The Emporia news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1859-1881, 1859-12-17

one mlgn1 De Hsgntys nervous, lH-tempeFed.
No. said resolutely; / wilt find her a
good boarding place wrote letter,
sealed--buts did not send it. Her words,
in one artless line. haunted me- 81 do so
long to see : familiar face that will remind
me of my dear home-my dear father and
mother in heaven. -
tThere is no use in being such a saw
age, said. mentally, and then ] tossed
| the letter intss the fire it was in January J,
and sent for Aunt Nifty. She was pare
person, with not the most pleasant face in
the world-but the face is not always an in
dex TO the heart.
II think some of having young lady
here. Aunt Mitty.'' I said
Lori are you going to get married %
and her knitting ne edles fell as if paralyzed.
%. No, not the least intention; you need
never ask that question. I shall be bach
elor all my days, and you shall keep house
for me. Aunt NIFTY. But you know have
spoken sometimes of my little ward, Miss
Alice HaughIen she has done going to
school, anu as she has neither father nor
mother, | must have her here I suppose
''Indeed % She said it as maiden ladies'
are apt to say that word, as if it embodied
an important question, and resumed her
knitting.
''Is there any room she could have ? or
shall l be obliged to furnish another ?''
"Well, If she's got property, she ought
to have fine room. should take the ar
licles out of the front chamber and have il
newly furnished
Every well,'' said I, ''tben will 60 with
you tomorrow and select the furniture
She will, suppose, have her own piano
forte brought on here, and we may expect
her in a week from to morrow. Can we get
ready in that time ?''
EYES," was her brief reply and her tall
form soon vanished through the doorway.
was called out of town on important
business on the day of the expected arrival,
and did not return till late in the evening.
l was cold, cherries and weary, and had
almost forgotten that was to meet any body,
when as was taking off my cloak in the
front hall, I heard light foot-step, and
looking round beheld vision for which
was but little prepared. Dressed in black
garments, a profusion of dark hair falling
in clustering curls from the temples, there
stood Alice her dark eyes, so like her faith
er's, beaming, glowing with warm well
come, her white hand outstretched to greet
me.
"Why, Alice % I exclaimed, forgetting
cold and fatigue, ''can this be you, so tall /!
so beautiful ?"
She blushed rosy -red, smiled, returned my
salu:ation, and led the way into the tea-room.
Surely some magic had transformed it.
had always thought it cheerful, but now
with that sweet presence. from which some
charm surely emanated, il seemed dazzling.
Perhaps my fairy had let on trifie more of
the gas perhaps she had caused the Lee
high to be replenished-I could not tell
but it appeared to me new and refreshing
place. I forgot all my trials: my heart
grew light in moment, could not keep
my eyes from the spalk king face OF my ward.
There is no use in trying to desc ibe her in
imitable grace. her varying expression every
moment disclosing some new charm-her
delicacy of department, and at times her
gravity of demeanor and thoughtful ways.
Let me return to that evening. 1t is my
oasis in the desert of dark memories.
never weary of dwelling upon it; never
shall.
At the table she presided, saying, laugh
ingly, the Aunt NIFTY had given up that
office to her. The old lady had lame
arm, and however much she might covet
the dignity of that Office, she was quite
willing to dispense with its burdens. She
too seemed as one fascinated, looking altern-
ately at Alice and myself; laughing hearth
ly at her witty little speeches-growing sad
in the face when she adverted to her loss
which had taken place six months before
and following her humor in all things.
''Shal read to you now, guardian 20
asked A lice prettiiV after sumner
1t was a new phase in my experience; to
sit idly by the fire in my dressing gown
and slippers, listening to the musical voice
of beautiful girl upon whose lips every
dry item of news grew into pearl as it
dropped.
Well, this was comfort-there was no de-
nying it. Every day the sweet giil won
upon me. She seemed perfection in all she
did and said Her playing was exquisite;
nor did she depend upon masters and prac-
tice, for her soul was the depository for
beautiful gems of melody, and she drew
them forth at will. How she had retained
her girlish simplicity, the sweet modesty of
mien for which as a child she was remarka-
BILE, I never could tell. Certainly, Alice
Haughton was unlike all other young ladies
had ever seen. / had rather anathema-
tized the whole class-but Alice Haughton
redeemed them all.
The first time I was awakened from my
dream of bliss was the occasion of a visit
made Alice by young and dashing man. a
gentleman in exterior, and l thought one
who entertained decided preferences for my
fair ward. I can never describe the feeling
of burning, maddening jealousy that tor
tured me as he stood in the brilliant music
room by the side of Alice. turning over her
music and casting admiring glances at her.
Then my heart walked up to the fact that
was in love with Alice. l, the staid bacbe-
lor of eight-and- twenty. loved with all the
intensity of my passionate nature, the fair