The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1873-10-11
UNA.

I hl Lll' iINJ UNI III NY NV lINhl NNN II
teen years and quarter was alone in the
wide wide world to be precise, in that Bit
of it which lies between the Buddingtor
station and Bath. | had all but missed the
train, SO that my uncle had only time to hurry
me into a tirstCiass carriage, wherein a soil
tary lady was already seated, and to give mt
"a solemn injunction to get Aunt Margery &c
telegraph when | turned up all right be
tore the tram dashed away,
All right" Or course | should be all
right! | should think, at seventeen and
nearly n quarter | might be trusted to take
care OF myself during three hours jorncy;
the more so rs my uncle had pat me in at
ono end, and my aunt would take me out
1t the other"
As soon as had arranged myself and my
belongings comfortably in my corner | took
4 survey of my fellow PASSENGER grim iron
gray old woman in an cXaspcraung bonnet
who was looking not daggers-that is much
TOO pointed and brilliant = smile-but rusty
nails OF the jaggedest description, at my poor
little hat; such an attractive one as it was,
TOO, with the most piquant little waX-wing
imaginable brOodlnc over itwith outstretChed
wings. For my part, think, when one has
= pretty face, it is wicked to spoil it by a
dowdy hat | should have attracted much
more attention if had worn an cXaspcratng
rytinguisher like my fellow travellers, with
IN aggravatlng bow at the top: and, besides,
Tom would not have liked it.
was rapidly losing my tcmpcr-lt was
too provoking. Here was somebody eyi-
IDENTIFY just as ready to find fault and take
care Of me as any body at home. My only
comfort was a hope that she might get out al
the next station, or at all events at some dis
lance from Bath. Ali, how little | knew
what WAS coming, or should have felt glad
TO have had her glaring twice Il, grimy from
the opposite seat!
Travelling alone'"
Yes"
What an unnecessary question, thought
"You are much too young and too pretty 10
be permitted to do so"
Mcclly answered that my youth and
prc,tincss were faults" over which had no
control and limited at the possibility that time
might be expected To cure both, if only |
lived long enough
She -milcd-ycs really, not bad smile,
either
"WLilc waiting for that, you should have
somebody 10 take care of YOU
Take care Of mcw | exclaimed, with u
little shuddcr Of disgust II am quite able
70 take care Of mvSci-indcCd, | am tired of
being taken care Of am almost worn out
Besides have been AT two garden parties,
and have long left the school room" with
dignity.
My dear, the school room would be the
best place for you for the next half dozen
wears | must leave you at the next station
but will tell the guard TO look after you
You will learn in time how good thing il
B., 20 be cared for Una without her lion
would never get safely through this world
The train stopped; | helped her to gather
al her bags and rugs.
Good by, my dear; your little face ha
inside the day look brighter to I'M old woman
20 you have my leave 10 keep it unchanged
as long rs you can" and she actually patteC
my check with a kind old hand aS she passet
out
watched her take her place in littlC
basket carriage that was waiting for her
watched the old bald headed man servant
stand hat in hand, evidently giving her all the
stony of life at home in her abscncc-and felt
sorry as [ returned her good.by nod, when
The carriage moved out of sight down a shady
country road. followed her in fancy To a