Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1873-02-20
+, OF go for an hour to Mrs. Abbott's

.
room.
Yet hardly realizing it himself, the
boarder, Carroll Phelps, grew to watch
ing somewhat eagerly for the slight
graceful figure to cross the garden
Where she slept, and where she ate,
he could not guess, but he knew she
was Aunt Fanny's niece, and charm
ing addition to the quiet evening cir
Gle. He admired blonde hair, so he
was free to approve of the short golden
curls that crowned Metals head; blue
eyes were his favorites, and here were
twin violets; the fresh, fair complexion,
the pretty mouth, the graceful figure,
were all beauties in his eyes; even the
cheap prints became pretty when Meta
wore them. He was wealthy, fastidi-
ous and refined, yet he found nothing
in this gentle, modest girl to jar upon
any of his sensitive prejudices. =
Mrs Abbot learned to love her too,
coaxing her often, to come to'her room
and talk, and wonder little what was
the absorbing work that keep her away
all day
And Meta found herself looking for
ward to evening, as she had never be
fore watched for expected pleasure.
Her time was always so fully occupied
that she had seen but little society and,
she enjoyed keenly this association
with the cultivated intellects Of Mr..
Phelps and his sister.
They lent her books too, and books
were luxuries she could seldom COM
mand y;
July was nearly gone, when one
morning after their early breakfast
Meta and Lizzie went to the. woods
with luncheon and sewing, leaving Aunt
Fanny to prepare the latter repast for
the boarders. 1t was quiet secluded
spot where this pair had spent every
pleasant day, and Meta started with
surprise when Carroll Phelps sauntered
lesurely toward her, as he approached.
He apologized for his intrusion, ex-
planning his presence by the statement
that he often took morning rambles be-
fore his sister was awake.
"She sleeps 50 little" he said, sigh
ing; zone of her worst symptoms is
want of sleep. Good morning, little
one, he added, tossing Lizzie into the
air. e.,
''Dood-moning. ;. Put me down,
peas said the child.
: Don't you like to be jumped that
way?"
"No," said the child very emphatic
ally; ''Mother Bunch don't like that"
To Meta's surprise the strong man
staggered and grasped tree for sup
port, while his face grew deadly white.
"You are i'll, she said, alarmed
''No; the Chi d the child! What
did she call herself?"
Mother Bunch She is not ours,
Meta faltered, a presentiment of the
truth coming over her.
"Not yours p the man fairly shouted.
''Tell me where you found her, quick! y
Metals story was soon told. Before it
was finished there were tears in Cra-
roll Phelps eyes, and as she concluded,
he cried:
''Mother Bunch!-little Mother
Bunch don't you know Uncle CARR
The child looked up with wondering
yes, then came timidly forward, and
litter moment said, Mammal
eyes, darling, mamma is here Miss
Meta, help me to break it to her. Oh,
what a fool l ami l have told you
nothing. It was after my brother-in
law died. and while my poor sister was
lying very i'll, that the, child was lost.
The nurse took her out, and left her
alone beside a store window. When
she returned Nellie was gone We ad
vertised, and put the police to work
but what you have told me convinces
me that the poor little one was stolen
away for her clothing and little gold
and then brought here and
deserted. She wore valuable furs and
lace, for she was the only one, and my
S ster was proud of her beauty. Some
wretch cut either eul,ls, taken her
and left her on the roadside,
miles from the city, to die
''But are you sure this'is the child q
''Her father and | called her .Mother
Bunch in sport,till the playful title took
the place of her own name. But we
will try further proof" !
As he spoke he took from his pock-
ct gold watch. and sitting on the
grass, showed it to the child
'sNow," he said, eff she asks to see
the reflection in her own old words, |
shall feel sure
He trembled like a leaf as Mother
Bunch gravely examined the watch
She held it thoughtfully, as if memory
was busy, till suddenly she cried
"Open pretty baby!"
The spring was touched, the refec-
ton showed her, and then she said:
'sMother Bunch is a pretty baby"
smiling and nodding at the reflection,
in pretty imitationsof womanly vanity.
Meta had only to look in her com
panion's face to know she had lost her
little charge.
81 am very glad for your sister," she
said
'sGlad," he answered. cit will give
her life. She was dying of sorrow, for
she had not been a widow for a week
when the child was lost.
81 will stay here while you break
the news, said Meta, ''for she must be
gradually. | will come to
the house in an hour or two, and bring
her baby to her. Give me that time
to give her up she said, while the
tears filled her eyes. "Ilove her dearly"
"Why should you give her up?"
Carroll said impettously, and then fol
lowed earnest words. that told the hope