The Louisianian. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1870-1871, 1871-04-09

ing her sit and read to him; and often
they wandered off into long talks after
ward, until Grace, with start. would
remember her role of nurse, and hurry
off to the children.
Once day Allie and Fred paid papa
. visit and on one memorable Saturday,
they came, as usual, looking pretty droll
as ever.
"How are you, monkeys?" said their
papa, twitching the curls of the pair, as
they stood on tip-toe to be kissed.
"Pity well" said Allie, gravely. "Osa
was cwoss dis morning, and pulled my
turls dwedfully."
"Serve you right" said Percy. II
suppose you didn't stand still Why did
you think Rosa was cross"
"'Osa kyed!" put in Fred, desirous of
notice.
Nonsense. Fredl you were dreaming"
said Grace, quickly.
"Ou mustn't tell wrong stories," said
Allie, severely; 'it's witted. 'Ou did Ky
II sa,o ou! and GU said on mus go
away from here.
Grace's face burnt like fire.
"1ts true that must go away before
long, sir" said she, addressing Percy.
"Mrs. Rochester is still without maid;
and she has been so very kind to me that
I feel as if ought to return, as soon as
you can provide yourself with sub
stitute"
ut would be hard for me to do that,
he said, little under his breath, looking
steadily at her downcast face. It was an alb
solute relief to Grace that Fred, at that
moment, upset cut-glass dish contain
ing jelly, breaking it into bits.
"Oh, Fred!" said Grace, "you are get
ting naughty again. Did I not tell you
never to touch anything on papa's table?
I shall have to take you both down to
the library, and give you long lesson as
punishment. 1 will be back before long,
Mr.. Keith, and finish that review for you: -
and off she went, the children clinging to
each hand.
They were unruly pupils enough at all
times, but that morning they were es-
pecially rebellious Fred would not be
convinced that ga" 3d." spelt anything
whatever; and Allie insisted that I'd" and
20" were the same letter. Grace was
busily engaged in trying to conquer Fred;
so Miss Allie improved the opportunity
to give clutch at the comb in Grace's
hair, lost her balance in the attempt, and
Alice and the hair tumbled down to-
gether.
"You abominable child" scolded Grace,
picking her up; "you shall be-" But
the sentence never was finished, for, on
looking up, there stood Percy! The room
whirled before Grace's eyes, and she
stood looking the picture Of guilt as he
came nearer to her.
81 had a dream while I was Ill" he
said, taking her hand, "a dream of pale
girl, with hair and eyes like yours; hair
as I see it now, and not hidden, as you
have worn it heretofore, and eyes full Of
tears. And the vision prayed for mel
he exclaimed, as he sunk into chair, too
weak and excited to stand And then,
as if uncontrollably, he drew her down
beside him, and kissed her once-twice!
GA charming tabeau-uiuunt" said a
voice. "Percy Keith, are you mad!" and
Mrs. Rochester planted herself in front
of the pair, looking like Nemesis in
person.
"Oh, auntie! !" screamed Allie papa
tissed 'Osa two times!"
"Arent you ashamed of yourself, Percy!
Indignantly. Even that child"
Fanny, be quiet! said her brother.
II won't! When I've begged and
besought you to look about you and
select wife when there are New York
girls by the score who'd give almost
anything to have you; when I told you I
had picked out that lovely Grace Elliot
for you-to disgrace your"
Fanny! Fanny" but the storm
rushed on unheeding. eyes disgrace
yourself, and all of us As for you, you