The Black Hills union. [volume] (Rapid City, Pennington County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1889-1904, 1900-09-14
sor me, and think she has now fallen

time Tor the departure OF the western
train. Madam. madam. called,
your child will be LETT belindv The
shrek of the locomotive whistle was
my answer and before I could leave
the car to summon one of the railroad
officials the two trains We're steamng
away from the station in different di.
rections.
II had not more than ten miles fur
ther to travel, and as soon as could
recover from the embarrassment of
the circumstance laid my plans ac-
cordingly. would leave the child in
the care of some person at the station,
telegraph back to the city report of
the occurrence, and description of
the heaftless mother-but, ass,redly,
avoid naming the disagreeable occur.
renee to Irene.
AT this moment the village near
which stood the house and beautiful
grounds of Mr.. Fortescue appeared in
sight. The rustic church upon an en-
inence, overlooking the few scattered
dwellings,. was the next object, and
once more the train slackened its
speed. took the child in my arms
and descended to the platform, and
what a sight met my eyes as hurried
along! The pony carriage of the For
tescues! Irene, and another lady, the
occupants, and gentleman. "a friend
of my own, whom had introduced to
Irene) on horseback ut her side, his
hand upon the carriage door.
Oh, the unfortunate baby" cried.
and shook it in desperation.
81 now comprehend, Mr.. Warne
foro,' said Irene, in bitter tone, why
you failed to come yesterday You
were engaged with your charming
fainily-I congratulate yo,i.'
Irene, Irenev exclaimed. in
agony, allow me to explain
"She flashed one scornful glance
from her dark eyes, and lashiEs her
spirited ponies, drove rapidly off l
deposited my unlucky burden in :he
nearest waiting-room and rushed out
again to relate my adventure, and re-
quest the advice of magistrate, who
resided in the village.
".A most annoying affair for you,
MI. Warnefold' said he, at the con.
clusion Of my recital, but as for the
child, of course, it must be sent to the
poor-house'
"Oh, uncle! and was the poor thing
sent to that dreadful place." asked
Nellie, cempassionately.
mo, Nellie, for 1 returned to leave
some money and my address, that l
might be communicated with, in the
event OF the child being claimed, and
the little creature smiled in my face
and grasped my finger III :ts tiny hand
as If it recognized me. l pitiad it's
helplessness. and as the wife of one
Of the porters-who seemed to be
kindly woman-proposed. for a iritiing
sum to bring it up with her own, 1
gave it into her charge"
"Oh.. that wretch could not be it's
mcther." calculated Nellie; ''she had
stolen it: What was she Ikea
gipsy:"
She lad the same fair hair and
delicate complexion as her child-but
she ellded all discovery, and why she
deserted it was never known.
Il returned home, and secluding my
self in my laboratory, endeavored to
forger the day-dreams OF the past.
Some little benefit may have resulted
from my labors in the science OF chem
istry-but the harder science OF Win
ming a womnus heart [ never sought
again."
And what became Of the poor baby?
Did you ever see it since that day."
"A good. charitable lady, who, in her
| lifetime was ever active in deeds of
mercy. was so interested in the child's
story that 81 e determined to adopt 1t,
and brought it up in her own home. l
have no fear that the child will inherit
TIL, mothers faults, for there Is the
KIDD friend who moulded her youthful
mind
Mr.. Warneford pointed to the por-
trait Of sweet-looking woman, whose
eyes seemed to look down upon the
pair now seated beneath her.
Dear Aunt Elinor" murmuled Mel.
lie, rs her eyes fell upon her own
black dress. Then suddenly starting
to her feet she breathlessly exclaimed
WHO, then, is that deserted cnild!"
SHE was also called Elinor."
| "No cOuntry-no kin-nn name-only
waify' and tears rained dowa poor
Nellie's cheeks
my country is yours, dear one. and
husbands love ard husbands
name shall protect you from all oh.
loquy." And Arthur Trevelyan's arms
were round the weeping girl, while he
kissed away her, tears. Il have heard
Mr.. Warneford's story of the past,
Nellie, and now understand his mo-
tive for refusing me your hand"
"And you will never in afte. years
cast one reproach upon me for
She shuGdered and left the word
unspoken.
Nellie, car you ask me? have
loved you for Your own dear sake, for
that of your guardian and his kind Sis
ter. chose YOU from out Of .he
world
She raised her dropping head and
looked into his face. Could sine mis-
trust those truthful, earnest eyes?
That brow whereon was stamped
4 Z, ,,ot,;Ys&r so,,19 ~.