The Democratic advocate., 1879-11-15

at is lovely The color is exquisite !
Would the young lady like to sell anoth.
er?"
IL believe she would, replied the gen
tleman. "But | must pay for mine. Win
ten dollars be sufficient, miss2''
"Oh, indeed, sir, | think it too much"
"Not at all. 1t is worth that to me. /
suppose that monsieur would give you a
hundred or SO for the rest, but think you
had better keep them"
He looked so kindly, and spoke so earn
estly, that she could not help replying
"I will"
How happy she felt as she fastened
home. The cloud that was so black in the
morning had broken, and the sun was
shining around her. As she sat sewing
that afternoon, she sang softly to herself
"Tho sad and drear our days may be,
A sunbeam shines thro' ali;
II it do but rest on our hearts and minds
As it rests on the cottage wall.
For the golden sunshine of the heart
Will charm away every i'll;
And will make us feel that the darkest cloud
Has silvery lining still"
Alice had everything in readiness when
Saturday came. The curls were replaced
by the bob on the back of the head. She
had thought Of curls, but she was afraid
they looked too girlish. She had been
very quiet all day, and had kept her
thoughts strictly to herself this was some
thing unusual in her
At length gentleman was announced,
and for the last time she descended the
creaky stairs. She started when she look
ed into the gentleman's face. Could it be!
Yes, it must be, for golden hair chain
hung from his vest
"Miss Grey, believe"
She bowed
81 presume you know my name, John
Balfour."
She bowed again, for she could not
trust herself to speak. During the week
she had never ceased to think Of the gen
tlcman in the hair store Would he re.
cognize her? She had no right to expect
it, but she almost hoped he would. She
wished he had been some one else, but
yet she felt thrill of gladuess, because il
was he. Little was said during the twenty
miles ride. Mr.. Balfour was busy with
his newspapers, and Alice was busy with
her thoughts.
John Balfour had been widower some
FIVE years. He was but thirty-seven,
handsome, rich and talented. lie was
quiet, and spent much Of his time alone.
His servants were warmly attached to him,
aud his children thought there was no one
like papa. Many wondered why he had
never married the second time. All the
mammas in the neighborhood had tried to
catch him for their daughters, but u1suc.
ccssfully,
The housekeeper informed Alice, how
ever, that Mr.. Balfour was to be married
soon to distant relation of his, Miss Addie
Gaylor. The children often spoke Of
Cousin Addie, but they did not seem to
love her.
"Cousin Addie is in Europe, and is to
visit us on her return, said Mabel.
81 presume that your cousin is very
beautiful and accomplished" ventured
Alice.
ayes, she's pretty, but don't like her,
because she won't play with me, and she
is always so afraid Of soiling her dress"
said Cassie.
"She is very fond Of music, but papa
says that you play with more expression,
and better time" said Mabel
"She promised to bring me big wax
doll from Paris" said Cassie. "And
think that's kind Of her, because l tease
her so much"
"Cassic leases everybody, except you.
She told me the other night that she loved
you next to papa"
swell, Mabel, you said that you wish
cd papa would marry Miss Grey instead of
Cousin Addie."
Hush, children, you must not talk SC"
said Alice.
None Of the group had noticed tall,
manly figure standing in the open door.
His face wore an amused, and rather
pleased expression.
June came, and with it Cousin Addie.
"The children will have holiday,
while Miss Gaylor remains, said Mr. Bal
four one morning.
Alice bowed. She felt as if she would
like to cry and for what reason, she knew
not.
The house was filed with company.
There was much merry making in the
parlors and on the lawn; there were walks
aud drives and picnics, but poor Alice
seemed to be entirely forgotten by every
one, and, oh, how homesiek and weary she
was ! She watched the merry throng from
the nursery window, and how could she
help noticing how much Mr.. Balfour and
Miss Gaylor were together. Miss Gaylor
was tall and stately and beautiful; and
plain little Alice did not wonder that men
should fall in love with her.
Alice was in the habit of walking with
the children in the garden when the COM
pany were off on excursions. One day
they three were seated on the grass under
a shady tree, making rosey wreaths, when
Cassie suddenly exclaimed
"Can't We take down your hair, Miss
Grey?"
"If you wish to.
Four little hands were soon at work and
Alice's hair fell in curling masses on the
grass.
why don't you curl your hair, Miss
Grey" said Mabel. at is so pretty"
"You may curl It for me, - sho answered.
Why, Miss Grey, here is a piece ever
so much shorter than the rest. Why
doesn't 1t grow r. demanded Cassie.
at was cut off
"Did you ever SEQ papa's watch chain
1t was made from hair just the color of
yours, and hc won't tell US where he got
il"
'lndeed," " said Alice, blushing. "Psr-
haps he thinks that little girls should not
know everything"
A iootstep sounded on the gravel walk,
and In an instant Mr. Balfour stood before
them. The children ran ii elss him. aud
Alice stood blushibg and confused.
"You have been making picture Of
Miss Grey, see. That's right
Don't you think that she 5 pretty, papa, |
when she has her aair DOWN. inquired
Cassie.
ssI know vou think a puss y he an