FOOTPRINTS; OR, STOLEN AWAY.

Thames Star, Volume XIV, Issue 4640, 17 November 1883, Page 1

FOOTPRINTS; OR, STOLEN AWAY.

[An Obighkal Stobt.] CHAPTEE XL— (Continued); QTTEENIE?S IKGJDISH LETTEB. The trifle was a bank order for fire hundred pounds, which the delighted child now eagerly placed in his band, exclaiming "There, dear .Ralph, somebody in England, knows,how. good you are, but nobody 'can fever pay ycu or lofe yon enough if the Lady Teresa only knew all you have done for me.", ' . • " Hush, darling, it is tco much." murmured Ealph. "Countess, what shall I say ?" : ' V '' . -■■;■ He was greatly agitated, and for some time they feared the excitement would harm him, but presently he rallied, and listened calmly to the letter the Countess had received, and also to the account of the kindly interest the Lady Teresa had always evinced towards the little Queenie. ■,■■•'Of course you roust accept it, Ealph, and perhaps.it will prove a help in the matter you were speaking of, as to what you should do," continued the Countess, with the least sparkle; of mischief in her calm grey eyes. - Ho gave her such a look of deep gratitude, that she could not reply for a moment to Queenie's question, as ".to when lialph would be able to sit for the portrait the Lady Teresa desired to have ?" and shortly after, with a fond caress, the child bade him "Goodnight," and retired with Inez to her chamber.

There was silence for a while a* Balph lay with closed eyes, and the Countess leaned her head upon her hand, as if in earnest thought. Presently she raised her eyes and caught Ealph'a look of tenderness, and rising from her chair she knelt beside his couch, saying softly, " Yes, it shall be so; he shall be to me as the son of my youth; oh, Ferdinand, dost thou know how he hath saved thy. child ?" lialph I aid his hand on that bowed head, and in a voice that trembled with emotion said tenderly, "Mother, do not grieve, let me comfort you; tell me of Ferdinand, was he your,only son?" 'Twas the first time he had called her by that endearing name, and the lady bowed her head.upon his hands, and shed a few happy tears that were yet tempered by a sorrowful memory of that son, so dearly loved and deeply mourned. Then she became calm again, and seat* ing herself beside Salph she told the story of her life, of her sorrows, her sufferings for the sin of that idolised son. With trembling lips she spoke of Inez, her devotion to herself and the little one, the child of that other still more deeplyinjured woman, who had died for sweet love's sake.

Tenderly Ralph sought to bind tip the wounds of that faithful heart, painting bright pictures of a happy future to be spent in this new land, where the past with its sins and sorrows should be buried and forgotten. . ... Inez did not return to the parlor tftat eveniDg, and bye-and-byo the Countess assisted Ralph to his chamber, and he re* tired to rest. Then she sought for Inez, and fonnd her kneeling by Queenie's little bed, weeping bitterly. " My child," said the Countess, " what is the matter, what is this m.w sorrow ? " But for all answer Inez voae and clasped

her arms, kissing her fondly on cheek and brow; -Presently she became more composed, and said very quietly, " Mamma, never mmd nw, 'twas only a passing weakness, tut somehow these days I could not help thinking of Ferdinand, and how I loved him as I lay sick at the villa." ". Good sight, darling ; God bless you," and she retired tocher own chamber, leaving the Countess alone with the darling of their hearts, the child of "that erring, but re* pen tan t son.

CHAPTEB XII. ./'': AFIEB FIVE Y3SABS. T It is summer time, and a wealth of roses elusfcer round the " Wood Nymph's , Best," while the goodly fruits of this pleasant land hang in rich abundance from the loaded branches of the"orchard trees.

Beneath a large drooping peach treethere is a rustic seat, and here two happy people are quietly resting in the pleasant shade of its leafy canopy. Can that beEalph ? that stalwart handsome fellow, who is speaking in low, ' earnest tones to his companion, who, although her face is hidden, we immediately recognise as the Lady Inez. £es, time has healed every scar, and the only traces that remain of that time of trial are the grey hairs that little Queenie offtimes tries- in vain to cover with the rich curls that still cluster in thick profusion over the manly brow. Queenie is now a lovely girl of nearly fifteen, and under the tuition of Inez, who lias long conducted a seminary tor young ladies, which has proved very successful in .this rising city. The child has expanded into a thoughtful, studious maiden, whose numerous gifts and accomplishments are only exceeded by her love and devotion to the Countess, her beloved . teacher, and almost idolised "Uncle Balph." The Countess is so happy that she often pauses in her loved employ to wonder what could possibly add to her deep, abiding sense of content in this happy home. And at such times she is apt to gaze fondly at Inez, and note the gentle grace with which she fulfils her several duties, and the light that beams from those clear, calm eyes, as she realises the peace of pure unsullied happiness that rests upon their quiet household.

