, 1878-08-15


with the ship and the elephant on ="
"Yes."
"Shall count them now, uncle Tom1'
said she, drawing long breath.
"Oh, no dearl Some night, when you
are out You can't see them all here.
The house is in the way, you know. Now
you mad better go to bed, Katey, for
must go down stairs" so after carefully
tucking the little girl in, and kissing her
goodnight, for TDm had very warm
spot in his heart for this little nuisance" +"
he took his leave.
Katey, left to her own devices, tossed
rcstlessly about in her crib, her mind in
chaos sf excitement, at the prospect of
the bliss in store for her, in the possession
of tho long.cuveted kite. The task to
be performed gave her no uneasiness
whatever, for" thought she, "it's only
counting, and I can count beautiful,
clear up to fifty; and there can't be more
stars than that"
Finally, she jumped out of bed, and
started to the window.
"Oh!' whispered she, softly to herself,
gazing eagerly at the starry vault above
her. If | could only count them to-
night" May Ford is coming to- morrow,
and wouldn't she be sprised at the kite"
Then a bright thought striking her, she
said, III wonder if mamma wouldn't let
me 90 out in the garden minute and
do it, if [ put Nancy's shawl on. I'll 60
and see.'
Fairly trembling with excitement,
Katey seized the heavy shawl, opened the
nursery door and FASTENED down stairs,
her eyes shining, her yellow hair flying,
and therId red shawl trailing picturesque
~ behind. A pretty enough picture it
was, if any one had been there to see
but Nancy was still in the kitchen, her
father vas detained at his office, and
uncle Tom was iu his own room, smoking
cigar.
Quickly Katey appeared at the library
door, for this little nuisance" was not
disobedent, and began, eagerly, "Mam
ma, may /"
But she was allowed to proceed no fur
ther. Mrs. Lester scarcely looked W
from her absorbing occupation. The
picture at the door had no charms for her
she was devoted to higher art. So she
only exclaimed impatiently, run away,
Katey; what little nuisance you are
Do what you like"
Katey, with these words which she
took for a permission, trotted off well
satisfied.
Down the hall she ran, stumbling a
little in the large shawl; stopping n mo-
ment to open the hall door; then along
the piazza, and so out into the night
The mothers ears were drinking in, too
eagerly, the words "Palissy," Majolica,"
"Faience," to hear the commonplace
sounds of little feet pattering along past
the library window. Down the gra,eled
walk the bare, white little feet twinkled
in the starlight, until a desirable spot was
reached for taking the first astronomical
observation; and then Katey sat down
to begin her task, carrying on sort Of
monologue to herself, to keep up her
courage, with no one but the flowers, and
the trees, and the stars to listen.
"Now, Katey Lester, you'd better begin
with the moon, SOS not to lose your
place. Don't you be afraid, you silly
little thing; I'm s'prsed at you. 'Tlsnt
very dark, and you're going to get kite,
with elephant on it and ship. Ole,
two, three, four, five. There's unagree-
able little star getting in the way. l
must begin again. One, two, three, four.
FIVE, six, seven-that stars come again.
One, two, three, why, you naughty star,
I'm 'shamed of you. Guess you must be
n nuisance cause you can't keep still"
SO on, frr some time, until at last the
weary bead sank upon the grass, with a
nurmur, II guess you'd hotter rest n
minute, Katey Lester, and then begin
again. Perhaps that little star III get
tired"
Two hours after, Mr.. George Lester,
wearied with overwork, for to keep his
lady-wife taxed his every energy, entered
the gate of his suburban home. A change
had taken place, meantime in the wealth
er. The stars were overcast, the wind
was playing sad havoc with the flowers,
in the tastetuly- arranged garden, and
the rain was pouring pitilessly down.
Mr.. Lester was fastening up the gravel
walk, when suddenly, in the darkness, his
foot struck against some obstacle in the
path, something which gave forth low,
frightened cry. He stopped with star
tied exclamation of horror, as his hand
came in contact with little, cold, wet
foot. "Katey, can it be my little
Kateyw
"P4pal" said relieved, childish voice,
and in an instant the father was hurrying
to the house with the child in his arms.
A bush had protected Katey'S face
from the pelting rain; but the shawl had
fallen off, and the thin, white night.
gown had been the only protection to the
childish form it covered. Mr.. Lester
strobe into the house with his dripping
burden, and found his wife still deep in
ceramics, and Nancy just entering to re.
ceive some directions from her mistress.
as this child of so little Importance
in the house that she is neglected to this
extent2' said he, his stern glance falling
first upon his startled wife, then upon the
frightened Nancy.
"Katey, my little pet" said the horri-
fed voice Of some one just entering the
room, and Tom darted forward and be
..o,, Oh n G,c kho oh;IlIa nOl1 banda