The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1875-11-02
Selert Story.
THE TIMELY WARNING.
BY MARY G. HALPINE.

Good night, papa" said sweet,
childish voice.
l looked down in surprise upon the
little girl that was standing beside my
friends knee for though this was our
first meeting after separation of some
years, had supposed him childless.
She had entered the room 80 noise
lessly that, until she spoke, neither Of
US had been conscious Of her presence.
"Good night, my daughter" said my
thost, a smile Of Infinite tenderness soft
ening his rather stern features, and hold
ing out his arms as he spoke.
The child sprang quickly to the shell
ter of that broad breast, laying her. soft
cheek lovingly against his.
As he held her thus, stroking as ten.
Ederly as mother might the shining hair
that mingled with his own jetty locks, l
thought that had never seen prettier
picture
She was in form so petite, with fea-
lures almost infantile in their delicacy Of
outline, he so strong and stately, her
l'complexion was exquisitely fair, and her
eyes of the softest blue. while his were
dark and piercing, and his face bronzed
by exposure to the sun and incidents OF
his adventurous life.
A matronly-looking woman opened
the door, pausing upon the threshold as
If reluctant to disturb them. =.
As soon as my friend observed her he
arose, and, blessing the child with so.
lemnity an6 tenderness had never wit,
messed in him before, dismissed her.
,"Not your own daughter!" l said, as
soon as we we're left alone.
"No; but I could not love her better
il she was. She is the most precious of
all my earthly possessions, as well she
might be. My darling little Kathie
She saved my life!"
"What that slender, delicate child ?"
eyes; and when she was smaller and
younger than she is now"
81 will tell you how it was" added my
friend, replying more to the eager in
Equiry in my eyes, rather than to any
thing l had said. at is not long sto.
Iry."
And pushing toward me cut glass
dish, of some quaint and curious pat
tern, filed with heavy clusters of grapes,
my host settled himself back in his easy
chair, and commenced as follows:
"About two years ago important bu-
siness called me to A., in the western
part of Canada. Partly because I was
more accustomed to that kind.of loco.
motion, and partly because public con
Fveyances in that section of the country
were slow and uncertain, / started on
horseback. '-s s--.' -4i''- :
81 had been about fortnight on my
way, and was beginning to congratulate
myself that must be near the termina
ton of my journey.
at was near suudowu, and the sky
began to look as il storm vas brewing.
l had ridden many hours through rude,
thinly settled country, and began to look
about for some human habitation. 1t
was therefore with feeling OF relief that
l saw few rods ahead of me, what
seemed to be public house. 1t was so
long since had seen one that, in spite
of its dark, dreary appearance, it had q
pleasant look to me.
"There were neither trees nor any sign
Of vegetation around the house, in front
of which crazy looking sign was creak-
ing in the wind that was rising, and up
ON which could be seen few letters OF
what was evidently once-'Entertain-
ment for Man and Beast now nearly
effaced by exposure to the weather.
"As' rode to the door, | saw stout,
middle-aged man sitting upon the rude
porch, cleaning a gun. sc q.
"sGood evening FRIEND I said. 'Can
you tell me how far it is to the village ol
A-?'
2"The man gave me a quick, compre
hensive glance, and then dropped bis
eyes. s. -
"'It's matter Of eight miles, he re
piled, Just beyond Black Forest, the
edge of which you can see from here
You had better not attempt it tonight,
he added, as he saw i was hesita.ine
whether to stop or push ahead, now tina,
/ was so near my journeys end. There
| is a storm coming up; besides good
many travellers have been robbed ir
Black Forest lately .,*
"sI believe l won't risk it, then,'
said; 'for have that about me which
should not care to LOSE i'- '."ti. -
/ 81 recalled, afterward, the sudder
Frightening Of the landlords eyes as
Isaid this, but it was so brief that it made
little impression on me at the time. oaa.
'sRemarking that his hostler had gon'
away on an errand, he took charge o
'lmy horse, and taking my saddle-bags il
lmy hand / entered the house. esfl.eF
| 'It consisted of large hall, with
lgood sized room on either side A.
lsoon as j stepped in my attention wa
arrested by little girl, in spite of he1
neglected appearance, one of the mos
perfectly lovely little creatures that / eve
saw.
\ 81 learned afterward that she wa
NEARLY nine, but so small and delicat
was she that she looked full three year
younger.
!. "In one of the rooms was a large
coarse featured woman, with peculiarl
) disagreeable expression of countenance
engaged in some domestic duties; tn
other was vacant, and entering it tool
a seat upon settee. :.
, "The little girl cameiand stood by th
open door, fixing her large, earnest eye
upon me with mournful intentness {
expression that never saw in any chill
before or since. -
81 smiled and held out my hand t
her. To my surprise she came directl
to me. i's# '4t
"Touched by this expression of conf
dence in an entire stranger, no less tha
by her exceeding beauty, took her VI
: On my lap. &
"'You are not my papa she said, #
garding me with the same wistful lool
but you look like him.
"Where is your papaT I inquire
more for the sake Of talking than becau'
l cared to know.
"The child shuddered and turne
0 pale.
: "Just then the landlord entered.
e frowned as his eyes fell upon the chill