The Advocate and news., 1898-09-28

| IOYelleBL girl 1hu ever heSn' OuCu eyes,
such hair, and such lips! My pen is
not able to describe her. She was a
blonde and such a beautiful one! AS
We gazed at her we all invOluntarily
looked at Mildred. A greater resem-
blance we had never seen between an ut
ter stranger and our sister, Mildred was
a beautiful girl, but we had never paid
much attention to her, for we were used
to her looks and did not see any need of
cOmplimenting her. but as we looked at
the picture and then at her we knew she
was very pretty. Mildred was next to
me in age, she being sixteen and nearly
eighteen, and was, for her age, a pretty
good-siZed girl.
"Oh, Mildred!" cried Mary. Doesn't
she look like that picture, bOys?" she
said, turning to us.
We all nodded our heads for reply.
Now, let's dress her up and then see
the results"
She was soon dressed from head to foot
in the beautiful things, and when she
stepped out in front Of our little stage
curtain we held our breath in wonder
and surprise. You could not have told
whether she was the picture or the pic
ture was she, so exactly alike they
looked. She was simply grand as she
stood there calmly looking down on us.
Call Uncle Philip" Edmund said.
mo, no. Let Mildred go down to his
library and walk right in and surprise
him." said matter-of-fact Mary.
do! do!" we all echoed
"Well," said Mildred, II will, and you
Int hn Hrn vuffV,or and
me when enter. You go first and then
wait for me-"
We all ran down stairs and walked
bravely into the drawing-rOOm, which
was next to Uncle Philips library, and
sat down where we could see Mildred
when she entered. Uncle Philip was
writing and so did not notice us. AS
Mildred came down the broad, polished
stairs she met Aunt Caroline ESQ she
told me afterwards). That good old
lady threw up her hands and stared at
Mildred so wildly, Mildred thought it
best to speak to her.
Don't you know me, Aunt Gardiner
she asked. That made Aunt Caroline
all the worse, and as Mildred passed her
she gasped and sank into heap, with
her apron over her face, moaning as II
her heart would break. That frightened
Mildred little, but as she knew we were
anxiously waiting she hurried on and at
last she passed the drawing-roOm door
and tapped lightly on Uncle Philips
door. He turned to open it, but she en-
tered before he could do so, and what
a change came over him as he turned and
saw the lovely vision in the doorway!
He grew deadly pale and clutched the
back of his chair for support.
"Maerian," he cried, stretching out his
arms longingly. Mildred began to look
scared but could not move, Uncle Philip
advanced towards her with a wild,
haunted look in his eyes.
"Ah, you have come back to me at last,
my love-" he said tenderly. "You have
come back to be forgiven. Maerian, why
did you leave me?" he groaned.
Mildred saw something was wrong and
made desperate effort to speak, and at
last succeeded. Uncle Philip, don't you
know me?"
Know you? All, Maerian, how could
l forget you? Child, / know you, OF
course. Come, let me take you into my
arms and kiss your sweet lips as | did
the night we were married. what Is the
matter, Maerian? Do you still hate me?"
he asked, piteOusly.
Uncle Philip, Uncle Philip, it's Mil
dred, don't you know me?" the poor girl
said.
Mildred? Why, Mildred is my niece,
and you are not Mildred. You are Mae
rian," he answered, slowly.
'No, no, Uncle Philip, I'm Mildred.
Don't call me Maerian," she replied.
mot Maerian! You not Maerian! All,
would know you any place, my darling.
Don't try to fool me. Has your husband
forgotten his wife, think you, so soon?
No! You are my wife, my lost love
come back. Come to me, dearest, and
call me Philip as you did long ago.
What! You hesitate! You turn from
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