The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1875-12-25

with silyer-that faded picture which her own
trembling hands had so fondly drawn--the
picture Of future limned in tender, glowing
tints, which was never to be realized-how |,
revived, and came back before her afresh,
though the dust had lain on il for more than
twenty years Twenty years ago-ah, the
dreary agony Of that echo-knell, 'Might have
been r.
Miss Hester raised herself from her crouch.
ing attitude, and looked around her neat,
cosy sitting.room. How surprised her chari-
table neighbors would have been to recognize
in that sorrowful, patient, fearful woman,
shrewd, practical, selfconceited Hester Lloyd
"Yes, comfortable home,m she said,
quietly and gratefully-"a peaceful, comfort.
able home. Heaven forgive ine for my hard
heart-poor Margaret never had comforta-
BILE home. My own sorrows ought to have
made newell, well, | will try to make
amends--yes, will try to make amends to
her child,'' she repeated sadly.
She looked over the details Of her little
round teatable. No, Patience had forgotten
nothing, and had even put chair with a
large cushion on it at the other side.
81 do believe that foolish creature is quite
glad of the child's coming to us" said Miss
Hester, smiling to herself; ''and had better
put on a clean collar The child will think |
look so sober in this gray gown"
Miss Hester put on her best lace collar and
large gold brooch, trying to persuade herself
all the while that it was not solely and entire.
ly from a newborn desire, yearning, half.
formed wish that her little niece should regard
her fayoraby and learn to love her.
1t wanted but ten minutes to seven when
she re entered the parlor, tying the ribbons
of her new striped silk apron, and sat down
to wait again. But it was not for long |
Hark Was not that the sharp click of the
garden gate? Miss Hester started to her feet,
vexed to feel how huttered and eager she was,
holding her breath to listen.
Patience's knock Miss Hester hurried to
open the door, and then drew back into the
sitting.room, while Patience came forward,
leading little figure all mufled in black
There's your aunt, my DEAR" she said,
STOPPING down to unite some of the child S
wrappers, and after some speedy witches and
secretly y'encouraging pats, there stood revealed
a slight, fairy.like shape, long, waving tresses
ofpale yellow hair, and very small, pale,
shadowy, fairy-like face, little black frock,
tucked with Grape, and two tiny hands, blue
with cold.
The large timid eyes were resting on Miss
Hester's face with an anxious light in them,
and the small pink lips were compressed and
quivering.
For an instant Miss Hester stood regarding
her little orphan niece-for an instant strug.
gled to effect compromise between her dig.
nifty, as a maiden aunt and the up.springing
gush of yearning kindness toward the lonely
little girl--and then she clasped the frail
figure in her arms, and kissed the little white
cold face.
Poor child l--poor child Come to the
fire, my dear"
And she lifted her into the soft depths Of
the warm armchair, and placed her own
footstool beneath the cold, shiny little boots.
The child had not spoken yet, but with an
fashioned usefulness sat with her hands
resting on her small knees, watching her aunt
teadhstly.
| There was strong likeness to her dead
mother in her low, wide forehead, the con.
tour of her cheek and dimpled chin, but it
was colorless, shadowy likeness, wanting all
pretty Margaret's charms of vivacity, bloom,
and brightness.
What is your name, my dear?' asked
Miss Hester.
The little woman in the big arm chair sat
up, shook back her long hair, folded her tiny
hands demurely, and said, in clear distinct
voice, quite surprising for such a small, frail.
looking creature:
Liias Grahame; but nurse and poor
mamma and poor uncle John Vernon she
explained, with wave of her hand and q
deep sigh, "called me Lille"
:" You are very like your mother, Lillie,' -
said Miss Hester, and then left the room.
Patience, laden with a humming tea.urn, a
bright teapot and pile of tempting, rich
brown tea-cakes, found the little woman
kneeling on the rug, stroking the cat, and
Miss Hester, re-entering the room rather
quickly, perceived that Patience was down on
herknees likewise, drawing off the cold, shiny
little boots, and adjuring "Miss Lille not to
scorch her face before the fire. The idea OF
Patience going down on her knees to take Of
anyone's boots
Tea ready, Patience p said Miss Hester.
"Yes, ma'am," replied Patience, stealthiy
rubbing Miss Lilies feet with her hands to
warm them.
please, aunt, should like to brush my
hair before tea," said Lille, "and put on my
pinafore might spoil my best black frock,
you know" she added, with an air of pruden
foresight.
Miss Hester could not help smiling, and
Patience muttered something like "Bless the
dear p though she coughed loudly the min
ute AFTER
THAT is quite right, Lille; am glad 4
find you are careful" said Miss Hester, ap
provingly, as she led her little niece up stairs
"Do you like your little room, Lillieg' sh,
inquired, presently, waiting eagerly to heal
the child's reply.
"oh, yes" she cried, and glad, childisl
smile lit up her face. "What nice looking
glass Mamma used to have ribbons ant
lace on her looking-glass. And the roses
oh, these are lovely roses.'
Poor Miss Hester She hardly knew her
self in the newtide of pleasant emotions whicl
was surging through her lonely heart, as sh
watched the elf.like little creature in the bacl
frock fitting about-now unlocking her trunk
and taking out her clean pinafore with woman
ly It'd ness, now deftly brushing her long silkel
hair and securing it back with her circula
comb, aud then, after a struggle, in whic
futtering tapes evaded short arms, comm
over to Miss Hester, and in clear, self-pos
sessed voice, saying;
"Will you please tie my pinafore, suntie
Ny arms are too short, think, ,"--this las
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