Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1874-02-06

her oath.
Saying it and meaning it, laughed Au'
rora. There's my breakfast-bell. Come
back this evening. Will you p
Eyes marm,' she replied to Miss Aurora
('You bet your head, won l ~ she replied
to herself).
She came near losing her head, notwith-
standing it was thus staked, when Miss
Aurora threw an arm around her Shout
ers and walked with her to the breakfast
room.
oh, amt she 7 cried Mandy to herself,
as she seized her pitcher and flew like Mer-
curry across the alley. ooh my, my l. amt
she p
Who Miss Aurora was did not at once
transpire. The child saw her now only as
a lovely, pleasant-natured image, to be set
about with admiration marks. But with
some perception of sweeter uses in Miss
Aurora, she kept repeating, 'ain't she
My!'
] you've been time!' brwled Mrs Jinks
when the milking was safely in hands,
sand them men awaiting for their coffees!
When you git sent on an aren't again
said Mrs. links, with the air of one with
drawing choice blessings, you'll know
it !!
Accordingly. MANDY knew it. that eve
ming when she was sent with the milking
on return trip. She knew it. with keen
delight
Miss Aurora was fortunately alone, and
at her instrument. The eltin face had Slip
ped her memory till it peered this second
time round door at her. She recalled
her promise with a little gesture Of sur
prise. If Miss Aurora had been superior
I in morning dress, she was made transcend
emit to 'Mandy's eyes by the few careless
touches with which she had frightened
herself for evening.
Here we are!' cried Aurora gaily. Now
sit by me, and I'll sing for you before we
begin our lesson.
Mandy sqatted gingerly in great GRIM
son armchair. and watched her goddess
hands.
Miss Aurora struck some chords and
began to sing from sparkling little opera.
Her voice was contralto, rich and flexible.
She sung La Minola.' The spirit brought
MANDY to her feet. When Miss Aurora
finished, she took up the last few strains
with the abandon of gipsey, and dashed
them off in golden soprano which whirled
the young lady round to face her.
Child, did you ever sing?'
sOnly little-what hear 'em sing in
Churches. never tried it with piano.
Sing something for me-
Mandy stood up, crossing her hands be-
hind her, and sung The Heavens ara
Telling She mixed quaint words with
the original, and put in trills of her own.
But she sung with thrilling sweetness.
sit down here by me-, said Miss Aurora,
drawing her to the carpet. Did no one
ever tell you you have wonderful voice
But there-I won't spoil you. Remember,
while am talking, that many people have
ruined themselves in music by their self
conceit. But, my little girl, if you have
culture, see no reason why you may not,
become what God evidently meant you to
be. Would you like to earn your living by
music, maiden p
MANDY regarded Miss Aurora with a
fixed stare, as if that young lady had tan
talized her by inquiring whether she would
like to earn her living by going to Heaven.
Would you?' repeated Miss Aurora,
lifting piece of Mandy's tightly pig-tall-
ed hair.
sO-o-oh. breathed the girl in long
drawn bliss.
Rise up cried Aurora in sudden ener-
gy. 'I1l teach you all 1 know. at any
rate. Well begin this minute. If you're
born a musician, you've wings to carry you
over the drudgery!'
So, under Miss Aurora's excited hands,
her whole horizon bounded by black keys
and white keys, this child began to live
She learned with hungry zeal, and caught
the relations of chords by intuition.
They worked, both glowing-eyed, till
Aurora started back from her watch with
little scream. why, child, it's eleven
O'Clock =
MANDY lifted a CHASTITY stare. She
thought of Mrs. links and her powerful
hand Of the Jinks' stronghold, barred
and bolted, and grim at this hour of the
night.
Il have detained you too long, but will
sing one piece, then I'll call our man and
go down to your house with you. And
tomorrow III see the woman with whom
you live-Mrs. Jinks, is it ?-and get her
permission for you to come to me reg
ularly."
Said Mrs. links next day, after she had
stood bland and complaisant before the
young lady, and had whimpered agreement
to all the young lady's propositions, said
Mrs. links, turning round on Mandy as
soon as her intercessor disappeared
you want to set up for a fine lady, do you ?
Want to play the pyanner and git in with
them folks Look at your black hands
What can then do on the pyanner ?
You're pretty bird = howled Mrs. Jinks,
intending to be sarcastic. Yes, a pretty
bird you be, round hangin' on rich folks,
and begging them to teach you the py-
amer y
'Mandy's fexile mouth knit itself. But
having found the entrance to her palace
Beautiful, neither barking dogs nor raving
lions could turn her back.
Weeks slid into months. Frost and chill
came on the earth, and people changed
with seasons.
The child Mandy grew.
While her body served at the Jinks, she
herself lived beside, and took polish from
Miss Aurora. She was at that point in
girl life when rapid changes take place,
and she was being cast in a new mould
i ~. hon col