Middletown transcript., 1876-12-23

uduuo VI us WtuOwS Oouuu0os' 81 Is
doring dotage. that she would dea
righteously with his daughter. But
instead Of repairing the omissions of be
late husband, Mrs. Emlyn. after so
journ in Grape and seclusion as brief a
decency would allow. left the child
Reinette. at home in charge of an ole
servant. and spent her time ard money
in the city in search of worthy sue
cessor to Mr. Emlyn Failing which
in spite of charms which her forty odd
: years did not disparage. with manners
capable Of deluding the very elect. shs
finally returned. with her finances much
the worse for bad management and ex-
travagance. and Set about economizing
The first act in the new drama was the
dismissal of the ancient servant who had
taken care of Reinette during Mrs
Emlyn's absence. and who, being now
past service, was obliged to seek home
in the almshouse Reinette shed bitter
tears at what seemed to her her first mis-
fortune. and it was old Nancy who had
left special request that Rsinstte
should sing at her funeral.
''For then the angels will be there to
listen," she had prophesied.
"If you would only come of Sabbath
days sometimes and sing to u.s." ceaxed
one old crone after another, clinging to
| her skirts.
"You are coming to sing here allus,
aiu't ye 2" asked the little pale children,
crowding about her and touching the
fringes Of her gown with curious fingers
Il likes singing. I sings myself to
sleep dark nights." whispered small
hunchback, "but it don't sound like
yourn do"
Reinette had gone to the almshouse
believing herself the most unhappy and
desolate being in the world-bitter
against her step-mother for urging the
rector upon her; bitter against the rec
tor for caring for her and putting a
stumbling block in her way; most Bit
ter against Mr.. Theodore, because we
are most bitter against those we love
most if they seem to underestimate our
deserts. But here was little commu-
nifty to which she could give pleasure
she. who had never seemed to please
anybody but the old rector. What
legacy old Nancy had left them.
One morning Mr. Theodore overlook
her returning from her matinee. Rein
ette fancied that be had avoided her of
late, and was disposed to treat him with
grand Indifference.
II hope you are quite we'll. Mr..
Theodore" she said, condescendingly,
dashing the tears from her eyes, which
a cali at the afmshousc always encoar-
aged.
"Quite. But has the world used
you roughly to-day ?"
The world uses US according to our
deserts. l fancy"
"Miss Reinette turned philosopher,
forsooth! Then philosophy ought to
dry your tears"
They are so wretched at the aims
house!" she explained. "They we're
even glad to hear me sing"
who wouldn't be p
why. you never listen. You always I
turn youf back and look out the win t
dow. or talk with step.mother; you i
never seem to care "
II never seem to care !" be repeated
81 never seem to care !"
"Not that there is any reason why /
you should listen-not that 1t signifies, r
she said, impatiently. Q
mo. Of course it does not signify" a
Il don't mean to say anything rude. I
mo, only you would like me to lis b
ten. though it doesn't signify Women 4
IRE odd fishes surely. Now it seems to .
me that if it didn't signify. l shouldn't t
care rush though you clapped your Q
hands over your ears when l sang" il
Reinette looked at him bewildered Il
Il wish you would not compare US to '
ishes.' she said !; "they are such slip t
'ery creatures. It's hardly polite, you L
Know" b
Il beg pardon The resemblance
'nly lies in the fact that we have to b
ngle for both " te
In the long summer evenings. while q
he air was sweet with the odor Of dewy
nignonetre and roses, and the constei- l
atoms palpitated across violet heaven, 81
seinette used to sit on the old worm al
aten balcony and heed the holiday life
+ the neiehboring mansion. where Mr.. Il
theodore and his summer guests made l
Merry. Sometimes across the dropped
urtain pair of shadows loitered BY N
rm in arm; sometimes rare profile
i up the canvas for an iostant-Mr ki
'heodore's profile, with the triste nous.
ache; sometimes she watched them pl
ass, two and two. in each others arms, +"
} the dreamy allurement of the waltz ali
nat foated out and filled the summer sa
light with infinite suggestions and long
,g i; sometimes she listened to rich fa
oice singing. sa
"If your love should ever fail, WI
your heart should pass me by,
Tell me what else could avail ",
This poor heart to satisfy"
One night when she bad gone to her tr,
lllow early. but could not sleep for the
'und Of "Aute, violin, bassoon," from se
er neighbours grounds. which pictured a
lvid scenes to her minds eye. she rose sh
I'd sat down by her open window to les
atch the stars and soothe herself with bo
'eir majestic calm. 1t was late, and th,
e moon had dropped behind the hills, th,
I'd the last echo of music was faint in for
e distance. when the rusty gate be- col
Ieen Mr.. Theodore's domains aud the gr,
mlyn grounds clicked. and leaning 20,
It. she dimly guessed at two figures del
at passed through and in among the wh
rubbery slowly. as if the night we're SUI
ade for lettering lovers-the figures the
Mrs. Emlyn and Mr.. Theodore him thr
If. She had left Mrs. Emlyn dis pei
veled and yawning over her accounts the
low. with apparently no more idea Of wit