The Morning herald., 1877-11-03
afeer a number Of years had passed ava
he was given up for lost. .,.l., ..,,

AFTER a number Of years had passed away
he was given up for lost. .,l,i ..,
At the time he left home, was a child
not more than four years old, and could,
therefore, recall very little concerning him
except what subsequently, Learned from
my parents. Whether he and the child.
ren's father were identical or not, atpres-
ent could not certainly decide. At any
rate, felt deep interest in their welfare.
l was alone in the world, my parents hav-
ing been dead several years, and as my
annual income amounted to double the sum
l needed for myself, at once made up
my mind that I would, in some way pro-
vide for them.
NY resolution was confirmed, when, the
following day, l called to see Catharine. l
found that Mrs. Frost lived in an under
ground room, and kept boarders for aliveli-
hood. From morning tn night, with little
oi. ito intermission, tn. ..ili was employed
in tho performance Of tasks much too hard
for one Of her age. This. together with
her meagre fare, accounted for her pale and
sckly appearance. 'Hfi
Five years have passed since the forego.
ing incidents. II is clear, frosty evening
in October, and cheerful fire is burning IN
the CRATE. throwing ruddy glow on the
ld-tashioned, highly polished furniture
arranged in exactly the same manner %
used best to please my father and mother.
Now and then more brilliant coruscation
than ordinary brings into clear and vivid
relief the rich coloring of some fine pictures
both ancient ard modern, which adorn the
walls. But the bright figures created by
the artists pencil sink into insignificance,
when brought into competition with the
two living forms which are near me-
| Annie Williams is now eighteen. Her
complexion is pure and delicate, and her
I rich brown hair is 80 arranged as to SHOW
/ the contour of the 6ne!y-formed head.
These with her large blue eyes, clear and
soft, and darkly fringed, and her red lips
curved in a manner to redeem the counto-
nance from what Otherwise might have
been deemed look Of too much sottness
form an ensemble moi often equalled, anc
= still more seldom surpassed.
The style of Cathie's beauty is entlrel!
different Coal-black hair, soft, silky, an(
abundant to profuseness, dark, unfathom
able eyes, fresh and living bloom break
ing through the olive of her cheeks, an'
the short upper lip give a piquency to ne
beauty, which to me, is perfectly ench"nt
ing. And yet sometimes think when sh
is not present, that Annie is the most beau
tiful of the two. j,,'
Mrs. Bray says that their mother was
outlandish, dark k-complexoned woman an
!, that Cathie has eyes exactly such as her
were, This l know-they are the mos
), splendid eyes ever saw. And then ne
voice, so delicately sweet, and yet SO caps
BILE of expressing emotion in oil deeper
. well as lighter shades a.
This evening, as she piled her needle 81
Il iuduleed in little snatches of song, whle
y gushed from her rosy lips clear and hq"
As the carol of bird. And well she mlg
D indulge in them, for she WAS engaged IN
task promoted by warm and geheIo'
heart-setting the finishing stitches IN
comfortable winter garment for Mrs. Eros
~ her old task-mistress. @...U. ~
"Come, Annie" said she, breaking OH
u the midst of a lively strain, "go to Il
20 piano and play for me. My heart is r0
- ming over with music, but have made
II promise to myself that wouldn't leave tt
=" till it was finished"
liam little surprised at your selectl
:" ~. Mrs. Frost as person worthy your bene'
-. lence," said Annie. ,.7t.. -.
" s'She didn't treat me well, it Is true
-, 10 replied Cathie, "but it was more beca'
'n she didn't know how, than through a
10 ill-wi]l. She did not treat herself well, a
=, that is why she is almost cripple with
=; rheumatism. .y
IL "You always have an excuse for eve
body's feelings" said Annie, as she seat
re- =, herself at the piano. and commenced pl'
- " ing the prelude to favorite song.
," Tinkle, tinkle, tinkle, went the door b.
u, in the very first pause Of the music. Ami
N" y. white fingers rested on the keys, and WI
ile tho 1vords "Does Miss Emily Williams