A week later Zula stood in the presence of Mr. and Mrs. Platts. They could scarcely believe the story which Zula told them, and only on condition that she remained as their daughter, would they forgive her for remaining away so long, and Zula promised, for a time, to remain. A portion of her property, which Irene’s pretended father had claimed, was given her uncle. Mapleton, in company with Meg and Crisp, left the States, and never returned.
Le Moyne, becoming tired of bachelor life, married Eunice Graves, and Ross, it is said, has formed the acquaintance of Carrie Horton, and thinks she comes very near being an angel.
An evening in winter. It is cold and stormy without, but bright and warm is the home that I shall ask you to enter with me, and look for a moment on the scene.
A man and woman are sitting by the glowing grate, watching the sport of a beautiful boy of three years of age. He has his mother’s dreamy eyes, and his father’s curling locks.
“Paul, my darling, come here,” Scott Wilmer says.
The boy climbs upon his father’s knee and, laying his bright head on Scott’s breast, says:
“Papa, I wish I was a man like you,” and as the dark lashes droop over the beautiful eyes, Zula whispers:
“God keep you, my darling boy, and when you are a man may you be like him.”