Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1873-10-31
snu un. she was alone. Little

M, she was alone. Little
a..pusr nancy had glided out of the room.
..poor thingrf said Miss Delaney,
hr;rsinr s curl Of her golden hair into
view a. she surveyed herself in the mir
ror over the fireplace. "she never will
make her way in the world If she takes
things after that fashion" Then the ex-
preston Of her face changed, her eyes
dashed, as she said softly, but triumphant
.-.ly, "He asked me to call him Reginald,
and what did that mean but" She
closed her lips and hid her face in her
hands. When she looked up again she
was very pale. Il
know." she murmured; ''but oh, how
hard I will try to be worthy of his love"
And again she added, eff only that girl
had not come"
~ Nanny had gone to her room, and, after
free Indulgence in tears, felt better. Ev-
erybody was kind to her particularly
Madam Preston, who kissed and caressed
her, every time she came in her way,
: with, 81 was so fond of your mother. my
dearw She took a long walk by herself
q that day, saw the school committee men,
and made arrangements for entering upon
;. her work ON the following week. 1t was
late in the afternoon when she turned the
corner of old Christ Church, venerable
structure embosomed in oak trees and
ivy. - n = " II
~ should like to go in and try the or
gan. she thought. land l will. after din
ner."
h~ Mrs. Delaney was crossing the hall
when she entered the house.
1T don't like to see young girls running
shout alone" said this cautious matron to
her daughter, who, dressed for dinner,
was reading in the parlor.
:, ssBut mamma, who has she to go with
herr p Miss Delaney asked, raising her
eyes languidly from her book.
"Of course. responded mamma, ''but
then it's great pity and she ought to wait
TIL Mrs. Preston can accompany her."
''Or Mr.. Preston" lauged her daughter.
don't thinks look of alarm
came into the woman's face as she leaned
) Ecrwsrd-''It can't be possible that he is
Interested in her.
ss'.How can / tell, mamma? You know
how fond he is Of music. She plays adj
mirably; sings well, too, suspect. In
deed, / don't doubt that she possesses
every accomplishment, for according to
Madam Preston, her mother and father
B were both paragons, and she had been
educated between them"
Mrs. Delaney seemed perplexed. From
whist her daughter had said in the morn
ing, she had been quite prepared to look
upon Reginald Delaney as her future SON.
in-lsw. Had Reginald been in; had she
seen him lately, she asked.
''No. he said he should not be home till
evening; and there's dinner-I suppose it
must be eaten" and Miss Delaney threw
aside her book with an air of relief, and
adjusted her draperies.
= ITS almost as bad as being a doctor,
declare, said Mrs. Preston, as the meats
came on. particularly when there's tur-
key to carve and the man Of the house
gone. It seems to me Reginald is never at
homo at meal times, and with lame
arm. What shall do?'
Nanny looked up smilingly. "Will you
Let me carve ?" she asked. Papa taught
me-"
'.Let you, you dear child why, you're
a. good as gold to ask me" said Mrs.
Preston, while Miss Delaney looked at her
mother with glance that said as plainly
~ eyes could speak, 81 told you So"
Very deity the little hands held the
losg sharp knife, severing the delicately-
q tinted morsels with q precision and ele-
gance that was quite captivating.
II wonder what Reginald would say if
he saw thatP" laughed the mother. "He
has fancy that woman cannot carve.
II prefer to see such work in the hands
OF . gentleman, !" seid Mrs. Delaney.
''Oh. yes. but then it's we'll to know"
said Mrs. Preston, "and it is seldom even
. gentleman does his work so charming
". I am more than obliged to you my
little girl. 81 q
Nanny sat down with heightened color.
There was something in the atmosphere of
disagroeable-a strange GOODNESS: the
more she was with them the more they
annoyed her. She was glad to get away
from the table, and instead of going into
the parlOr with the rest, she slipped from
the room, donned had and shawl, and,
hurrying to the housekeeper's apartment.
feund one of the servants willing to show
her Tie ray into the church.
''It's only the little room behind the
choir" said Betty. as she turned the key
with her stubbed red fingers, land there
1t it," she added, as she left the vestibule.
The church was very old fashioned, hav-
ing deep galleries and faded maroon cur
gtaanf fronting the organ but Nanny had
never seen the interior.
els the church open Pr she asked of Bet
~. who WAS preparing to leave.
"Yes. Miss Better lock yourself in, if
you're are afraid to be alone. The door
there" pointing to side entrance, "leads
into the gallery" 81 aE
4, Nanny smiled at the idea of being afraid.
She locked the door, however, and sat
down TO the instrument. A small card
portrait attracted her attention as she
opened the organ it was apparently fas-
tenee on just above the makers name. She
looked closer. and, to her establishment,
saw that it was remarkable, beautifully
executed likeness OF her father, in mnia-
turs. Her heart beat fast at this evidence
Sgths rector's appreciation of and love to
one 90 dear TO her. Tears filed her ewes.
To meet him thus, and alone it was al
most Ike holding communion with his
spirit. 1t seemed as if he sat beside her,
Z end hallcwed the silence. With trembling,
almost with awe, she touched the organ.
Il vas her fathers favorite instrument
Never had he seemed SO happy as when