Maryland free press., 1867-03-21
THE ADOPTED DAUGHTER.

|
face as she sat by the cracking coal fire, in the
large velvet easy chair she had adhered to, spite
of the changing fashions of twenty-five years,
| with her tiny feet on nm embroidered foot stool,
and nm open letter in her lap The arrot swing
ing idly to and fro in his glittering cage, bnked
inquistively at Mrs. Darling, as it he conld not
imagine Why hcr peach bloom cheek wore n
| brighter flush than usual, and the poodle dog,
on his satin cushions before the fire, slecpilv
smiles that danced unconsciously around her
pretty mouth, as if he could not find any reas-
enable grounds to account for them. Yes, MIS-.
Darling iSu,i,g was Happy, very happy in her own
ihoughts-so happy that she was almost annoy
cd when Miss Pendleton was announced, and a
prim: little old maid, quivering with ribbons,
and stiff with black silk draperies, walked in the
cheerful room. $50, /" remarked Miss Pend!eton
when the ordinary subjects of chit chat were eX-
hausted "your son has gone west, | under
stand?',
eyes" said Mrs. Darling: ''Harry has al
WAYS wanted to explore the regions, aud, as he
| intended to pass near the large Orphans asy-
lnmn; commissioned him to pick me out some
| nice little girl TO adopt"
"a little girl! bless me! Do you know what a
re possibility ii will he, Mrs. Darling?, croaked
Miss Pendeton, shaking ribbons ominiously
"fes, said Mrs. Darling, with something OF
| an apologetical tone; "but you cannot imagine
how have always longed for dear little daugh-
ter. Harry was well enough as long as he could
sit on my lap, and have his hair curled around
my fingers every morning; but he is six feet two
now, and somehow | caunot make vacant place
with lapdogs ard polparrots. want soft-har-
ed loving daughter to sit beside me all these long
winter days-to teach and fonde and to have all
| to myself"
| ''You will fad it shockingly expensive bet
ter have given the money to the missionaries"
said Miss Pendleton, scornnlly elevating her uose
at Mrs. Darling s,,romantic fancies. "We are rich
| n ord ia In lpi said tbn fiJ I,J,
| meekly.
"But list end'a Miss Pcnde'on, to what Harry
says. Only think of it, he is to be at home to
night in an hour "
| And she adjusted her spcc,aclos and opened The
| letter.
'l.et me sec-oh! here it is" and then she
| read:
| g 'Ihave been to the asylum, as you desired,
dearest mother, and after voyage of inspection
| through about three hundred pug-nosed little
creatures, succeeded in finding one whom think
will snit you She has curly black hair, beauti-
! tu ewes, and a complexion that makes me think
| of your pink balsamiuc. Tou cannot help lik-
| ing her spnsition-somewha reserved at first
but after You become well acquainted with her,
she is the most low ne little creature in the'worId
| have been obliged to delay my return for sew
| cral weeks longer than had anticipated. IN or
der to make suitable arrangements Tor bringing
| her home with me. But we shall be with Won on
| thursday evening, without fail. ! had almost
forgotten TO tell you that her name is Violet
There" said the old lady, trumphantlv ta-
king CT her gold spcctacles, ''what do you think
Of that"
'Beauiy is only skin deep, said Miss Pendle-
| ton, oraCuiry.
~ know that but can't help hcing clad she
is pretty. do like 10 see pretty thngs.arouud,
no matter whether they are flowers or pictures.
or human creatures. ] know shall love this
| l. II - . l.
old she is Int think some six or seven years
ofagc. Cfcourse ! will teach her knitting and
all that sort of thing. | wonder If she can read
! Good gracious! six clock already. Betty, Bet
| ty, we will have tea in here Tonight; il is so
much more socahle. Now dent 30. Miss Pen
dleton," for the ancient maiden lady was ma
| king preparatory iluiter among her stlf rib
bons; ''Stay and take tea with me- and see my
little adopted child"
Miss Pendeton, whose daily bread was picked
up wherever she had chance to eat ii from 9th
er peoples tables, was nothing 10th, and Mrs.
Darling hustled around to prepare the evening
meal 'just as Harry liked it." And very tempt
ing it looked to the half starved spinstor when
the tout ensemble was complete-the kissing tea
urn Of solid silver, the baskets of cake 4 studded
with citrons and rnisens, and ridged with pcarlv
icing, TO say nothing of the cut glass dishes,
where golden peaches lay piled in sch of sac
eharine juice, and crimson p!ums suggested
huge preserving kettles ana skiliful house
wiferv.
At last when preparations hai reached a stage
ofpcrfection, and Mrs. Darling had consulted her
watch about the twentieth time, there was n
ring Mt the door bell and rattle of trunks in
the hall. Mrs. Darling started up.
"lt is Harry-it is Harry! Now shall see my
darling little new child.
She sprang forward as the door opened, and
the tall figure OF her son appeared, all mufiied in
travelling apparel.
"My Harry my boy!" she exclaimed as he gaily
canght her in his arms, showering half dozen o.
kisses on her yer unwrinkled brow.
"Welcome home again! but where is the little
grip
She gazcd around, evidently expecting to sec
some small appnrilion in blue checked apron,
but what was her astOhishment when Harry
with mischicvous twinkle in his dark eyes, led
forward beautiful young creature ofabout six.
teen, whose cheeks half yelled by the long silk '
curls that hung over them, were in a carnine o
pretty confusion.
"IIerc she is mother; the sweetest little daugh
ter could possibly pick out for you'll Allow me
to present my wife!
Who could resist the appealing glance ofthost
soft lustrous eyes? Not Mrs. Darling, certainly
who instnctvely clnspcd the slender figure, tc
her motherly breast though her brain was in
whll ofminglcd astouishmcnt.
GLOW do you like her, mothcr?"
"Likc her! l am charmed with her. Blu
, Harry"
"Well?"
81 thought you found her in the orphans asy
lum."
ole did" intorposcd Violet, quite timidly
Dearest mamma, until this moment | was or
phan; now have learned what it is to find q
mothcr?"
Mrs. Darling gave Violet such hug as mus
have convinced her of the sincerity of her newly
dawnng tenderness, while Harry continued:
"She was the clde.t of the asylum orphans
) and the managers were just about to seek a stu
alton as goyerness for her, when blnndered in
ON the qui vive for playth for you. Ofcours'
fell head over heels in love with her the frs
moment saw her. Who would not?' askcC
Harry admirney contemplating the shrinking
little beauty whose face was hidden on,hiS moth
er's shoulders. 81 concluded tha! such wife =!
, Violet would be the most acceptable daughter
+ could bring you, and waited for two or three
, weeks to indpce her TO become of thcIsame mind
, and here we are, Mr. and Mrs Darling. Wash
right Perfectly right" said Mrs. Darling
caressing the soft curs of her new daughtcr-in
: law Welcome to our home and hearts deal
, Violet" .......
lust al this moment the old lady rccollecteG
Ill,