The Tupelo journal., 1903-05-15
''Hetherington?"

"Hetherington?"
Yes, Of course, that is it. Well,
now it turns out that the mans
wealth vas all sham and pretense.
He has been practically bankrupt
for years, and | may think myself
lucky that | was paid my last terms
bill. OF course, l shall get nothing
for this term, but fortunately it has
just commenced
Then you meal that Winnie must
go out to India?"
THAT would be a wild.goose
chase" said the schoolmistress with
a little scornful laugh. mo one
knows precisely what has become Of
Mr.. G~ordon-at least, / have not
been able to learn anything Of his
whereabouts, and l fancy more than
n of his creditors would give a
good round sun to get his address,"
Then what is to become Of VIM
nie?"
THAT is just what l would so very
much like to know. l hoped, when
the servant told me you had come
to inquire for her, that you might
have something to propose-some.
thing in the nature Of a home to of
fer her,
/ shook my head.
Then what is to become the poor
child | cannot imagine. She is too
young to earn her own living-much
too young. l cannot send her to the
workhouse, and yet l cannot be ex.
pected to keep her here for moth
ing"
mo n surely would be SO unrea-
sonable as to expect that you would
voluntarily do a thing of that kind
l exclaimed, and the lady looked at
me very sharply to see whether l
was speaking ironically before she
replied. II must try to get her into
some orphanage, but l fear it will be
very difficult"
AS she said these words the door
opened and a girl of about 16 came
shyly into the room. She was not
strikingly pretty, but her expression
was gentle and sweet and she was
pdiC DIS lfOIu IL EcCcuJ lllQeSS.
l beckoned her to come to me, and
without noticing the young man who
stood hat in hand behind the door
she came close to my chair wonder
ing, no doubt, who L was and what
| wanted with her.
Mrs. Melrose considerably left us
to ourselves, and my temporary serv-
ant drew a few steps nearer as soon
as the door had closer behind her.
my dear" 1 said, taking her by the
hand, there is some one here who
is very anxious to see you"
She followed the direction of my
eyes and then with a little scream
her hands went up to her breast,
And the next / knew was that they
were in each others arms.
had forgotten all about the chan
Gerry division of the high court OF
justice and its ridiculous injunction,
but it was scarcely worth remember
ing now when there was no one who
cared to enforce it. Perhaps if !
had had the use Of my limbs I might
have thought it necessary to go out
of the room or at least to turn my
back. AS it was 1 might have shut
my eyes, but this did not occur to
me. 1t was most touching and beau.
tiful to watch the innocent raptures
Of the two young lovers. There was
no time for words, and it was plain
that they had a better language than
any verbal one. A broken sentence
now and then was all they seemed to
need. The lads face was radiant
his eyes burning, his whole frame
quivering with excitement; and as
for Winnie, she seemed to be literally
in great draughts of happiness.
AS l looked | made up my mind.
"Hetherington, my boy" said I
"be good enough to retire for a few
moments to the other end of the
room or outside of the door, which.
ever you prefer. Winnie, come here
She came close up to me and
said, Give me your hand"
She put her slender little hand in
mine.
II know your story, my child,' sai6
T.. "but you do not even know my
name. As you see 1 am an old man
at least compared to you, and a Grip
pie. l have an aunt who keeps house
for me. Would you like to make
your home with me, Winnie? 1t may
not be for very long, for l can see
that the day is not far off when you
will want to fly away to a little mes,
of your own. But till that time
comes will you let me be you,
father? I know just how you are
feeling about Ned there, but yor
know marriage is a serious thing an6
there ought to be some n to see
to things for you. Will you let me
be that some one?"
Her bonny brown eyes opened
wider with surprise, and then
pleased look came into them. Final
ly she bent down, rested her arm or
my shoulder and lightly kissed me OF
the cheek.-London Sphere.