length made the rough and rugged way seem almost pleasant in its loneliness. A year passed, and Aunt Prue, unable to bear up longer under her infirmities, was confined to her bed. Kitty, patient and watchful, strove to alleviate the acute suffering, and render the life of pain more endurable. Her loving, Christian spirit made itself felt as never before, and her aunt at last realized the true beauty of her character. While Kitty felt God had answered her prayers, and made her the humble instrument in His hand of leading the wanderer home. "Yes indeed. But let us read these letters, perhaps they may tell us something about him." "Why, Maude, here is a certificate of Aunt Prue's marriage with William Lester, Gentleman of Devonshire England. That must be his picture. I wonder if papa and mamma knew it. This letter stained with tears is from him, listen while I read it. LONDON, April 17th. 18Darling Prue, my own precivus wife : "You little thought, when you laid your tiny hand in mine, and promised to love me through One morning after a paroxysm of unusual evil and good report, that your affection would severity, Miss Percy sent Kitty for her parents, be put to such a fearful test. That he who and Judge Rosevelt. On their arrival, they solemnly pledged himself at the altar to cherish. were at once summoned to the sick room, leaving and protect you ever, would, before a twelveKitty to prepare some little delicacy to tempt month, occupy a felon's cell. Yet thus it is. the capricious appetite of the invalid. The How can I write of the terrible agony I have lawyer's business was soon completed, and Kitty endured since we parted, or tell you of the fierce restored to her place as nurse. Mrs. Williams struggle I have had to say, 'Thy will be done; remained during the day, and just as the sun but that has passed, dearest, and I truly feel was sinking behind the distant hills, Aunt Prue though He slay me, yet will I trust in Him." passed from earth to heaven. Few mourned When I left you that sunny morning, how her loss; but Kitty's grief was sincere, she long ago it seems, to answer a sudden summons missed the constant care, and for a time was to London, my heart even then thrilled with very lonely. joyful anticipations of my speedy return, and on By her aunt's will, the cottage with its anti-presenting myself at Lord D-'s I could scarcely quated furniture was Kitty's. She could not wait his appearance so impatient was I to be bear to have strangers enter it, and I alone, of all her youthful friends was admitted within its precincts. One afternoon she invited me to assist in giving its contents an old-fashioned airing her mother having assured her there was danger of every thing being destroyed by moths and the dampness that would settle around the walls of closed houses. We had always refrained from gratifying our curiosity in regard to Aunt Prue's treasures, but now with girlish enthusiasm we commenced our pleasing task. again at your side. Judge then my astonishment when I learned his lordship's name had been forged for a large amount, and they had traced the crime to me. I indignantly denied the charge, but every thing was so much against me, that even my kind patron was convinced of my guilt, and offered to withdraw the prosecution if I would confess. This of course I could not do. I believed the truth would be made plain, and I restored to your arms. Alas! how was I deceived. The circumstantial evidence was too strong, and 1 am sentenced to transportation for life. I did not write you before dearest, this you should hear first from me, and oh! my darling, never, never, never think even for a moment that I could be guilty of such an offence." Chests and closets were thrown open. Silks, satins and rich brocades were drawn from the for I hoped to be the bearer of better news, but hiding-place of years; some with the freshness all worn off by the lapse of time, others bright as new. Old laces of almost fabulous value and precious stones with settings of rare and antique workmanship. Kitty possessed a fortune in the contents of one old oaken chest. As we were carefully replacing them, her hand inadvertently touched a secret spring, when a drawer flew open disclosing two miniatures and a number of sealed papers. 