Marble Hill press., 1897-07-29

MW what seemed to me
~ to be the breath OF
freedom. All our companions had
gone their several ways to see relatives
and friends who had believed them to
be dead. Even Tom Wren had left US
He had two sisters in Devon, to whom
it was right he should go without de-
lay; but it was only by strong per-
suasion that he was induced to leave
his fairy Pearl, and it was arranged
that he should come to us at Christ
mas, wherever we might happen to be-
"And this is London!" said Pearl
gazing about her in wonder. Mother
used often to speak of it. Daddy,
shouldn't like to be left here alone
It's very large, isn't it? And to think
that, of all the people in it, you are the
only friend I have!"
The fair young creature clung to my
arm wistfully and fondly.
"You are not the only one, deal
child" said l. when l was here last
my old mother was alive. I doubt, alas'
If she be alive now. II she is gone,
also shall be without friend but my
little Pearl. Well, dear child, we Will
rub along together, you and |. You
have no father or mother of your own
and I have no wife and child"
"Am / not your child?" asked Pearl
softly. "Never say that again, Daddy
Beecroft! l will be a good child to
you; and what father have | but you
my dear? You are not tired OF me
are you? We are going to live here all
our lives, you say. Say, Welcome to
our home, dear daughter "
l said the words, and kissed her In
the streets-I didn't mind the people
looking. They would have liked to
have been in my place. do not doubt
But there was no time to lose. There
were certain things to be seen to with
out delay. The first was, to inquire
after my mother. Away, then, we rat
tied to Brixton. I directed the driver
to stop within half mile of the place
wishing to walk thither, as | used to
do in the old days. What varied emo
tions agitated me as Pearl and
walked toward the familiar spot where
the sign of "Beecroft, Mariner used
to stand! My little girl saw that
was agitated, and did not disturb the
current of my thoughts, except ky a
fond and sympathizing pressure of the
arm. Great changes had taken place
New streets had been formed; new
houses had been built; old landmarks
had disappeared. But when I turned
the lane in which our cottage Used tc
stand, | saw with delight that it was
still there; and as surely as l lived
the fondly remembered device of Bee
croft, Mariner" was over the parlol
window. l paused a while.
Il have two strong wishes, my dear,
l said.
"Yes, daddy" said she.
"The first is, to find my dear old
mother alive. The second is, that we
may be able to live in that cottage"
"Why daddy" she said, "your name
is over it.! is 1t yours, them"
"No, dear child; but my father lived
in it before me, and passed there the
happiest years of my life. You mustn't
question me yet, my little daughter
Out of charity and mercy to one loved
most dearly, have never spoken of II
to you. My wounds open afresh as
gaze upon the place where l drew my
first breath. Come"
knocked at the door Of the cottage
an elderly woman appeared. I hardly
dared to hope that my mother woult
have answered me: but the disappoint
ment, for which I ought to have beer
fully prepared, gave me great shock
and I could scarcely find my voice.
"Forgive, me-" I said presently; "my
name Is Beecroft." ..
Indeed" said the woman, glancinf
in some surprise at the device of shells
above the window. "Not that Bee
croft?" -
"Beecroft, Mariner, was my father,
I replied. II was born here, and
have just returned to my native lane
after an absence of many years"
perhaps you and the young lady
would like to walk in," said the civi
woman.
did not require second invita-
ton. Much of the old furniture was
there; many of the old shells also. MY
eyes filled with tears as I gazed or
the dear mementoes. l entered into
particulars with the woman, who in
formed me that she and her HUSBAND
had lived in the cottage for ten years;
that the last tenant, an old woman
whose name, she said, was the same a.
my own, had fallen into poverty, ant
had been sold off, the landlord of tht
house buying the the furniture him,
self, and letting the place ready fur.
nished. asked after my mother
but the woman could give me no in.
formation Of her. She had left the
neighborhood when she was turned
out of the house. and had not beer
seen in 1t since. Upon further in,
quiry, ascertalned that there would bt
no difficulty in obtaining possession ot
the cottage, providing was willing tc
pay certain sum Of money to her hus.
band. To be brief, concluded the
arrangement the same day, and the
next morning took possession by con.
sent of the landlord, of whom pur,
chased the furniture at a price salts.
factory, am sure, to him, and quite
as satisfactory to me. Had he asked
me double the sum he named, | would
have given it willingly. So there
was once more In the old house al
home. To have obtained one of my
wishes thus easily was an omen oi
good luck.
"You are mistress here, my deal
child" | said to Pearl; and explained
to her how everything used to be ar.
ranged In the old times, and what
pride we took in the shells which my
father and l had brought home. She
listened attentively, as though she was
learning lesson, and after giving me
a dozen kisses. became excltedly and
delightfully."- busy. | told her to on!
gage a girl to assist her in the cottage
and upon her saying she did not want
one, | replied that Il was necessary
as | should be great deal away from
homo for a few days.
Il must find my mother, Pearl,
| said. Il must not lose an hour"
But my Inquiries appeared likely L