Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1879-05-08
Miss Ventnor's Romance.


why Miss Ventnor had not married.
Talented. handsome and wealthy, surely
1t must have been her own fault. AL
though thirty-iivc years oil age, she could
still have queencd 1t over the best society
in the village, and had her pick ofthe mar
riageahle men; but her cold dignity and
reserve raised an effectual barrier. keep
ing both society and suitors at respectful
distance.
Miss Ventnor had resided in the village
of Canton ten years, and the people were
no better acquainted with her than on
the first day she came among them. She
lived in a little vine covered cottage. sur
rounded by tasteful, even elegant grounds.
The trim servant she employed knew but
little more about her than the people
She never made calls nor received any.
She contributed to several magazines, and
spent large portion of her time in read
ing, although in summer she worked
hours, even days, among the flowers in
her garden.
One beautiful morning, rs Miss Vent
nor was busy culling bouquet offlowers,
she heard baby voice exclaim
oh, pity, pity fowersn
Turning, she saw child about three
or four years of age peeping through the
ratings with her tiny hands outstretched.
Do you want some flowers? Come
here, little one
The child entered the gateway, and
without any hesitancy approached Miss
Ventnor. She was dressed in white
material, richly embroidered, and with
jaunty little sun-hat shading her golden
curls. Around her neck was clasped
4 heavily wrought gold chain, from
which was suspended n locket, almost
too large and heavy for such a child.
One glance into those deep hazel eyes,
and Miss Ventnor self possessed woman
though she usually was, trcmblcd vio-
lently with agitation.
Little girl, what is your nance she
questioned, her voice sounding strange
and husky.
Oracle
Oracle what2 Whose little girl are
You?'
Why, papa's, of torse'
Where does your papa live"
He's 'taying up there in that big
house, indicating the direction with
nod of her golden head.
The hotel, you mean"
L dcss So
Aren't you afraid to go into the
streets so far and alone?',
The little girl looked up in surprise,
and shook her head.
Not when papa and mamma are with
me all the time
Miss Ventnor looked around, but To
her astonis hment saw no one.
Where are they? do not see them.
Here, replied the child. tapping the
locket with one tiny white hand. I
don't kiss papa in here much, but | kiss
mamma every night. Don't you want to
see emp
Miss VentnOr knelt down, and with
trembling fingers unfastened the lockct
1t contained lifelike picture of gen.
tleman, with brown. wavy hair, deep
hazel eyes, and proud, aristoCratic fea-
lures, and lady's sweet. childlike face,
with large, appealing violet eyes, and n
crown Of yellow hair.
She gazed longest at the face of the
gentleman, and look of pain swept
over her face rs she noted the firm. al
most cruel, lines about his mouth and
thought of the words last spoken to her
Won't you kiss papai' asked the
child.
Miss Ventnor touched her lips To the
picture, then hated herself a moment
after.
Now kiss mamma
Miss Ventnor shook her head. while a
hard look came into her dark eyes.
why notP | kiss mammals picture
most, for papa's up there. too, and NAM
mas only in here
Where is your mammal
Dead, papa says. They put her in
the dark ground; but I dess they took
her out and put her in here.
DeadP repeated Miss Ventnor, the
hard look vanishing from her eyes and
atender pity stealing into its place. Ali
that word will stop the most bitter cur
rent Of thought.
L dess must 60 now said the child.
'papa'l be 80 scared
You never could find the way alone.
Come into the house and | will send
Katy with you
Who's Taty?'
The girl that works for me- She will
take you safely to your papa.
Yes, I'll go with Taty.'
After few minutes Katy, n good
natured, rosy-chceked girl, stood ready
to escort her little charge.
Remember Katy, do not 90 into the
hotel, only in sight of It, Miss Ventnor
said for the second time.
Very well, miss
i need not have taken that prccaution.
thought she, bitterly. as she entered the
house. II Is not likely that he has any
desire to seek me- she added with n
sigh.
A few days later, the same little girl
was seen in front Of Miss Ventnor's dwell
ling. stoutly tugging at the hand OF n
6ne-looking gentleman somewhere about
Eorty years Of age, in her effort To draw
him toward the gate. and adding her voice
in entreaty.
DO tome, papal She lives here-the
lady that kissed your picture and
wouldn't kiss mamma
The gentleman had seen Katie from the
window Of his room, and supposed her
to be the person Oracle talked so much
about. and mentioned "A having kissed
his picture. lie scarcely gave this n
second thought, Judging she had simply
done so to please the child, because she
had requested It; so. rs Oracle would not
allow him TO pass the door. but persisted
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