66 How I have prayed to see your sweet face once more, though I knew it was impossible: your health is too delicate to attempt the journey, even should this reach you before we sail. But I would have you trust me always, dear one, and remember, God will in His own good time, clear the innocent and punish the guilty. "Can this be Aunt Prue," cried Kitty, "Isn't she pretty? But who is this gentleman? What "Let our little one, if it lives, be brought up a noble face, and such splendid black eyes. No in the fear of the Lord, and taught to honor its one need fear to trust him, I am sure. I have father's name. Kiss it often for me; it will be a always thought somebody auntie loved very connecting link between our hearts, and bind much deceived her, and that made her so strange and suspicious. He looks too good to be dishonorable, don't he, Maude?" them still closer together. Perchance, I may yet return to you, God only knows. We leave on Monday, in the ship Argossa. I will write you when we reach our destination, and I need not tell you the joy it will be to hear from you occasionally. "My heart seems well nigh breaking, and I can only pray, God bless my precious wife, and give us patience to the end. It is only a little while,' dearest, and we shall rest forever in the city of our God;' until then let us wait, trusting that He will make all things work together for good to those who love Him. Farewell, my own darling. Yours till death. Kitty, her eldest daughter, is a perfect treasure, with the sweetest, sunniest face in the world. When she is old enough I shall have her stay with me always. What would I not give to fold her in my arms, and win her childish heart. How the mother love cries out within me. If Willie had only lived, how different my life would be." "Years have fled since I penned the above, and Kitty has passed from winsome childhood to girlhood, and now on the threshhold of womanhood has come to cheer my solitude. Left a beautiful home with all its tender associations, to be scolded and fretted at by a cross old woman. If she could only read my heart, and see how I long to make her the recipient of "WILLIAM LESTER." We were both weeping as Kitty finished reading. "Poor Aunt Prue," she said, "how she must have suffered. I am so glad I could do something to make her happier. I wish I knew if he ever came back. Please pass me its pent-up affections, but dare not lest some that paper, Maude, it is in Auntie's handwriting, and may tell us." evil befall her. If I might only tell her this sternness is all assumed to conceal the love that "Aug. 25th. I have just risen from a sick bed; else would rush forth in a mighty torrent and would it had been one of death. What have I bear her to death for sure am I if I for one to live for? My little babe, my angel Willie instant relax my vigilance, and let her guess her was taken from me, almost before his beautiful power, the grave will snatch her from me foreyes opened upon this world of sin and sorrow. ever. Sweet Kitty, she will know it all someI am all alone. What have I done to suffer time, and if I so weak and sinful ever reach the thus? Why has my life been written desolate? heavenly mansions, it will be her gentle influ"When I received William's letter I sank ence that led me to look beyond the darksome lifeless on the floor. How long I remained river for the bliss denied me here." there I know not, my maid found me, and I was "Dear auntie, how glad I am she is happy now. It must have been terrible to feel as she did, all those weary years," and Kitty sobbing bitterly, carefully replaced the little mementoes one by one. "What a comforting assurance, darling," said lifted to my couch. Days, weeks, and months, I through my tears; "surely you have your I lay prostrate and helpless, when every moment reward." was precious, and should have been employed in seeking proofs of my husband's innocence. Now, when that wretched Deveraux has confessed his guilt, comes the tidings that my idol is dead. That he crossed the sea to meet the pestilence, and sleeps far away in the jungles of India, where I can never weep above his grave, or raise a stone to his memory. How could they be so cruel? They should have known, that he, so good and true, could never have yielded to the tempter. I shall go wild if I stay here, my brain seems burning. "Friends I have none. My father turned me from his door, because I had disgraced the name of Percy by marrying an artist,' and shall I seek a home with him now? Never! rather would I starve. I have sufficient to support me comfortably with my neice in America. None will know my sad secret there, and locking it closely in my breast, I will shut my heart to every tender emotion, lest it seek some object on which to lavish its affection, and so bring sorrow where I would gladly bless. A blight attends my love, and I must assume a stern uncompromising exterior, though my heart break in its agony. God pity me!" Just as we were ready to leave, an old gentleman, who had passed in front of the house many times during the last half hour, softly opened the gate and slowly advancing up the path paused at the door. "Who can be be?" cried I. "Some stranger attracted by the pleasant shade perhaps," rejoined Kitty. "He is ringing the bell, please answer it, Maude." I courteously invited him to enter, and as I did so he inquired if I were Kitty Williams. "Oh no, I am only Maude Murray, her friend." "Can you tell me where to find her?" Kitty appeared at this moment and I retired. "You do not know me, my child; but your Aunt may have mentioned the name of William Lester in your presence; it is a name she was once very fond of." He sighed heavily as he waited a reply. "No sir, I never heard of him before to-day. "Oct. 30th. I am in America, and have Then from some private papers of auntie's I bought a quiet little home, which 1 call Clover learned he was her husband. We always supNook; it is near my neice, Mrs. Williams.posed her unmarried." 