Balph too has prospered, and is now a successful barrister, looking forward to higher honors in the future, when his -'talent shall have a wider scope, and his reputation shall secure for itself the respect and deference of an appreciative public. ' He has been absent for some months, and to-day he comes with rather a grave smile upon his handsome face, to ask the question that has trembled on his lips so often, the reply to which involves so much of the future's happiness. He remembers the first eager.love of his youth, and smiles at the memory of his boyish devotion to the gentle Laura, who has been so faithful a wife to his noble cousin.

But this is a deeper stronger passion, the love of a man whose heart has been tried disciplined, for a true noble woman, who has suffered, striven with, and surmounted the trials of early youth, and learned the sweet lessons of Christian charity in the pages of the human heart, amidst the records of its sins, its sorrows, and its triumphs. " Inez," he is saying tenderly, " I have just received a letter from Egbert; he tells me that he intends to relinquish his partnership and come out very soon, as the little Ethel has such tender health. . You know he has never recovered from his losses daring the 'Distress,' and I have long urged this step. Now I should like to make a home to which I could give them a brother's welcome; I have such

a one in view, dear Inez, but it will be

so lonely, in a great house by myself; and r 1 have waited patiently for the loving ' heart I hope to win. Inez,,tell me, can • yyodr will you, accept my lore, and come with me to this new home ? "

Her head was still bowed, and he eon- ' tinned: •

.-"I know your sorrows, darling, and would fain give you some of life's joys ; if the sincere love of a heart that will always.

be your own can comfort you, say but one 'little word, and make us all happy, dearest. You know how mother and "Queenie will rejoice in our happiness, and 1 shall be—oh, Inez, will you not come to me? My love, can you not speak one • little word ?"

She raised her,head, and Balph saw that her beautiful eyes were full of tears, as she answered : " Balph, I have always loved you, but I have thought it was but as a sister might love a bravo and noble brother; you know all that my heart has suffered, and how the light of love has fled from my life, but if the sincere regard and deep affection of my chastened soul will suffice you, I will be yours-. For Queenie's sake, for Mamma's sake too, I thank you for this privilege, and I will be to you a true ■ .and lor ing wife." He took her band in his, and kissed her ■' gently on her cheek and brow, and thus these two tried hearts found rest in the calm tranquil 'safety of a noble love. The joy of the Countess, and the delight pt Queenie were alike unbounded, and bye»and-by.e, when the new house was finished and fitly furnished for her " reception, Inez laid aside the grief of the past, and stood forth in the mature beauty of her noble womanhood, to give her heart and hand.to one who would never prove unworthy. It was a very quiet wedding; Qaeenie of course was chief bridesmaid, and the Countess returned to her own home, to await the return of the happy pair from their short bridal tour; and as sbe sat in her quiet parlor, in the soft twilight of that autumn day, she thought of all the past, and murmured softly to herself, " Truly sorrow may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning. Blessed be God, who has given me the desire of *"- mine heart."

A few months later, there was a happy party in the home of Ralph Egertbn and . his lorely wife, of whom the gentle Laura St. Aubyn stood slightly in awe at first, until she had learned to love her, and note the perfect happiness of her cousin's wedded life. The Countess held an honored position in her " son's" new home, and between Qaeenie and Ethel St. Atlbyn a tender girlish friendship *sprang :, ' np» which ripened with their womanhood, ' and linked the two families, with another golden chain, for as the years rolled on, Eg' bert St. Aubyn became a successful mer* chant, and ere the Countess closed her eyes upon the world whose chequered joys and sorrows bad but drawn her tried, faithful heart nearer toa better, brighter existence, she had the sincere pleasure of witnessing the marriage of " Little Qaeenie with> .. son, of the St. Aubyn family,, who bade 'fair to emulate UocJe Balpb in" Ins pio* legion, and to prove a worthy follower in

the "footprints" of that esteemed relative. " Inez," said Balph one evening, shortly after the death of the Countess, as they stood together on the balcony of their beautiful home, looking down upon the prospect before them, " did you ever hear anything further of poor Madame Eonault?" " Yes, dear," replied his wife, " I heard from the Lady Teresa that Madame resumed all her former interest in the profession, and made it her special business to seek out any among tlie crowds of children that are employed at Christmas time, who were in need of such assistance as she could give ; and later, I heard that she was dead, and had left her property in trust of certain benevolently-disposed persons for the benefit of any friendless, homeless, little waifs who should come under their notice. Ido not think she ever forgot the little 'Wood Nymph Queen,'indeed, Lady Teresa wrote that ' she had expressed her sincere, heartfelt pleasure when she heard that the child had escaped the sad fate of her fellow passengers, and was restored to home and friends in health arid safety.'" " What a noble woman," exclaimed Balph, " to devote her means to such a good cause. She, tod, has left her ' footprints ' behind her, and many a little waif will live to bless her memory. • " Come darling," he added tenderly, " let us go iv ; and may it be-given us to help and comfort, to cherish and bless all whom Providence shall place in our pathway, so that we, too. may leave a record behind us, that shall be as "Footprints on the Sands of Time." [the end.]