The Weston Democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1875-current, 1876-01-24

up 10 ncr. must go DICE 10 tnc parlOr
now."
She was sweeping out again, her satin
robes rustling after; but Louise sprang
up, with piteous cry.
ooh, ma'aml little brothers 80 i'll,
and must hnve his medicine; please let
mo have the money!"
"I can't to.night-I'm entirely ont OF
change. You can call tho day after to-
morrow"
But Louise was not to bo repulsed.
She caught the lady's hand in both OF
her little, frozen palms. One Of the
rings that adorned Mrs. Ravdon's soft
fingers would have procured all the
comforts her mother and little Willie 80
sorely needed. Somo such thought
flashed through the child's mind rs she
made the appeal.
"0h, madam" she said, her blue eyes
full OF imploring treaty, "you are rich
and happy, and have all you want but
my poor mother has nothing, and my
little brother will die without medicine !
Do let me have the money!"
Mrs. Rawdon shook her head impa-
tiently.
"I tell you I've no change. You must
call again. John, show her to the door!"
Tho footman obcyed, and Louise soon
found herself upon tho marble steps,
while the lofty door closed in her very
face with q heartless slam.
The wind howled more dismally than
ever, and the keen, singing sleet fell
like n shower OF shot. Louise descended
tho steps and crossed over TO the op-
posite pavementwith dull, aching pain
Mt her heart, that almost took away her
breath. How could she go back to her
desolate home and tell her poor mother
that she had failed to collect her hard
earned wages; tell her that they were
not able to buy even 80 much MS soli-
tary loafl
Just then something beneath her foot,
soft and slippery, almost threw her to
the pavement. Looking down, she saw
a pockctbook. She caught it up with
suppressed cry, and, thrusting it into
her bosom, darted of at the speed of an
antelope. At last, ont OF breath and
half beside herself with excitement, she
paused beneath lamppost, and after
glancing stealthily around her, drew tho
treasure from her bosom. It was large,
thick and heavy. Her fingers trembled
rs she unclasped it; and when she
caught sight Of the bank-notes it con-
tained, she uttered wild cry Of delight,
and darted off again like something i'll
sane. Mother and Willie should have
all they needed now!
Just beyond the bakers shop, to.
wards which she bent her steps, sol
dier met her.
"Little girl" he said, Arresting her
flying steps, "did You find n pocket
book as you came along
Louise paused single instant, her
heart futtering like frightened bird;
then, as a thought of her mother and
Willie flashed through her mind she an-
swered: "No, sir.
"Well, it is gone, suppose" and
the soldier passed on, while Louise hur-
ricd away in the opposite direction.
BY the time she reached the bakers
sho was in tremor from head to foot,
aud her checks seemed on fire; but she
drew tho pockCtboob from its hiding
place, and standing outside the door un-
rlasped it and took ont note. Tho
shop was crowded with customers, and
she had to wait for her turn before she
could obtain what she wanted. Her eyes
wandered wistfuly round the tempting
shelves. She would buy ever SO many
loaves, and even that frosted cake.
They would have Goals and meat, too.
Why not The pocketbook was hers;
she had found it. Still her hands trem.
blcd, aud her cheeks burned.
She glanced down at the note she
held, and saw, with start Or. horror,
that it was for fifty dollars. What had
sho donel Robbed that man Of his
money, and hc n soldier. Her father
had been q soldier With sharp cry,
clutching the pockCtbook in one hand
and tho bill in the other, she darted
from the shop and down tho snowy
street.
Just square or two beyond the gilt,
tering mansion Of Mrs. Rawtlon she
overlook the soldier. He was walking
slowly, glancing from ono side OF the
icy pavement to the other with m an1
ious, despairiug look on his face.
Louise was at his side in MI instant
"Oh, sir" painting for breath, her
hood thrown back, her blue eyes wild
and startled, and her bright hair blown
all about her flushed face, al did find
your pocketbook-hCrc it is. l took
this note out, but l couldn't spend it.
Mothers almost starved, and little Willie
will die without his medicine; but
can't steal-I can't TAX, it back"
The soldier took the money from the
half-trozen little hands that held it up
to him; then lifting the child in his
arms, ho smoothed back her tangled
locks, and looked down into her pAlc,
tcar-stained little face with eager, star
tied eyes. His swnrthy cheek grew
pale and his bearded lips began to
tremble.
"Louise, Louise - he said, his voice
full OF thrilling tenderness; "poor lit
tic darling, don't you know MOI"
The child looked up, and then her
cry of wild delight rang out clear and
joyous.
"oh, papa, papa we thought You
were dead! but you've come back to us
again." .
Yes, darling!" his broad chest
heaving with suppressed eagerness.
Where's your motherl Take me to
her !"
Louise sprang from his arms, and
shot of like an arrow down the brilliant
street, through tho sQualid alleys, and
narrow by.lanes; and the soldier fol
lowed her.
Mrs. Halpine sat in her comfortless