The evening Argus. [volume] (Rock Island, Ill.) 1861-1871, 1870-06-04
ThUNDER-STRUCk.
ABealltifulStOry

oil this varied melody seemed TO issue, NOD
ert saw only one solitary tree, ana one
shadowy bird stirring among us que.
branches aud remem oerlng TO nave heard
a recent debate in which 1t had been as
serted that the male American cst-oird Is
often q uocking bird OF rare powers, be de-
tsrmined to climb the bank and try to dis
cover if the creator OF all this musical olio
was indeed one of that most despised race.
He ssceuted the bank with little effort,
and was pressing on with his eyes raised TO
the tree which had seemed the orchestra of
this unique performance, when his steps
we're suddenly arrested by = peal of low,
clear, ringing human laughter, sweet and
soft as the fall Of . chime OF silver bells,
which came bubbling up from the ground at
his very feet and there, Graded in the fresh,
blossomy grass, whose howery tops, pink
and white, nodded around the brink of her
rustic nest, lay child a little girl of arpar.
emily not more than six years old.
She was a child Of singular loneliness and
beauty, and . complexion of that pure, lrm
ivory Wilderness, rarely seen bsyond the fresh
young life Of healthy infancy and It's or'i
iaucy was heightened BY long, loose ours,
OF that rare, peculiar tint OF auburn - !
to describe, but universally sun''ea "AoA
seen. 49,
,-onnd in a careless attitude of perfect free |
So,o and abandon but her position had ell
the unstudied grace which the plant form
nj unconscious childhood often assumes.
The small feet were lightly crossed, and one
little dimpled hand was thrown over her
mead, the snowy Wilderness of the delicate
blue veined wrist relieved by the rich masses
OF curls upon which it rested, and in the
soft, cleaning rings of which the small
ivory fnge.s had unconsciously lost them
selves. The other little hand was held up
before her, on level with her eyes. and
upon the back of it (smooth and white and
finely grained as the unique petal of the
Gala Az rested q gorgeous summer butter
fly, calmly lifting and depressing it's bur-
nshed wings, and furiing and unfurling its
graceful auteunn, with seemingly the same
quiet sense of enjoyment as if perched on
the bosom of some newly opened blossom.
# was doubtless the advent of this little
winged visissnt which hsds called forth tina;
low, sweet. childish laughter.
As Roberts feet approached the couch Of
this little woodland nymph, the insect, taking
alarm, rose slowly on its rain bow wings, and
sailing round in graceful gyrssions, IS if IN
willing to depart, scared aloft Oh the still
summer air, followed b, another peal of sill
very laughter from the child, whose sweet
eyes watched it till it was lost in the blue
heavens, scarcely purer or more intensely
blue than themselves and then without
changing her attitude in the least, she
turned her sweet glances full upon the new
conner; but, to Roberts surprise, she mani
tested no emotion, either of fear or wonder,
at his close proximity, regarding him with a
sort OF regal cslmness and self possession
an cir of even greater indifference, per
hsps, than she had bestowed upon the
butterfly.
Infinitely amused at what he supposed to
be the incipeut coquetry of this little rustic
beauty, Robert dropped upon his knee by
her side, and regarded her for q moment
with fixed attention, curious to discover how
long she could maintain the dignity of her
royal silence; aad for little space neither
Of them spoke; but he could detect in her
no wsverine, no change, no sign of en- otion,
unless it were in a nervous dilation and con
traction Of the pupils of the sweet, humid
eyes, which gave to them a tremulous mo
ton, ike the radiant scntillstious Of q dew
drop, and the varying color on the fair
cheek, which deepened and faded, like the
passing shadow of rosy cloud. with every
breath she drew.
Finding the child did not mean to speak
10 him, Robert was at last the one to break
the silence.
well, little one" he said, lsughiugly,
abiding to her prolonged gaze at him.
"You mean TO know NE when we NEE,
again, don't you p
No answer, only faint, scarcely percepti-
bic sigh parted the sweet, rosy lips.
"And so, nv little singing bird" contin
ued the Young man, twas it really You who
made all that music? / expected TO find a
whole treefu! of birds, and | find only one
little ground sparrow nesting in the grass
viii you sing for me again, as you did JUS
now ?"
Still no answer and as Robert observes
the child closely he saw that her gaze wa
growing wandering and distracted. the colo
IN her lips and face fading away, and
heaviness as of sleep stealing over the sof
eyes and weighing down the white lids, will
their long silken fringes.
why, Bobolink," said he, in surprise
"you are not going to sleep, are you 2. Tel
me where you live, and if you are tired
will carry you home
Still no answer came, unless the deepened
breathing and the closing eyes ans wer ed
him.
why, child said the young man, still
more earnestly, 81 tell you you must not
sleep here in the grass why, the dew is be-
ginning to fall already Tell me where you
live, and will carry you home in my arms;
but you must not sleep here :" and as he
spoke be attempted gently to raise her.
40" said the child, speaking in languid
sleepy tones, and with q repelliug gesture o
her hand.
''But I must" said Robert, 81 cannot 60
and leave you here alone it ia almost night
Are you not afraid And again he attem pt
ed 10 raise her.
"Ho" repeated the little one. ''No =
no, Ella--no :"
But at this moment the interview was in
terrupted BY q new arrival. Even as the
child spoke, and as if in answer to her voice
quiet painting sound was heard, and a
huge Newfoundland dog, coal black and
shaggy coated. dashed up the Mill, aud crash
ing through the underground OF bushes stood
over the PROSTATE form of a child, bringing
mis- huge avs and red tongue into very
unpleasant proximity to Mr.. Middleton q
lace, and gave a short, sharp, and most e1-
presslve growl, which served to show white
and very determined looking set of teeth
and then dropping his head. be began TO
fo1o lie the face OF the child, who seemed to
recognize the new conner q familiar friend
for, without unclosng her eyes, she clasued
her arms fondly about his neck, and uttered
again that low, sweet, musical laugh and
then, sprinping suddenly to her feet, she
twisted her hand in his rough name, and the
two oddly-assorteo companions began slow
ly to descend the hill on the other side.
"At least Won will let me go with you,
hope" said Robert advancing to the othe
side ofthe child, and attempting to take he
hand in his. The little girl did not agar
repulse him, but the dog stopped short, fixet
his eyes on the intruder and gave anothe'
OF those meaning uttersnces, so vholly IN
!h''tssae'e In its import that Robert though
II safest to withdraw, and leave the little one
the care OF q guardian who seemed
fully competent tn h;a oft l. 1000