The St. Cloud journal., 1870-07-14

brother should appear as he sometime
appeared to her when she sat alone an
! waited for him. That ono disgrace Il,
whole world had better know befor
this brave and upright gentleman, sh
thought, the color flushing into her lit
tle dark cheeks.
Josie was thinking something Of thi
as she stood examining her tulip-bed
bundled up in large red shawl, whe'
the subject Of the thought came in.
''These busy little hands are to hav
a rest to-day" he said, in his grav
kind way. "My mother is waiting to
you to take a drive with her, Miss Ken
nard."
II should have liked it," she said
hesitating, "but 1 cannot to-day"
"Too busy, I suppose" he said, will
a smile; "but we never heed that
Come, Miss josephine, my mother i
frightened into Mysteries at being lef
alone with my horse, and do not sti
without you" Tears gathered in th'
bright eyes as she glanced up and saw
him 50 thoroughly in earnest. It wa
so pleasant to this girl, on whom restet
the responsibility of household VIII
from child had only had to propos,
and command to b. ruled and direct
ed herself with such watchful tender
ness. All! tenderer and kinder il
would have been, she thought after
wards, if he had told her who he was
to bring to his home when the frs,
glad breath of spring should fill the
air, without gladdening the pure young
heart which had always, until then
exulted in its coming.
"Tbank you, Major Herman. will
come then in one moment" She rau
back, pushed open one Of the low win
dows, fiom which a little eager face
peeped wistfully out, aud took Eric 10
her arms. "You shall come out and
play now, DEAR" she whispered
81 cannot leave you there but remem.
Der, if you ever say chose forbidden
words again, I shall send you up into
the empty room to stay all day. Do
you underestimate
eyes, joe"
~ don't think you will do it, because
you know how wicked it is; but if you
do, that IS how I must punish you.''
"Don says them, Joe," whispered
the child, little awfullv.
"Don would not say them if he
thought about it," she answered sadly ;
che hears bad, wicked men in the city,
and he forgets. God hears those
words, Eric, darling, as plainly as He
hears your prayers. Here, take him
of, Freddy, and enjoy yourselves. You
have waited for him, I suppose
A troop Of boys stood at the garden
door to meet Josie on. her return from
her drive, and followed her in to the
bright warm room.
"Don is not come quite yet, I SUP
pose?" she said, lingering at the fire
while the tea waited.
"Not yet," answered Will; she
won't come to tea now"
The meal was over, the little ones
went to bed, MIR. Kernard followed,
aud Josie settled herself opposite the
timepiece with her work. Eight, nine,
and Jerome went too. Ten, eleven.
Will put down bis book.
"Come, ice dear, do not sit up any
longer. Don has his latch-key, or he
would not venture to be 50 late."
III want to finish this pair of stock
iugs," she said, quibbling little.
Gas if I did not know, dear little sis
ter, for what you are sitting up?'
"Don't you mind staying too, Will Z"
He looked into her eyes.
"You wish to sec Don alone, dear
then goodnight"
The gas was turned off now, and
josie sat in the lonely fre.lit room.
Twelve and as Donald entered the
rom, she read his face anxiously. She
interrupted his rcbuke, softly and
steadily.
II must speak to you sgain tonight,
Don, just our two selves alone. I tee
as if it must be the last time, L am ~
tired OF it. Why DO you dislike you
home at night ?"
"Dlslike it Why, l-I-love it," h
answered, laying hot, unsteady hand
on her soft dark hair. J.,
"Then why do you always avoid it p
"Why, you see, fellow must have
little fun with his frienhs after day.
work." -
"You have dearer friends in the cit,
than you have here then, Don ?"
"Well, Of course, I have friends, 20,
little innocent"
"Could not they be our frinds, too p
II don't suppose you would care 70
them. They are not Major Herman
kind"
Her face vas little less pale in tn
freight as she raised it in last:appea1
IF you ike them, why should no
we? We are all brothers and sisters
you know, and it would be 50 pleasan
to have you at homo. We are withou
you all day long. The example is 81
bad for the others and oh, I do 81