Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1898-07-18


very prosperous in business. Yet he
had never enjoyed the ease and luxury
that was all about him. For many
years past he had been 80 taken up
with his mad race for wealth that he
had neglected his church and all his
Christian duties and had even lost all
faith. This had grieved Fred very
much, for the young fellow had de
voted heart.
Although the note which Mr.. Dar-
ling had written was short and chilly,
Miss Norlan wrote to tell the brother
about the captured letter, which she
had in her possession, and she asked
if the mother was yet alive. She
wrote: II will gladly give up the le!t-
ter that l have. ] am sure that it will
be a great comfort to friends of his,
for it is beautiful in its sincerity and
simplicity"
Mr.. Darling when he had received
the first note of the girl becam suspi-
cious that someone wished to extort
money from him. But the tone of
Miss Norlan's reply moved him some
what, and to Fred it was q sweet, ten
der letter, and he began to have n
strong desire to know the .girl with
such heart as the writer of the let
ter must have. As Fred read the let
ter it dawned upon his father what a
manly, whole-souled fellow his son
had become. After Fred had read
the pages he looked up and said:
Say, father, let me answer this, will
you?" Then added, not without
showing his pleasure, 81 think the
author of such letter must be more
than ordinary, and I'm completely in
terested"
Eyes, Fred, I think you are right
answer it," Fred wrote Miss Norlan
long letter and told her much of the
life and character of his Uncle George,
and that his father said that he was
an image of his uncle. 1t was a gra-
cious letter and one that made Miss
Norlan feel that she was we'll paid for
her trouble. Fred had not long to
wait before he received his uncle's
letter and brief note from Miss Nor
Ian.
Summer had nearly passed since
the incidents above related had taken
place when one evening, as Fred was
reading 'The Reveries of Bachelor, "
his father came into his study and
said: "Well, my boy, how would you
like the idea of taking a trip up
North? I have some business there
that must be done, and it will be fine
fun for you"
Just the thing! I'm tired of do
ing nothing, and you know how 1
like to travel" Fred replied.
"Well, then, be ready and go next
week"
Fred was delighted at the thought
of visiting the North, and was espec-
tally interested since he found that
his business would take him to the
State in which Miss Norlan lived.
Fred made the journey, and after
he had finished his fathers affairs he
made a special trip to Ashley, for he
had determined to know Miss Norlan.
Fred wrote note telling her that he
had come North on business, and had
stopped at Ashley purposely to call on
her if she would grant him the pleas
ure.
Miss Norlan had often thought of
Fred and was no less pleased to meet
him than was Fred to meet her, and
having her fathers permission, she in
vited Fred to call. The following
evening when Fred was ushered into
the drawing room Miss Norlan re-
ceived him kindly, saying in her quiet
manner, "Mr. Darling, you don't look
a bit as l imagined you would"
"Then you are disappointed in
me?" said Fred, laughingly. They
shook hands as old friends might have
done, and they were not long in get
ting acquainted.
Fred told Miss Norlan all about his
home and they found many subjects of
common interest to talk about. The
evening was spent most pleasantly and
passed all too quickly.
"How long are you going to re-
main in town, Mr.. Darling?" said
Dorothy, as Fred arose to say good
night.
81 think shall leave tomorrow. [
am through with my business. 1 shall
probably spend n few days in Wash
luStoH. suppose ii nOu nave seen
the North unless 1 see Washington. "
"Oh don't think of going so soon.
Why, the idea of such thingl Stay
and see our metropolis. It's far ahead
of any other city of the North"
Before Fred went back to his room
that evening he had promised to stay,
nor did he need much coaxing to help
him make up his mind to do SO.
Colonel Norlan aud his daughter had
greeted Fred 50 heartily that he felt
he was quite welcome. Fred and
Dorothy were together much of the
time, and Fred never spent so happy
week in all his life; the truth was,
that before the end of the week he
loved Dorothy beyond measure. When
he left he promised to visit his friends
again at Christmas time.
On Fred's return to his home he
had much to tell his father of the
Norlan family. Nor did it escape the
notice of Mr.. Darling that very often
there came in the mails neat. we'll