The tribune. [volume] (Beaufort, S.C.) 1874-1876, 1876-03-08

| az the hpparltlon Will StupOr reSem-
bling that of sleep walker.
The stranger returned the gaze not at
all, but walked into the room quickly,
scanned it briefly and studiously in every
part with q manner much like a petted
bird. Her costume added to this
sprightly, pert, bird-like effect. She
wore walking dress of dark blue velvet,
fitting her petite figure with nice exact
ness; cashmere shawl dropped from
her shoulders 80 low that its point trailed
on the floor a velvet hatset with narrow
feathers crested her small head. Her
black hair shone in glossy waves. her
quick black eyes sparkled like polished
jet; diamonds glittered at her ears.
| She granted Fidelia several moments
to recover from surprise. Then she
spoke to her in familiar way, as if she
had known her all her life. "Sit down
by my side," she said, drawing her to
the foot of the pallet, and taking a chair
very near. "Sit down here and tell me
why you were crying"
| "Because my heart is broken" said
the girl.
"That I am glad to hear" returned
the little lady, briskly. "We are not
so bad off as we feared. When these
things are much broken there is no cry.
My dear, I think I can mend your
heart"
"You said you were friend of my
mother, " Fidelia murmured, gazing with
childlike wonder at her guest, and actu-
| ally smiling through her tears.
"That you may have confidence, let
me tell you of myself. was a school
friend Of your mother in Paris. My
name is Nannette Ricard. am widow
UCIf nj,
no resting place. am q traveller; I 90
around the world. By accident I paused
at this town to stop overnight at the
hotel Two Isles There the rumor of
the birthday fete encountered me. I
made inquiries. I learned that the hus.
band of my dear school friend whose
death mourned had married again, and
had chosen for his second wife q widow
with two children, the elder being the
h. roine of to nights fete. Where is
Fidelia, asked, 'the charming little
daughter of the Kirgslands, the inter
esting child of whom early letters of my
friend gave me suoh agreeable advice?'
She has grown to be a woman they
answered, 'and she is kept a captive in
her own house. 4 must see, T cried.
this captive at once.'
"I came, and availed myself of doors
opened to guests. From the dressing
room found my way with difficulty. It
was child-a visitor, I imagine-who
conducted me mp stairs to the last flight.
Shining of light through the crevice of
your door guided me the rest. Now,
my child, speak to me freely as to your
own heart. There is nothing so consol-
ing as friend. Tell me why you suf-
fer and what you wish"
"I suffer-" said Fidelia, without the
slightest reserve or distrust, "because
I am o motherless girl. No one loves
me. have no right-indeed, 1 often
feel soto be in the world. And wish
it is easier to say why I suffer than
what wish-I wish to be happy and to
be loved"
The bright little lady listened atten
lively to this speech. She sighed once
or twice, but at the last seized Fidclia's
hand warmly, and with bright smile
said:
"My dear, you shall have your wish.
Do not fall into despair; keep your faith
in life. shall help you; I know how.
Tomorrow continue my journey, but
any day after fortnight you may look
for my return. Then shall send for you
to visit me. Keep courage: sunny days
oohio w al, Guoy WILL COmo TO you. AND
now Kiss me, If you like, ny child, and
goodnight"
Fidelia bent down from her oueenly
height to kiss lovingly the strange little
lady whom an hour ago she had not
known to bear an existence in the world.
She lighted her guest along the pas
sage; blazing luster below showed plain
ly enough the descent. Then she re-
turned to her own room, and having un-
dressed and said her prayers with
comforted heart, lay down in her bed.
and the dance music lulled her to sleep.
When at dawn she awCke, her expert
ence of the evening seemed like dream.
Nor could she by such inquiries as she
ventured to make learn anything OF her
guest. A fortnight passed; three weeks:
month. On the last day of the month
she received note:
"MY DEAR CHLD.-Come and spend the dav
and night with me at the hotel, Two Isles.
have obtained your fathers permission To
extend to you this request.
"Your mothers friend,
"NANNETTE RIcARD."
On no more unpropitious day could
Che note have been sent. AS if fate had
decreed that Madame Ricard should y;s;t
this special town only on it's days of un.
usual excitement, there was this time a
grand ball to be given in honor of a
distinguished citizen; and not merely
WAS the whole place in ferment, but
each houee had its share of excitement,
the Kingslands' not the least.
The citizen whom the ball honored
was a young soldier, Colonel Darrell,
whose habitual bravery had been made
famous by brilliant act of valor. The
war having ended, he was commissioned
to go abroad on an important diplomatic
service. He possessed the hearty ap-
probation of his townsmen; and though