Weekly Trinity journal., 1876-06-17
THE TIME Y WARNING.

Tor 1 thought this was our first meeting,
after IL separation Of some years, had
supposed him to be chidless.
She had entered the room so noiseicss.
ly that, until she spoke, neither of us
had been conscious Other presence.
Good night, my daughter" said my
/ host, II smile of Infinite tenderness soft
ening his rather stern features, and hold
cut his arms as he spoke.
The chi id sprung quickly to the shell
ter Of that broad breast, laying her soft
check lovingly against his,
As he hel her thus, stroking tender
y, as mother might, the shining hair
that mingled with his own jetty locks,
! thought that hud never seen prettier
picture.
She was in form so petite, with features
almost infantle in her delcacy OF out
line, he SO strong and stately her COM
pleXion was eXqui>itely fmr, aud her eyes
OF the soltest hue, while his were bnck
and piercing, and his face bronzed by the
]
/ 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, lie
arose, and blessing the child with n So
lemrity and tenderness had never wit
messed in him before, dismissed her.
Not your own daughter ?' said, as
soon MS We were left alone.
"No; but | could not love her better
if she were. She is the most precious of
all my earthly possessions, as well she
might be. My darling Katie ! she saved
my life ~
What that slender, delicate child ?"
"Yes and when She was smaller aud
younger than she is now"
81 will tell you how it was" added my
friend, replying more to eager inquiries
in my eyes than to anything had said.
alt is not IA long story"
And pushing towards me cut glass
dish, o. some quaint and curious pattern,
| filled with heavy clusters of grapes, my
host settled himself back in his easy
chair and commenced MS follows:
About two years ago important bust
ness called me to A., in the western
part of Canada. Partly because was
more accustomed to that style OF locomo-
ton, and partly because public convey
nncrs in that section Of the country were
ow and uncertain, | started on horse
back.
! had been about fortnight on my
way, aud wn- hegiuuing To congratulate
myself that wus near the termination
of my journey.
1t wus near sundnwn, aud the sky be.
Gan Ia lock H. ita storm was brewing.
! had ridden many miles through II rude,
thmly .cttcd hnbialion. Ii wns there
fore, with feeling of relief that ! saw, n
lew rni- ahead al me, what seemed To be
n public house. ii was 50 long since |
had seen one. that in spite of its dark,
drrnry appearance, it had II 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 a few letters OF
what was evidently once" "Entertnin-
ment for Man and Bca,t,' now nearly
eflnced bv exposure to the weather.
As | rode to the door saw stout
middle nged man sitting on the rude
porch cleaning n gun.
Good evening, FRIEND" said. "Can
YOU tell me how far it is to the village OF
Al"
The man gave me n quick, comprchcn-
sve glance, and then dropped his eyes.
at is matter of eight miles" he re-
piled; Just bcyong the Black Forest,
the edge Of which you can see from here.
You had not better attempt it tonight" Z"
he added as he saw / was hesitating rs to
whether | had better stop or push ahead,
now lhat was so near my journeys end.
"There's storm coming up, besides "A
good many travellers have been robbed
in b acl; Forest lately"
81 believe l won't risk it them" /
sail "ior have that about me that |
wouldn't care to lose"
| recalled a1erward the sudden bright
ing of the lu dl dl1rd's eyes as | said Il is
but it was so brief that it made little i'm
preston on me at the time.
Remarkng that his hostler bad gone
away on an errand, he took charge Of my
horse, and taking my saddle bags in my
hand | entered the house.
1t consisted of a large hall, with good
room on either side. AS soon as step
ped in, my attention was arrested by "A
little girl, in spite Of her neglected ap
pearance, one of the most perfectly love
Is little creatures that ever saw.
learned afterwards that she was near
ly nine, but so small and delicate was she
that she looked ull three years younger.
In one of the rooms was large, coarse
featured woman, with peculiar dlsa-
/ greeable expression OF countenance, en-
gagged in some domestic duties F; he other
was vacant, and entering it, took
seat upon the settee.
The little girl came and stood by the
open door, fixing her large earnest eyes
upon me with II mournful intentness OF
expression that had never seen in any
child before.
/ smiled and held out my hand to her.
TO my surprise she came directly to me,
Touched by this expression OF confidence