The Andrew County Republican. [volume] (Savannah, Mo.) 1871-1876, 1872-02-14
short vet: put them round mothers neck

snort YET: put tnem rouhu u 'AN0
instead"
AS She knelt so, the child fast in her en-
brace the flowers crushed and unheeded at
her feet, the father looked dow upon them
both with a curious glad pride and tender
ness. a strange, inGomprehensible fear stole
over me a fear of their leaving me alone
with the care of their darling, and for a
minute the responsibility seemed greater
than | could bear. Only for that minute
did | feel it, though. When we all STOOD TO-
gether to watch the carriage out OF slght'
we were the gayest little party possloie.
.sMiss MAY, will you consent to hide ana
seek ?" asked Hugh. BE- ginning at once to
follow his flther's advice, and ENJOY NM
self.
..Yes, willingly; if Dolly and Harry like
it."
sOh. YES, we like it :" they both cried at
once; and | said we would begin at once, -
it would not be light very long and then we
could play freight games in the school,
room.
They answered lelightedly, and we raced
each other alonA the passage, while the
echo ofour rapid footsteps and our laughter
went before.
1t was q grand house for h~ide,and-seek
and | enjoyed the game as thoroughly as the
children did
s'Just one more find-just one more,
please. N IS May pleaded Dolly. when l.,
feeling the hort winter afternoon was
drawing in, proposed 10 change the game.
Il have a plan, and want Just n more
hide. please" she went on. her little feet
dancing as they always did. when she was
earnest and excited: II have a plan; just
one more hide, please. Hugh, its your
turn to seek"
She watched Hugh out Of sight with i'm
| natjent ewes, then she whispered her plan {:
Miss NAV. you and 1 will hide in Sir
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 81 he will never look
| there, and never find us-never, and our
| side will win. Would you mind, though -
| mind, if she did not
s.Then come now, quick. Harry will lock
| us in, won't you, Harry? and hang the key
up again where it is now: then hlne your
| self somewhere. as far away as possible. D.
what q good thought it is! Hugh never
! will guess"
The liuht feet ran down the gloomy dark
ening corridor; followed closely, tor Dolly
had fast hold of nv dress all the time
We went gaily together into the great high
room. walking heedlessly over those faded
stains on The colorless carpet. When Harry
took dow the key, and | saw how large
and massive it was, an odd little shudder
crept over me; but before | could speak he
had opened the door, and Dolly. half curl
ously, half timidly. stepped in. still holding
me so that | cOHld nor but follow imme-
diately. Harry hung the key upon lis hook
again. and then ran off. -.
Dolly still held me In the darkues5; and
was verv glad. | felt almost afraid ri her
passing from my touch, as we'll as from my
sight. Presently We grew accustomed 10
the ~blsckness: and Dolly even whispered.
laughing softly. that il wOuld be greater fun
stiff. IL we could slide The panel back, 50
that neither Hugh nor Harry could fini Us.
For nv own part, | felt relieved that we
could not; and | said | fancied Hugh would
hardly be able to find us as it was.
IL don't really think he will, cried Dolly,
in her gleeful voice.
~ don't seem a bit afraid now, do youE
mo: but | want TO feel what the place is
like. Let me go n moment. pet
But when | moved my hand along the
walls. | felt nothing but dust and
until it came against the pile of old pictures
propped there. Doily's cropping fingers had
lust seized mine again. when We could hear
the noisy opening OF the door at III" other
| end of the long outer room. and we Guessed
rightly that Harry was found, AID that
Hugh had 4 good idea OF our h~iding--piace:
stop, stop a moment exclaimed
III Y L - : - $1,000
the biz pictures. | won't mind the dirt"
Before | had time To stop her or help her,
she was, | suppose. safely hidden under the
boards aud canvas, for her voice had n hall
mHfhed SCUM when she told me she was
I. all right now"
At that instant / heard the key pat into
the lock. and through the open doorway
came a little light at least.
Miss Nav. | DECLARE shouted Hugh,
pulling me ~triumphantly from the narrow
room. Now, where's Dolly? Not far Oft,
III be bound.'
He was JUS. going back to see Dolly, "hen
Harry, guessing her stratagem. and pleased
to DELAY his brothers triumph, pulled him
back, turned the key upon his sister, and
with il in his hand. ran off, shouting that
our side was not beaten yet.
This. of course, assured Hugh that Dolly
was hidden in the closet; aud he turned
and followed. crying that this was unfair, as
il certainly was. Gut Harry had had agooC
start, and was the better runner, too.
,tDolly, M darling" | cried, wishing
with all nv heart that | was locked into III,
darkness with her. come close TO the dool
and talk to me. You will not mind bein
bv Yourself a very little time. Hugh Il
gone for the key he will be back in a few
minutes"
heard Il movement OF the boards, and
waited.
Come close 10 me. with only the doc
between us. Dolly"
-. can not answered a distant, mutiiG(
voice " the tn ngs have slipped, and cal
hot yet ont now till you come and move
them. | don't mind. Miss May, Ce?r. In
not afraid-don'J you mind"
| ran to the other door, and called ant
listened, but | Eeird no sign OF the boy!
return.
..Do you hear them coming now ques
toned Dolly distant voice, when ! had re
!, gained my old position.
Not yet, dear but they must come in
> few minutes"
And again / ran and shouted but thu
dismal corridor only echoed my own fright
, ened tones, and gave me back no nswer
dolly, dear" | cried again, through thu
key-hole, only wanting TO hear her speak.
Dolly, | am here.
; Then the little, weak v0ics: ans We red me
7 miss May dear, | feel 50 strange &; jos
as if | couldn't breathe. And | hear cd,
sounds-io yOu?"
mo, darling, nothing. Perhaps YOU
! hear the boys
.N-no. Will they come soong"
- think so, pet; / am going tn hastel
them now. | shall only be a moment o
two away
..Don't go yet" the child pleaded. Wal
a little minute. Hugh is sure to come. |
, Is so dark"
= Then l put my mouth to the key-hole ant
, spoke to the little one again:
"Do you hear me, d~arling?"
; Yes"
"Then. Dolly. dear. il sing your favor