20 THE ACORN. and I both lived in the town of Richmond. It's a long way from here, yes, a long way, so far that you would not go unless, as you say, there was something in it. She, the one I loved, chose another companion. So, then I made my way here, because that place seemed dead to me after she had gone. Where she went, I do not know. "You know old lady Brown, she is her aunt. As luck would have it, she came here the year after I did. We often talk about June, but neither of us know anything about where she is." "I heard Pa say the other day," said Harry, "that Mrs. Brown said she had heard from some long lost relations and that they were on their way here." "How strange! But it could not be the, because she has not even mentioned it to me. Boys you talk of beauty, but there never was another maiden half so sweet as she- What?" he paused "Did I not hear some strange noise outside?" "No, it was just the wind; go on with your story." "Listen! There it is again. It sounds like a child crying, I must go out and see." He rushed into the dark and picked up a child. She had wandered from home in search of her papa. At first the child offered some resistance but he told her gently that he would find papa and assured her that he would not hurt her. "Oh," said he in a whisper, after he had taken her into the house, "Oh, if she isn't the image of the one I loved. Her hair is exactly like that which I have in my locket and those eyes are just like June's." "My mama's name is June," said the little one who was now looking into his eyes. "Is it?" asked Mr, Cole, "and where is your mama now?" "She's gone 'way off," continued the child, "and to- THE ACORN. 21 day papa went to find her and I wanted to find him, and found you. My papa was a good man; are you a good man?" she said, looking into his eyes. "Well, I hope so," he continued. "Who could help being good to such as you? Come now, lie on my arm and go to sleep for I know your little feet are tired." In a few moments the golden curls were peacefully resting upon his shoulder. The child was fast asleep. After he had laid the little form upon the couch, he stood looking into the peaceful face that had aroused in his mind such a flow of memories. "How beautiful," he said half in whisper. "Did I ever before see such a picture as this? Yes, just one other." When he had assured himself that the little one was quite comfortable, he stepped softly into the next room, where the boys were still assembled. "Well," he said, "I feel somewhat better now, but its not the story's that brought the change. I know my happiness would continue, if God would only save me this jewel." The boys looked perplexed. "O, you do not understand, I mean this child. She is another June." For two long years the people of the little village looked for the father's return. The aunt tried to get the child, Elaine, from Mr. Cole but Elaine refused to go with her and said that Mr. Cole was her other papa. One night when Mr. Cole opened the village paper, the bold letters "Sad Accident Last Night" seemed to pierce him to the heart. It told how a mother and a father, after three long years of separation had united and assured each other of their true love. They were on their way home, when a terriffic storm arose, their boat was overturned and the two were drowned. His eyes seemed fixed upon the page. "Oh," he said, "The only woman whom I loved, and this is her child. Who has more right to her than I? Her father, I