Year: 1874

ined for the sake of my child, as now
fondly called Alison, to spend winter in
the city, to give her the advantages of
masters in languages. in music and dane
ing, and also to let her see something of
society.


wrote to my lawyer and agent, and
my own house was refurnished and put in
order for my arrival. In my many years
OF secusion, my property had increased in
value, and | was very wealthy. As soon
as arrived. old friends who had been my
companions in young life, fiocked around
me, matrons with families, fathers and
husbands, who had been beardless bows
when left them. So my Alison had soon
a circle of friends OF her own age. and
smiled to see how the shy little country
maiden developed into the city belle. For
her beauty, her great talents and accom-
plishments soon gave her prominent po-
sition amongst her companions, and She
was feted and courted to my hearts con-
tent.


Ever gentle and sweet, keeping some-
thing always of the shy grace of her child
hood, she was yet self-possessed and re-
fined in society, seeking rather to remain
unnoticed than to be conspicuous. There
were soon admirers clustering around the
lovely girl, some won no doubt by the
supposition that would make my adopt
ed child my heress, but others attracted
by the lovelness of Allison herself


Soon knew that the young, pure heart
was opening and expanding to new influ-
ences. Soon l learned that one voice
could call faint bushes to my darling's
fair. round cheek. Soon l saw her eye
brighten for one face, and knew that
Fred Morgan was winning Alison's heart.


1t may readily be imagined that looked
anxiously upon the little love drama being
enacted under my eyes. but even my love
could find no reason to be dissatisfied.


Fred Morgan was a nephew of one of
the merchants in New York, and Junior
partner in the firm. His father, mother
and uncle were all friends of my own in
the past, and the young man himself had
been sturdy boy l remembered well,
before my own life's tragedy fell upon
me. He was now man OF twenty-five,
standing well in business circles, and con-
sldered in our social set as man of high
moral character, and true Christian gen.
tleman. My Alison had won him more
by the pure gentle sweetness that was the
peculiar charm of her fresh, young beau
ty, than by her other winsome at tributes,





and more frequently our guest, he was
dazzled by her wonderful music, her con-
versation always so hard to draw out, and
her mental power, that always surprised
those who judged her by her shy retiring
manner. sssSDa


Evening after evening we met Fred Nor.
gan, now at opera or concert, now at social
gatherings, and still oftener at our own
home, where he scarcely ever failed to
know if we were alone and disengaged.
And while Alson's shy timidity Welded
to her love, and she allowed her lover to
see how rare jewell he was winning, /
was learning to respect the sterling worth
of the young merchant. to honor him for
nobility of heart and purpose rarely seen
in these days of fast youth. ba4asa t1.
| The April leaves were budding, when
Fred told me his love story, and asked nv
consent to seek Alison for his wife. 1
gladly assented, but stipulated for long
engagement. because my child was yet too
young. 1t seemed to me it was wrong to
burden her yet with cares of wifehood,
and Fred rather reluctantly yielded to my
arguments.


The engagement was yet young, when
Fred came to tell us of an opening his
uncle had given him, that promised him
wealth in the future, to prepare home
for his young bride. Morgan & Co., had
branch house in Chicago, that was doing
a tlourishing business, and the head of the
establishment had died suddenly. Mr..
Morgan offered the vacant position to
Fred. with liberal arrangement regard
ing the profits of the branch house.
1t was hard to leave Alison, but gave
reluctant promise to the wedding the
following spring, and there was the COM
fort OF post Office always to be consid-
cred. 1t was comfort, too, during the
summer months at Farmdale, when letters
were frequently exchanged.


In September we returned to New York,
and still the correspondence was kept up
regularly. Alison often bringing me her
precious letters. and growing brighter and
sweeter every day in her happiness.


The blow to all our happy hopes fell on
that dreadful day that the telegraphic
wires flashed the tidings of the confiagra-
ton that was fast reducing Chicago to
ashes. Hours stretched into days, into
weeks, and there was no ray of light from
Fred for good or i'll. Mr.. Morgan went
to Chicago, and after two weeks of sick.
ening suspense returned to crush our last
hope. His enquiries proved that Fred had
gone into the burning store, to try and
save some papers, just before the roof
fell in. In the confusion, the suffering,
the awful calamity all around him,
the father could learn no more, and we
made mourning garments. and numbered
the noble hearted young man with the
dead


Allison suffered as only gentle retiring
natures can suffer, striving for resigna-
ton, patient and prayerful, and broken
hearted. She grew so wan, so pale, so
shadowy in her fral beauty. that l be-
came alarmed for her life, and by the ad-
vice of our physician | took her to Eu.
rope. Here for a year we travelled from
country to country, and health came again
to my darling, but never brightness to her
smile. For my sake she bore her sorrow
silently, striving to make me happy by
every loving device. but knew her heart
was heavy, mourning for the lost love of
her youth. So when she pleaded for the
quiet of Farmdale and rest. granted her
request, and we crossed the ocean once