Marshall County Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1856-1878, 1872-04-11

mined to make it that = UGH talked and
thought of painting that should be sent
to the Academy, so | worked hard upon
it, seeing the child whenever l could.
| 1t seemed little strange to me, that
the only sign of life should see about
| the house was the child at the window,
and that she should SO often be there,
evidently watching.
| One day, having to give my lesson
earlier than usual, found that she was
still at the window when l went home.
so / quietly altered my hours that
might see her twice day instead of
| once.
had come to have quite feeling of
| mystery about my child-love, that
would not break in any way, by asking
her name or anything about her. All
| knew | wanted to come to me through
her, and | knew no one in the town to
whom l would care to mention such
pleasant, foolish little affection.
had no kith or kin in the world
| near enough to care for me, and had
grown up among grown people, without
the sweet influences of childish voices
and baby touches, so that | missed them
out Of my life. The more that nv art
lite grew upon me, the more | wanted
children about me, and filed my sketch
books with them. This little one had
look that reminded me Of my only sis.
ter, who had died just when she was
leaving her childhood behind her, and
who now seemed to live again.
Once or twice, passing the house ear
lier than usual, l found my little friend
outside, and slipping her tiny hand in
mine, she would walk along by nv side
little way, then turn back. She was
IS content to ask no questions as l was,
and so our friendship progressed. Some
times in passing put little bunch of
flowers on the window for her; some
times she would slip clover blossom or
a daisy in my hand. Our advances on
each side were coy and reserved, for she
never spoke, and when 1 spoke to her
she answered with little nod.
One day she had placed in the win
dow-panes her letter cards, with pictures
on them, three or four in each pane. as
high as she could reach. As / passed.
there was the dear little face as usual
peeplng through the flowers, and she
pointed to the cards in a grave, amused
way that was irresistibly entertaining.
That night | drew little picture for
her, and put it on the window the next
day.
My painting was almost done, and il
was hard to tell which of the two 7
loved the best, the child or the picture.
when | was taken sick, and had to stav
in my bed for three or four DAYS.
:. Ny thoughts dwelt particularly on the
LIT Il
more. My landlady was very kind and
attentive to me, but it was the kindness
OF charity, not of love, and | felt very
lonely. | wanted my little friend, and
fancied that if her soft fingers could
touch my hot, aching head, it would
cure me.
At last, as | lay alone the fourth
night, IN the early twilight, my door
partially open, SO that my landlady
could hear me if called, was startled
at seeing little white figure come
softly into my room, and up to the side
Of my bed.
l looked in surprise for a few mo-
ments, then recognized my little friend.
" Why, my darlingln l said to her. in
low voice, lest my landlady should
think l called, and come in and inter.
rupt US. Did you know how much |
wanted you that you came to me? Bless
your dear heart for the thought p
She climbed on the bed, and slipped
her soft little hand in mine, as she was
wont to do. She did not speak, but l |
thought nothing of that 1 watched
her silently, presently noticing that she
had on night-dress. did not speak
OF 1t, for her dear fingers were stroking
my hair, and there was falling over me
a delicious sleep, the first that had
touched my eyelids since l had been
sick, and l could not bear to break it.
SO just watched her clear eyes which
were looking down at Inc, and let the
rest overpower my senses.
When l awoke it was far on in the
night, and the moon was shining
brightly in my room. AS l lay watch
ing It, | felt the same quiet that the
little ones presence had given me-, and
soon turned over and fell asleep.
When | again awoke it was broad
daylight, and my landlady was standing
by the bed with my break fast-tray.
" You have had good long Sleep"
she said, and look almost well again.
"Yes," l answered, ''my little friend
put me to sleep soon after she came in.
When did she go?"
" Who go?' she asked in astonish-
ment.
"The little child that came to see me
last night"
:" Lawl no one came to see you last
night; you were feverish, and out of
your head. But it is cooler now" and
she laid her hand on my forehead. l
shrank back as the fingers came down
SO heavily, and unlike the gentle
touches that had last been there.
| made no answer to her assertion that
no one had come in, but when she had
arranged my breakfast for me, and left
the room, began to wonder which was
right. The more l wondered, the more
uneasy grew. 1t had not seemed
strange to me, the night before, that,
wanting the child so much, she should
come to me; but now in the daylight it
began to look rather singular that she
should have come at all, not knowing
who was, or where | lived, and particu-
larly that should come so late in the
evening, and in her night-dress.
With thinking of it, grew so anxious
that as the time came around at which /