The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1877-10-06

less creatures, and considering all the
circumstances OF her household, She
thought herself most fortunate in her
lover
1t Is astonishing how soon pleasant
habits may be formed. Before the next
week had passed it became quite the Gus
/ tom of the children to come to Mr..
Broughton's room at least once a day,
ostensibly to play with Dandy; but
they also brought their toys to show to
Dandy master, and chartered away, as
/ bright, eager, fresh-hearted children are
pretty sure TO do, with those whom, by
some instinct, they at once recognize as
friends Dandy's canine predecessor in
the house, the much lamented Topsy,
was frequent subject of conversation.
Her accomplishments were described
though admitted to be fewer than Dan
/ dy's, and her death and burial dwelt on
with some pathos And one day little
Ally came into the room hugging thick
Photographic album in her arms. She
had brought it for the express purpose
of showing Topsy's likeness.
1opsy had been photographed num-
Der OF times; once costly curled up on
mat; once occupying an easy chair with
something of the dignity of Judge
another time as a conspicuous member
of a group; and lastly by the side of a
lady who had her hand on his head.
And who is the Lady," inquired Mr..
Broughton, trying to speak with a calm
ness he did not quite feel. /" 1t does not
look like your mother"
20 no. Why, it is auntiew exclaim-
ed little Ally in tone which implied
wonder that he could for a moment have
taken it for Mrs. Gray.
Then Topsy was fond of auntie, and
auntie was fond of Topsy, | suppose? ~
said Mr.. Bronghton, wishing to discover
all he could about this auntie.
The little girl nodded her head by way
of reply, and then she said: "Auntie
did cry SO much when Topsy died. She
was auntie's own doggy"
And did you cry?" asked Mr..
Broughton
Another nod of the head; but the
child exclaimed; Z" Not 50 much as
auntie-auntie cried till her eyes were
quite red.
And is this portrait very like aun.
tie?" asked Mr. Broughton.
Yes; but she never wears such
sleeves as those now. I'll show YOU her
new photographs and the little fingers
rapidly tursied over the leaves and found
a likeness taken only the other day.
Mr.. Broughton recognized the same
sweet face, though it showed that seven
or eight years had probably passed be-
tween the time the one photograph had
been taken and the other.
/ "And what is auntie's name?" in
quired Mr.. Broughton with forced com
posture.
"Auntie?" said the little girl, as if
/ the word was quite sufficient; butadded
moment after, as if the thought of
more information being required had
/ just come to her: "She is Alice, and |
am Alice; only they call me Ally.
Auntie is so good" the child continued
mother says she is the best auntie that
ever lived. And | must try to be good
| too, because | have got her name"
"Quite right, my darling" sold Mr..
Broughton, giving the child a fatherly
kiss. But run away now, for | have
letters to write. VIII you leave me the
album; should like to look at Topsy
gain-though l don't think she was
much like Dandy. Do you?"
+" Not bit!" cried the child, tripping
off gleefully, and leaving Mr. Broughton
with his heart stirred in manner it had
not been for many years
1t was true that he had letters to write
but it was half an hour before he took a
pen in his hand. The first thing he did
was to draw forth powerful magnifying
glass, and by It's means to study the face
of the lady with the dog most narrowly.
Yes, he had not a shadow of a doubt
that this dear aunty," the maiden
sister of Mrs. Gray of whom he had
heard, was the love of his youth, the
Alice Clifton of the concert room, the
Alice Croft of private life. Photography
| revealed some lines of care and suffering
that had not belonged to the fair young
face he so we'll remembered; but such
fOOt-marks of time must be expected in
the course of twenty years, even under
happier circumstances than had prob
ably befallen the woman in question
That she should have relinquished her
professional career without having mar
ried, puzzled him. But he had incident
ally heard from the children that
"auntie" was coming home tomorrow
and before many days should pass, he
would certainly find out thing or two
which must greatly influence his future.
As if to confirm his already strong be-
lief beyond the power Of even moment
airy cavil, the next time he went down
stairs he observed a letter on the hall
table, which, on looking if it were in
tended for himself, he saw was addressed
Miss Croft"
The next day Alice Croft returned
home; and as Broughton was taking his
coffee, he could hear the children's
merry shouts of welcome, at which, by
the-bye, Dandy set up short bark, as if
he thought he too had right to Join in
the demonstration.
Il will do nothing hurriedly," Mr..
Broughton thought to himself after
twenty years of separation | can wait
for a few days surely. After all, if we
meet on the stairs she will not recognize
in me the slim, smooth faced boy be-
lieve she remembers" And thinking
thus, he glanced at himself in the Chin
ney glass, noting the bronzed weather
beaten face and long beard streaked with
white that it reflected. ''But | wonder
if my name will strike herr" he con-
tinued. Perhaps not; and yet it
may"
Now the fact was, Alice Croft had not
as yet heard the new dodgers name; for
her sister had at first misunderstood it,
and had written it Rawton," in COM
municating the news that the rooms
were let. Three or four days passed be-
fore Alice had any idea of the mistake
Meanwhile Richard Broughton had seen
her-unseen himself-more than once;
and had eyen heard ho, 1-o;oo S,,on Linz