Night had settled around the old red house among the
mountains, where Alice was listening eagerly, while Aunt
Polly recounted the incidents we have already related.
Suddenly a shadow darkened the casement, through which
the moon was pouring a flood of silvery light. A heavy
footfall echoed on the little piazza, and in a moment Ira
Herndon stood within the room, transfixed with surprise
at the beautiful vision which Aunt Polly presented to him,
saying, “This is Alice, your daughter. I have loved her
as my own; but take her,—she is yours.”

Something of Alice's old timidity returned, and she
was half inclined to spring through the open door, but
when she ventured at length to lift her eyes to the face
of the tall, fine looking man before her, a thrill of joy
and pride ran through her heart, and twining her soft,
white arms around the stranger's neck, she murmured,

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“Am I, indeed, your daughter,—and may I call you
father?”

“God bless you, Alice, my child, my daughter,” was
the answer, as Ira folded his newly found treasure to his
bosom. At that moment Uncle Amos entered, and saw
at a glance how matters stood. Tear after tear rolled
down his sun-burnt cheek, as taking the hard hand of his
faithful old wife, he said, “Yes, Polly, she will love him
and go with him, and we shall be left alone in our old
age.”

Alice released herself from her father's embrace, and
going up to the weeping old man, fondly caressed him,
saying, “I will always love you, and call you father, too,
for a kind, devoted parent you have been to me for fifteen
years, when I knew no other.”

“Nor need you ever be separated,” said Mr. Herndon,
“if you will go with Alice. I have wealth enough for us
all, and will gladly share it with you.”

To this generous offer Mr. and Mrs. Carey made no reply,
and Ira continued: “I have to-day told my father
all, and I regret I did not do so years ago.”

“What did he say?” asked Aunt Polly, quickly.

“He said not a word, save that he wished he had
known it before,” answered Mr. Herndon. “He seems
quite ill, and I am fearful his days are numbered.”

At a late hour that night Mr. Herndon took leave of
his daughter, promising to introduce her to her grandfather
as soon as possible.

p598-269

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