you are the son of Law
renee Denton.
Dabney's turn to stare had come
"And"-
"My nephewr" She stretched out her
thin, delicate old hands toward him.
"Oh, it is sweet, so very sweet, to look
upon the face of kinsman before CO.
Dear child, your pardon.
Dear aunt, your blessing" And
swiftly going toward her Dabney sealed
the lSinship with kiss.
The fifth Christmas eve and no key
Loulou wept herself to sleep that night.
How much longer would she be able to
Withstand the combined opportunities
OF her father, mother aud Raymond?
A mighty upronr Of voices, wheels,
barking dogs and slamming doors
reused her the next morning to the con-
seriousness of another Christmas, but
no Dabney What an unnecessary
amount of laughter and running about
What was Christmas without Dabney?
She was soon dressed, and running
swiftly down stairs with sense of be-
ing culpably late ran straight into Dab
ney's arms. Behind him stood stately
white haired lady whom he proudly in
troduced as his "aunt-Miss Denten."
And the stately white haired lady took