National opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1865-1874, 1867-04-12

Atilplts.
Mrs. Conwag examined her crit.
cally.
"iou look very well, my dear,
very well indeed" was her gracious
comment.
81 should think she did, cried
Aleck with Indignation. Il say
she's "A regular Leauty, aint she,
papa -
Miss lie Baron swept proudly
away. No tint of rose stained the
white smoothneSs of her check.
What was his praise to her! Mark
BerestOrd walked hastily down
stairs, vowing that he wonld forget
this girl and her contounded proud
ways.
They were lighting the tree now,
by Mrs. Conway's orders. She was
eager to try the effect. n moment
it shomc-a pyramid of white fire.
The children danced with delight.
"Now blow cut the lights quick
~, SAID Mrs. Conway.
Little Mabel toddled nearer, her
small brain alive with curiosity and
interest. In an instant Aleck gave
a frightened shout. and every one
looked around with startled faces.
Then a cry parted the blanched lips.
The child'S muslin trock had swept
across a lighted taper and the light,
thin fabric was III flames Ill a mo-
mcnt.
80, Miss lie Baron, put it out,
put it OUT cried Mrs. Conway,
shrinking III cowardly fear fro:a
contact with Mabel, who. wild with
fright and pain, ran about uttering
terrible cries.
At her auut'S appeal to the gov
erness. Mabel sprang towards her,
and torgettlll OF danger to herself,
Thercse threw her down upon the
carpet, and worked brayely to ex-
tinguish the flames. She lifted her
up presently, Scorched and blacken-
eJ the pretty yellow curls had tal.
len sacrifice there would be a scar
OF two upon neck and arms, but
Mabel was saved.
80 my darling, | am so thank
tuI,' she cried, i'll glad tears.
80 papa. papa" "
He had come in with swift steps,
alarmed by the terrible outcries, but
in their fright they had not noticed
him, and he stood III silence an III.
stant, seeing it all at once.
Therese rose and turned towards
him, quietly saying:
"She is safe Nh BercSford.'
Il owe it to you, God bless your
he said, with emotion.
Her face was not now cold and
proud, but all alight with grati1ied
JOY.
ihe servants came with bandageS,
and cooling lotions and Mrs. Con
way herself again, hustled about
with her usual complacency.
Miss LIE Baron stood apart, Her
snowy dress was black and crum-
pied, her face was pale, but her
eyes glowed dark, and bright as dia
mondS.
/ Mr. Beresford went to her. "Are
YOU hurt = he asked anXiously,
catching IA look Of pain that crossed
her face. Good Heaven, yoNr
/ hands"
The fire had used them cruelty.
The delicate flesh was scanned with
red lines. He took them to his lips
covering them with kisses. Some
inarticulate, tender words, that
made licr eyes soft, and brought
the roses to her white cheeks, and
then Mrs. Conway came between
them, hard and sAarl yed.
"IOu had better so to bed at once,
! Hiss lie Baron"
But Hiss lie Baron refused to bo
sent to bed, and kept her place
among the guests. Some new feel.
] ing made her heart warm and hap
by that night. Mark Berestord see-
ing it grew strong in his resolve.
That night after the company had
| retired ThcreSe ran down to the
drawing room for some tritle she had
left t1ere. She was humming some
low, sweet tune, but the song died
suddenly when she heard voices in
the small alcovc in the library.
She turned. Tie crimson cur.
tainS, half parted, revealed the two
who stood there facing each other,
neither of them perceiving her.
Il suppose you know what | have
to say to her tomorrow" said ur.
Beresiord.
There was momcntary pause,
and then Mrs. Conway said, cold.
ly:
Yes, suppose you are bound in
honor to ask her, after what she
done"
.ur. Bercslord was silent. He
had no mind to let his grim sister
see his heart. And SO iii the s.
lence, ThereSe stole back to her
room, her mind full of strange, con-
Trajectory thoughts. Away down
below all her anger, and m0rtitlca-
ton, and shame, there was n miser'
able SENSE OF thankIulncss that sho
knew what he was going to do, and
WHY now she would know how to-
answer him, aud without this fore
knowledge she might-not have
known 50 we'll. She began to fear
that she did not hate Vr. Beres-
ford half as much as she ought.
Her face was very cold ana ms
cou,uuiup when he sought her the
next day. lie searched 1t in vain
,nr ony promise. II ever Mark
p.,,,.,r,I had hppu too Self.cOuf. I.