Page:Unfading flowers.pdf/11

11 The offered seat was accepted; and as the old man sunk, into it, his countenance and manner betrayed his emotion.

"I have come," said he, and his voice was unsteady, "to do what I could not do for myself alone, But I cannot see my poor sick grandchild wear out and die under the weight of burdens that are too heavy to be borne. For her sake I have conquered my own pride."

There was a pause.

"Go on," said T-, who was looking at the old man earnestly, and endeavouring to fix his identity in his mind.

"You don't know me?"

"Your face is not entirely strange," said T. It must have been a long time since we met."

"Long? Oh yes?  It is a long, long tims.  You were a boy, and I unbent by age."

"Markland!" exclaimed T, with sudden energy, springing to his feet as the truth flashed upon him. "Say—is it so."

"My name is Markland."

"And do we meet again thus," said T, with emotion, as he grasped the old man’s hand. "Ah, sir, I have never forgotten you. When a sad-hearted boy, you spoke to me kindly, and the words comforted me when I had no other comfort. The bunch of flowers you gave me, you remember it, no doubt—are still fresh in my heart.  Not a leaf has faded.  They are as bright and green, and full of perfume, as when I laid them there; and there they will bloom for ever—the unfading flowers of gratitude.  I am glad you have come, though grieved that your declining years are made heavier by misfortune.  Heaven has smiled on my efforts in the world, I have enough, and to spare."

"I have not come for charity," returned Markland. "I have hands, and they would not be idle, though it is not much that they can accomplish."

"Be not troubled on that account, myfriend," was