The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1857-04-02

liked to meet her pleasant face; it seemed to
take the chill off the passages and rooms, and
brighten the most knetty problems; and, as
always gave to Miss Thatcher, under whose
care l ranked during reviews, the most literal
answers, she thought me quite sensible per.
son.
Our Principal, after coming upon me sud
denly during my sweeping, dusting, and bed.
making labors, for the first few weeks, was ap-
parently satisfied that my work was thoroughly
done, and left me to myself; though / never
felt sure that her eye was not on me, save when
IN Miss MichaPs room. She stepped in there
every morning, with the same bland compli-
ments of the day, inquired if "her coffee was
agreeable, her toast not overdone," &C., and
thes went below, to watch the operations of
her school, and oil with smooth word, or cut
with keen, decided one any hitch or difficult
ties that might occur. No one trihed under
our Principals eye. Sba deferred to no one
but MIR. Cavendish but his slightest sugges.
ton was listened to With respect, and usually
adopted. 1t was gossipped among the girls
that that gentleman woRld yet become "our
Principal" as the husba,,d of Mrs. Ellis; but
the idea always seemed 70 me so absurd, that
l never entertained it a second
| As the summer days heightened, Miss Mi
chal was able to 60 dowt stairs, with my help,
and as far as the bottom of the garden, where
there was an old.fashiol ed arbor, overrun by
grapevine. Here, whf my books and les
sons were perfected, l vas permitted to read
to- her; and our readilg was as varied as
our moods. Science, biography, history, and
poetry, each had Their ttrn, and l revelled in
new enjoyment-thst of sharing my pleasure
with one whose rich and varied knowledge e
gave new charm to every subject it touched.
One day, after schoo Bours, she sent me to
the recitation room, for small manuscript
book, which she said would find in an un-
used desk behind the door leading to the mu-
sic room that desk had formerly been hers.
She gave key, and l ran to execute my com.
mission. There was, az thought no one in
the school room the lock yielded to my pres
sure, and | was busy laying aside paper after
paper, IN search of the manuscript brochure,
when my eye lighted on pencil sketch, and,
with low, irrepressible exclamation of sur
prise, seized it, and held it in a fairer light.
1t was sketch of the Cedar Pond mere
outline, faulty enough IN some respects, as
memory told me, but still sufficiently accurate
for me to identify each locality. There was
sally Hunts house and barn, with the loose
boards hanging by one eta on the east end, and
the old barn.yard gate, With stick set against
II, to keep 1t fast. mig at have handled that
the trees, the PERCEPTION bluffs, rocky shelves
and rough seams, fan,ilii r as life. That small
hgure by the meadow b.,rs, might it not have
been intended for Ollie, Waiting for me? And
tears began unconscioussy to mingle with the
smiles with which had Recognised each object.
1t is wonderful; and the faces so unlike "
l had not heard the st,p, but there was no
mistaking that tone-ils .peculas sadness had
noted ever before, ard 1 turned to meet the
sharp, eager questioniag, yet perplexed gaze
of Professor Cavendisa - look that would
wrench from the heart lts deepest secrets. For
one second, l covered sefore it then, raising
my eyes, / looked full ia bis face
There-that motioy,s he muttered, without
yah4raxiag his ewes, Us l raised my head to
life Who are you, GID
His tall form was beat forward in eager ex
pectation--the tone 5wpetuous, hoarse from
suppressed feeling-but did not so understand
it then, and resolutely shut my heart against
it, saying, a little malieiously, "La Zingorella,
SIR"
He lifted his long fin ger impatiently, with
"Girl, I am not trifins! Who are you ~"
I" "Zerlina Lathrop!"
A black shade of disappointment darkened
his brow, and he answered impatienty, con-
temptuously, it seemed to me
"Yes, yes know 81 that-Zerlina Lathrop,
adopted daughter of MIS-. Lathrop Tyler, of
Chesterwood, pupil at s0akawn, &C."
"Add, pupil by the ,harity of Mrs. Ellis, and
pauper by birth, and ,ae history will be COM
plete | said, quickiN, stung by his tone.
He looked surprisee a second, then stretched
out his hand, saying, "a that gentle tone never
heard him use befor, save when addressing
Miss Michal-
did not mean tts wound you, God knows,
Zingorella Will yot be friends?"
touched his hand, and be turned abruptly
away. When / fou,!d the manuscript, and
went to join Miss Mithsl, she was coming up
the walk, talking to Professor Cavendish. She
took the roll, saying taat it was too late for
her to be out, and we would finish our reading
within" The gentlesnaa did not notice me at
all l doubt if he was aware of my presence,
go wrapt did he seem in some gloomy train of
thought; but, lingering in the porch, | heard
him say to Miss AichaI, az he turned to leave
her" They speak pore discouragingly than
ever, Michal-in fact. DIR. B. thinks her physi-
cal health giving waX,"
A pressure Of the g, unit hand, and low God
bless you-it is terrific =" was her only reply,
as he left her, and vi 1t, with long strides, to-
ward the woods,