Squatter sovereign., 1857-11-14

was mystery she nezef divuIged even
to Violet, who was employed the mean
while contentedly with her needle. and IN
perusing the very few books which the old
woman had managed g procure. Day
after day, as she threw her bag over her
shoulders TO depart Nelly would epjoin
upon Violet never 10 Be seen at the win-
dows above, and on no account to open
the gate, no matter how hard it was as
sailed. and without murnlur Violet had
strictly obeyed. But one day, and bright
sunny one it was too. when she could
hear the birds singing. ind the insects
chirping amid the grass Toilet, perhaps
for the first time. pinned 10 be loose from
that dismal old buiIding- She tried TO
sew, but the needle slipped away from
herheedless. She opened her books--
How tedious. She had reaa all thou
sand times. She then into he yard.
where Nelly with her own hands had ar
FaLgod little garden for her darling. but
the flowers looked sickly and hung their
heads, no more conlented with their posi-
tion than Violet. All at once she found
herself close 10 the prescribed gate. All.
take care Violet But what harm could
there be in just unbolt'ng it for mo-
menil What harm in just looking into
the street! She knew there could be
none, and she timidly drew the bolt. The
gate yielded to her touch, and, half afrai l.,
she stood within the dingy portal. 1t hap
pened unfortunately just at that moment,
party OF gay young men were passing.
Struck by her uncommon loneliness they
stopped and gazed rudely upon her. Vio-
let attempted to retreat. but one of them
with consumate audacity, seized her by
the arm and addressed her with the most
insoient language In vain she s;rug-
gled TO free herself. He swore he would
have kiss. and most probably would have
succeeded in his brave attempt, had not a
smart blow across the eyes with rattan,
nearly blinded him, and obliged him to
release the frightened girl. His comrades
had stood by laughing at the distress OF
Violet. and encouraging their companion
to persist, but there was another spccta-
tor of the scene youth. apparently not
more than seventeen. who enraged at .heir
brutality, dealt the blow, and then quick
Iy drawing Violet within the gate, bolted
it. Now gracefully lifting his hat. he bid
her be under no uneasiness, for he would
protect her from all insult. In the mean
while, smarting with rage and pain. the
party on the outside with furious knocks
and gross language. demanded admittance
and at one time it seemed as if the old
gate must inevitably yield to their violence;
but, tired at length of their fruitless ef-
forts, they dessted, and with oaths of re-
vepge, took their departure across the
COLLECT" The brave lad would have
Violet begged of him to be gone, while
in her own artless manner she thanked
him again for the services he had rendered
her.. Reluctantly. therefore he took his
leave to Violet, it was as if the sun had
suddenly disappeared from the heavens
AS soon as Nelly came in she candldly
related all that had occurred, 10 which the
former listened with much agitation, ma
king no reproaches. but for more than an
hour remained in deep thought. evidently
distressed at such an unlocked for circum-
stance. Suddenly lifting her head she
ex claimed
:. Hielct, you must ledue me
What, leave you-do you bid me
leave you All, forgive your disobedient
child. Never, never will again offend
vou!" cried Violet.
II am not offended, for you have but
committed an act for which my own fool.
sh conduct must answer. should have
known better than to have Gagged you so
long, poor child. bu! my motives were
good. Now we must part-perhaps new
er to meet again, for, when you leave these
walls behind you, the poor Rag gatherer
must no longer be remembered.
Violet burst into tears, and sobbed as if
her heart would break.
"Send me away. and tell me I must
forget you too! Oh, cannot-I cannot!"
Even Nelly herself shed tears. but her
resolution was unshaken.
g Listen to me, Violet, said she. s.
know lady who is not only rich. but, what
is far better, has the credit o. being char
liable. Indeed, more than once have
experienced her kindness. To her will
now 90. will relate your little history.
I will tell her that though butihe adopted
child of poor. lone woman, like myself.
yet you are good and amiabie. and your
mind pure as falling snow. / think she
will at once receive you under her roof.
and for the rest l fear not You would
steal into her heart were it MARBLE
s But shall never hear from you-nev-
er. never see you againa Oh, ! had
much rather stay with you.
:. You may see me again, and you may
not. bit on pain of my certain dispieasure,
never. TO human being speak of or res
late your past hfe--you must forget it en-
tirely. Remember this. and promise me
you will not again disobey my commands .
Violet gave the repaired promise, and
the old woman continued.
:. You have never been called by any
other name than Violet-you mus: now
have one. A precious and darling child
have you been to my old heart. and in re-
membranoe, yon shall be called Vioiel
Darling"
The next morning Nelly came in bear
ing bundle, which she handed to Violet