'May I see those papers, Kitty?" he asked. the elegant mansion just completed should be "I am William Lester." Kitty's home. "How can that be?" replied Kitty; "he died of cholera in India long ago." "That was a cousin bearing the same name." "Then why did you never let Aunt Prue know you were alive?" and Kitty's eyes, still sparkling with tears, looked the indignation she felt. "It was cruel to let her endure such agony for years, when you might have returned sooner." The legacy left. Aunt Prue by her father was without difficulty claimed for Kitty, and she soon found herself in possession of about one hundred and fifty thousand dollars. "I have been thinking what I shall do with my trust," she said to me one day. "We are accountable to God for all His gifts, and I tremble at the responsibility. I am not satisfied to sit quietly down, and give a few hundred here and there, to some charitable object. I must work in the vineyard myself." "I could not go to her until my name was cleared from the stain resting upon it, and though I wrote many times to Devonshire, I "I am glad you feel so, dear," I replied, "I could hear nothing of my lost darling. I was look with astonishment at Christians spending friendless, penniless and alone, and it was years thousands on their own selfish gratification, forafter my banishment before I knew how fully getting that their Divine Master 'had not where my innocence was established. Then I made to lay His head.' I sometimes fear their coninstant preparation to visit England, and have demnation will be great. I never expect to be been seeking Prudence ever since. In Lincoln- tried in that way, but I often wonder if, placed shire, the home of the Percy's, I found her in their circumstances, I should fall into the father had been dead some ten years. At last, same temptation. I hardly think it possible, repenting the injustice done his once favorite yet we know not our hearts; so I pray with. daughter, he had left her, or her heirs, a large Augur, 'Give me neither poverty or riches; feed sum of money. The principal and interest of me with food convenient for me.' I have a which, now amounting to nearly sixty thousand project running through my brain, that I am pounds, is waiting a claimant. very anxious to have perfected. It will require "Her friends told me she had removed to a small fortune, and unless you come to the America, but so carefully had she concealed her rescue, I shall be obliged to relinquish it" retreat, that none of them knew where she had "What is it, Maude? I am all impatience." found a home. With no other guide I have "That remarkable valentine Dora received visited nearly every State in the Union, and it last February led us to turn over a new leaf,' was only by accident that I at last traced my as Fannie says, and for sometime, under Dr. precious wife to this place. You will not fear Romaine's guidance, we have been almoners to trust me now, will you, young lady," he among his poor patients. Last week we visited added, with a sad, sweet smile. a beautiful girl who has been very ill for many weeks; she is now out of danger, and it was pitiful to hear her lamentations over a worse than wasted life. Her aspirations for one of purity and peace, made us long to lift her from her degradation, and receive her as an erring sister." "Oh, no! You have far the best right. But you will come with me to see papa and mamma, won't you?" "Presently, perhaps. With your permission I shall remain here, over the Sabbath. Now I would be alone." "How strange it is," said Kitty, as I kissed her at my door, "I wonder if dear auntie has found baby Willie in heaven, and knows her husband is here." "I hope so, darling; yes I am sure of it. Good bye!" At "Yes, she was the daughter of a wealthy New York merchant. An only child. Her education was completed under the best masters. Every luxury was lavished upon her. eighteen, she entered society, and for two years Late the following afternoon, Mr. Lester was a reigning belle. Visiting an aunt in one accepted Kitty's invitation to visit her parents. of the western states, she made the acquaintance His face bore marks of the deepest emotion, of a young Englishman. Highly educated, inand his reception of Kitty was almost fatherly telligent, and refined, he won her heart. She in its tenderness. consented to a private marriage, on his repre "You must lend this sweet child to me, senting, that as the eldest son of a noble family Mrs. Williams, even as you ent her to my wife. I have no one in the world to love me now, and my life is very desolate. You will not refuse," he