Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1872-07-20

Why. why id my father leave me drop
ped my head on tho upper stair aud cried
silently long, long iime until sweet littIO
May cuilcd her arms around my neck, saying
Kitty, my Kitty cousin, wake Up and be loved"
Yes, little May, love is better than gloves,
after all; love no al you can. And thus
grew hapPy again.
That evening uncle took them ell to the ope
"a and af,er the children were asleep, as thero
was no sewing to be done thought of the
piano and slipped down stains. AT first en-
ioyed looking at the fine pictures and books
aud everything in the dim light aud then !
Just touched tho keys little, at first. ! could
not rOsst the impulse my fingers would slip
from key to key, and at last, as no one seem
ed TO notice, forgot aunt Maria entirely, and
played and played oil the sweet old pieces l
used to love, because fathor praised them. /
almost thought heard again the clear notes Of
his au,e joining ne, and closed my eyes and
made Relieve VIC were together again in the
cottage where we were so happy. Something
made my eyes open, and by the door stood tho
same gentleman had seen in the morning;
he said be was passing and heard the piano;
thought perhaps Miss Edith was there
think lie noticed my fear, for he smiled and
osked me to pluy on.
q don't think Ia better, sir. Edith is
away. ! didn't know il was so late"
How the words seemed to stumble over
each other | felt so awkward, | thought ho
looked amused, and perhaps was laughing at
me and before knew il was making ba-
by Of myself again, with great tears rolling
over my bluslling face Atthat he came close
to me, and said in the tendcrcst voice, Don't
be troubled, Miss Kitty, am not stranger
in the house, little May hos told mo many
sweet story about you; I'm glad to see you
now, but don't play If you are tired won.
you stay and talk with mo a few nilutosT
Yes. ifyOu are not laugh!Osat mo.
why, never dreamed Of L."
knew in q moment ho was honest with me;
and when he OskCd why played with my
oyos shut, told him about fatbor, aud our
pretty home aud how easy Il vas TO sec It
when my eyes wero shut, and how longcd TO
60 TO II sometimes; aud that in my sleep
often heard tho brook near II as It us0d TO CUR.
gle over the stones cad through the Tushes
aud although this was very grand and beautl-
ful, it seemed like strange life to mo.
often wished might 60 back Instead Of for
ward, for oil my othOr life was so lovely aud
bright and coy. and this was cold. tried TO
10 happy. but oao can. holp missing fathers,
said.
81 should think not" ho answered, Gnd
seemed SO interested and kind / could have
told hin anything. ! was go glad to think
he would be my cousin.
Aunt Maria said next morning the gloves
were doubtless misdrcctcd, but Edith wanted
me to accepta pair Of them. When thanked
her at night she blushod. remembered having
heard that very generous people diSkcd 70 re-
ceiye thanks.
Il was q long time before / saw Mr Ray
mond OgaiD, only as | went to the sitting
room sometimes TO get Nay 10 put her to bed
once he asked me to stay long enough to play
something, but aunt Maria answered for INC
that was 10 musician, and felt mortified
that DO had ever heard inc. Little May used
often TO bring papers Of bonbons aud nico
candies, saying that Nr. Raymond bado her
share them with me, aud once she brought a
bunch Of English yiolots aud said Llr Ray
mond sent them to nc. How happy was
afterwards for days After that wo oitcn saw
him In the park One day he sald he must
help inc take care Of tic children, they wero
so frolicsomo he filed their pockets with
sweets and we had right merry timo. That
day lie asked me If had used up ihc gloves
yet, aud when wondered at lis meaning ho
said, Did you uol get tie box Of gloves sent
you. Kitty 2"
NO, yes-they were for nc, then ?" How
happy ! felt.
"0f course they worO you failed 70 get
them ?"
Aunt Maria thought they were for Edy,
but no matter. I'm glad they were mine"
laughed with real pleasure.
"And you had them taken from you?" .IIo
spoke 50 s,ernly it terrified me- Eli,h gave
me one pair, NJ Raymond tbis pair, see."
Then be took my hand and held it just as
father used to, and bis voice sounded ike faith
er's little, and lie said-but ! could never
tell what lie said. seemed to walk home oa
a.r The children loated around me os
though they were borne along with wings
Mr Raymond wen, 10 the door with US, aud
said lie should see mg uucls tLat day, then
lie liitl his Lat. and lis eyes took 10 ny whole
soul aud bore it away from me.
When Edith met ne 10 the ball looking 80
pale. and asked nc what al tits meant,
could only say, didn't know, Ln; !, seemed
likshsayon." ItLinkii was in paFi heaven, for
Elith's or aunt MariRs asser failed to disturb
t. Iitilo lay aud nestled in the glory Of IT
a., TIC afternoon, and when late my uncle son,
ior mc 70 go to hin, ID tie library, almost
few Iheard hin say os be drew ma 70 Lin.
" trust you, Raymond. % make bsG happy
she IS the orphan Of Dy only brother" Then
| knew that 10y UufeuoastEstige Gscis ioyod