The Placer herald., 1870-09-17

luted forms.
"This is a trumpet SHE'LL" said the girl,
lifting up one rosy specimen, which was, in
reality, not unlike long and slender throat
ed bugle. "Uncle Daire used to say the
with them when they sailed away over the
sea-"
Medford smiled.
"And did they come ?"
The girl lifted her gray eyes wonderingly
to his face
"But you know that was only story
there are no sea aymphs or mermaids.
These big shells are for mantel; they used
to be in sister Sophy's room"
Have you got sister Sophy?' asked
Medford, idly lingering the shells, more for
the passing amusement of the hour than for
aught else "Does she sell shells too p
"No," said his strange little visitant, set
ting her lips demurely together Sister
Sophy is lady; am nothing but little
girl Sister Sophy doesn't like to be stared
at-she would rather stay at home and sew.
"And where are all the rest OF you?
"There is only Sophy and me. l wish,
she added gravely, "you would buy these
mantel shells; Sophy said if ! could sell
them they would pay the months rent, and
buy new floss silk for her embroidery work. ]"
"You are a pretty good little saleswo
man, laughed Medford. "Well, I'll buy
the shells of you, since you are so anxious.
How much are they?"
give dollars apiece.
81 am very much obliged to you, said
the little girl, as she rose to go.
"But you haven't told me your name yet,
said Medford, half from real curiosity, half
from motive of teasing banter, for the
child odd mature manner rather amused
him than otherwise.
"Alice Kneeland," she replied, with the
utmost gravity.
He started up. "Alice Kneeland And
your sisters name is Sophy? Why, knew
Sophy Knceand once; but, pshaw! they
can never be the same. The Miss Kneeland
used to know lived in New York.
$50 did we once, before we grew poor.
| can just remember the big house on Wal
ton street, and the open carriage mamma
used to ride in, with the pair of large bay
horses"
"Where do you live?' abruptly demand
ed Medford
''ln the little cottage just beyond Daw-
sons mill; you know where"
"But am stranger here; don't know
anything about your mills and cottages
VIII yaal go with me and show me where it
isp
"But the shells?"
eve will leave them here for Leo to
guard them.
"Colne, them" and Alice gravely took
the strangers hand.
Sophy Kneeland was sitting by the win
dow, sewing as swiftly as if her shining
needle had been endowed with electricity
when, happening to glance up, she saw Alice
crossing the green in front of the humble lit
tie residence, with tall man walking at her
side.
ooh, Sophy" frank little Alice cried out,
with child's blessed Inconsistencies of en-
barrassment or etiquette, "this is gentle
man who says he once knew you"
And Sophy Kneeland, without an instant
for preparation or thought, found herself
confronted with her lover of ten years ago.
He met her with quiet cordiality that at
first somewhat puzzled her; but at length the
scarlet dye subsidized from her cheek, and the
hutter from her heart, and she found herself
answering his questions, and soon volunteer
ing little remarks of her own. And before
he took his leave, she had promised to allow
him to come again.
Gas an old friend, you know" he said,
cheerily; and Sophy Kneeland assented.
Gas an old friend" But, when he was
gone, she caught herself wondering how she
could ever have been mad enough to refuse
his love!
Six months afterward, little Alice, run
ming on the terrace at Mordaunt Grange,
with her now faithful attendant, Leo, at her
side, came suddenly on Sophy, standing in
the bay window with Mr.. Medford at her
side. The child checked herself abruptly.
"Why, Sophy" she cried, what makes
your cheeks so red?'
Because" Mr.. Medford answered her,
81 have just asked her an impertinent ques-
ton. "
"And did she reply?' asked Alice, with
somewhat of innocent wonder in her face.
She has not, as yet.
Alice turned her eyes toward her sister,
and Sophy took courage.
81 have not answered it yet, but l am
quite ready to do SO.
"And the answer ?" asked Medford.
"Is-yes."
"But, eagerly questioned Alice, "what
was the question?-please tell me-
81 asked her if she would be my wife,
little Miss Inquisitve," laughed Medford.
"And she said yes?"
"You heard her"
"Oh cried Alice, clapping her hands,
chow nice Then shall have a real broth
er of my own!'
And Mordaunt Grange had mistress.
A man at Peekskill bet that he could eat
dozen green apples, and he actually won
the bet. The coroner was ofthe opinion that