The Republican journal., 1872-05-09


selves. A merry, noisy, echoing place
we made Of it then, you may be sure.
On this night that am going to tell Of
Sir Hugh and Lady Hurst were to dine at
a distance-so tar off that they started
quite early in the afternoon. Dolly stood
in the hall talking to her father and me
while we waited for Lady Hurst 70 come
down stairs
Take care of your little sister my lads,
said Sir Hugh. as the boys dashed in and
pulled up suddenly, for they still stood in
a little wholesome awe of their father
land take care of Miss May, too and
enjoy Yourselves as much as you can
and don't expect us until You see US, fol
our coming home appears to me extreme
ly uncertain. Here's mamma; another
kiss, my beauty
This was to Dolly, who sprang into his
arms, and laid her bright little head upon
his shoulder.
Good bye, papa; I'll take good care
cf them all Z"
This was one of Dolly's favorite Jokes,
and we always laughed at it, Just as if We
had not heard it before
That's right, dear. Now shall know
they are Safe said Sir Hugh, his eyes
full of 4 smile that was good to see, as he
felt the little warm cheek against his own
"GoOd-bye, my treasure Good-bye, nv
best little treasure !"
Lady Hurst sailed down the broad oak
stairs, holding up her white velvet skirt
in one hand, and Il rare and brilliant bou-
quet in the other Dolly had taken heI
fur cloak from the maid, and now came
rl Nrith Rr,t h,, bn b,,II
up, daintily and demurelv, her mother
dropped the trail flowers and the rich
white dress, and kneeling down upon il
on the marble pavement, to bring her face
on a level with the child's clasped hel
closely to her
dolly, darling. the little arms are toe
short yet; putthem around mothers neck
instead"
As she knelt so, the child fast in hel
embrace, the flowers crushed and mheed
ed al her feet, the father looking down
upon them both with a curious glad pride
and tenderness, a strange, incomprehen-
Sible fear stole over me, a fear of leaving
me alone with the care Of their darling
and for a minute the responsibility seemed
more than | could bear. Only for that
minute did feel it, though. When we
all stood together to watch the carriage
out Of sight, we We're the gayest little
party possible.
Miss May, will you consent to hide
and seek?" aked Hugh, beginning al
once to follow his fathers advice, and en-
JOY himself,
Yes, willingly; if Dolly and Harry
like It,"
"Oh, yes, we like ii" they both cried
at once; and | said we would begin al
once, as it would not be light very long,
and then we could play trelight games in
the school room.
They answered delightedly, and we
raced each other along the passages, while
the echo OF our rapid footsteps and oul
laughter went before.
1t was 4 grand house for hide and seek
and enjoyed the game As thoroughly as
the children did.
Just one more find Just one more. please
Miss May" pleaded Dolly, when |, feel
ing the short winter afternoon was draw
ing in, proposed to change the game 81
have a plan. and | want Just one more
hide, please" She Went on, her little teel
dancing, as they always did. when she
was earnest and excited: II have a
plan, just one more hide, please, Hugh
it's Your turn to seek
She watched Hugh out of sight with i'm
patient eyes, then she whispered hel
plan
"Mss May, yon and will hide in Sin
Rupert's room. Hugh will never, never
guess it; because-because he knows I'm
a little bit frightened of being there-at
least that | used to be. So he will never
find us-neyer, and our side will win.
Would you mind, though?'
| mind, if she did not
Then come now, quick. Harry will
lock us in, won't you Harry and hang
the key up again where it is now then
hide yourself somewhere, as far as pos
sible. D, what a good thought it is
Hugh never will guess"
The light feet ran down the gloomy
darkening corridor, | followed closely, for
Dolly had fast hold of my dress all the
time. We went gaily together into the
great high room, walking heedlessly to-
gether over those faded stains on the color
less carpet When Harry took down the
key, and | saw how large and massive il
was, an odd little shudder stole over me
but before | could speak, he had opened
the door, and Dolly, halt curiously halt
timidly, stepped in, still holding me 50
that | could not but follow Immediately
Harry hung the key upon its hook again,
and then ran away.
Dolly still held me in the darkness, and
| was very glad. felt almost afraid OF
her passing from my touch, as well as
from my sight. Presently we grew ac-
customed to the blackness, and Dolly
even whispered, laughing softly, that il
would be greater fun still, if we could
slide the panel back so tha- neither Hugh
nor Harry could find us. For my own
part, | felt relieved that we could not
and | said tancied Hugh would hardly
be able to find US as it was
II don't really think he wll,n cried
Dolly in her gleeful voice II don't seem
bit afraid now, do you p
"No; but | want to feel what the place
is like. Let me 20 a moment, pet"
But when | moved my hand along the
| walls, | telt nothing but dust and cob
webs, until it came against the pile of old
pictures propped there. Dolly's cropping
fingers had Just seized mine again, when
we could hear the noisy opening of the
door at the other end Of the long outer
room, and we guessed rightly that Harry
was found, and that Hugh had good idea
of our hiding place.
''Stop, stop a moment" exclaimed
Dolly in an excited whisper; ''Pll 90 be
hind the big pictures. | won't mind the
dirt"
| Before l had time to stop her or hell
her, she was, suppose, safely hidden un
| der the boards and canvass, for her voice
had a half mutfled sound when she tolt
me she was "all right now"
At that moment heard the key put in
to the lock, and through the open door
way came a little light at last.
Miss May, declare I" shouted Hugh
pulling me triumphantly from the narrow
room. "Now where is Dolly?" Not fal
off, III be bound"
He was Just going back to seek Dolly
when Harry guessing at her stratagem
and pleased to delay his brothers triumph
pulled him back, turned the key upon hi.
sister, and with it in his hand, ran off
shouting that our side was not beaten yet
This, of course. assured Hugh that Dol
ly was hidden in the closet; and he turneo
and followed, crying that this was unfair