continued, "I need her so much." So it was arranged that he should purchase a magnificent place, adjoining Clover Nook, and his parents would disinherit him, should he marry contrary to their wishes. His father, a man of stern, unbending will, was an invalid, and the physicians had warned them that any undue excitement would prove fatal. He had already expressed a desire to have his son form Clover Nook still remains as Aunt Prue left it, and Mr. Lester passes most of his leisure hours in its quiet shades. "The Little Church Round the Corner." BY A. E. LANCASTER. "Mr. Joseph Jefferson, who made the application to the clergyman to officiate, said that he regretted the publicity that had been given to the affair, both for the sake of reli. gion and in view of the feelings of the bereaved family. It appears that the clergyman first consented to allow the funeral to take place from his church, but when he learned that Mr. Holland had been an actor, he withdrew his consent. He added that there was a little church around the and where he advised Mr. Jefferson to make application, corner from his, where funerals of actors had taken place, an alliance with the daughter of an Earl, whose consult him immediately, and you shall have estate adjoined theirs; opposition might result the result of our conference to-morrow." in serious consequences, they could easily keep Mr. Lester was delighted with our plan, and their secret during the old gentleman's life, and with his assistance it is rapidly reaching perafter that all would be well." She trusted him, fection. Blessings attend Kitty's every effort and instead of returning to her parents, met her for usefulness, and secure in the affection of all husband here. He rented that lovely vine-clad who know her, her sunny life passes without a cottage on Fort Street we have so often admired, cloud. She will never marry. Hearts, good and a year of uninterrupted happiness ensued. and true, are laid willing offerings at her feet; A little babe blessed their union, and she felt she kindly, yet firmly, rejects them all, content earth had nothing more to give. Time passed, to walk alone the pleasant path allotted her. and a letter arrived from England, saying the father was lying at the point of death, and if the son would receive his blessing, he must return immediately. Preparations were hastily made for his departure; the farewell words were spoken, and the wife was alone with her child. Days lengthened into weeks, and weeks into months, bringing no tidings from the absent loved one. Her funds were exhausted, yet she still hoped on, striving to eke out a scanty subsistence, and retain the home in which he had placed her. Piece by piece the furniture disappeared. Articles of clothing and jewelry followed, until she was left destitue. Leties to her parents were returned unopened, and with famine staring her in the face, what could she do? Friendless and unknown it was impossible to obtain employment suited to one so delicately and Mr. Jefferson left with the characteristic and almost nurtured. Her little one was starving, could poetical remark: All honor to that little church around the she see it die? No, and in that evil hour the tempter came. Vain were her efforts to retrace her steps. Spurned by those who should have covered her sin with the mantle of christian charity, she sank lower in the scale of humanity, until scarcely a vestige of her former self remained. Dr. Romaine found her watching by the dying bed of her child, and when the little hands were folded, and the eyes forever closed, the mother sank senseless by its side, stricken with the fever that had just released its spotless spirit, He sent a nurse, and with almost a brother's solicitude tended her during her illness; pointing her, in her rational moments, to Him who taketh away the sin of the world.' Now she is recovering; but she needs help to sustain her in her good resolutions; she must be cared for. Many other unfortunates would, I believe, gladly leave the paths of sin, could they find a refuge where scorn and reproach could not reach them. You have the means to establish a Home for these, dear Kitty. Will you accept the mission? Can you endure the scoffs and ridicule of your friends? If you can, then this is the work God has given you to accomplish, and He will bless. your efforts." "Thank you, Maude, for the story and suggestion. I am almost sure Uncle Lester will approve, and 'Our Home' may be the means of reclaiming many who else might perish. I must corner.' "Bring him not here, where our sainted feet Go take him where such things' are done, So spake the holy man of God Of another man, his brother, Ere his flesh went down to join the dead, And they looked for Christ and found Him-Where? Ah! well, God grant when, with aching feet, ('Mid many a musing mourner) While the sermon is preached, and the rites are read, But in some small nook where God's confessed- -Enquirer. |