Daily globe., 1879-09-28
ADELINA.
-Haroe''s Bazaar.

|
! ..... ADELINA.
| BY ELSIE LEIGH WHITTLEsEY.
1t was the day after New Years "a
cold, clear Tuesday morning-that dis
consolately wended my way to school
wishing that holidays came oftener and
staid longer, and rcg1etting that out Of
ffty-two there was only one week of un-
interrupted pleasure. A. 2z1 ~.
The old red schoolhouse stood at the
function OF three roads, and, as raised
the little hill just before reaching it, I
saw coming from the opposite direction,
a little black-clad figure that looked like
a moving blot on the unbroken whiteness
OF the snowcovered landscape.
never could tell what actuated me
to l1nger on her movements as I did, or
why she SO strongly attracted me, but
from the first l think I must have loved
the child, even before I was old enough
to rightly understand the meaning of the
word. :
We reached the worn old door-stone to-
gether, and, being boy not at all afraid
to speak to anyone, much less q timid
little girl, very coolly asked her if this
was her first day at school. .. s..1,. .
"Yes; and I dread it so much" ,ao
1t was the sweetest voice I had ever
heard, or have ever heard since. The pe-
culiar rising infection on the last word
was like the short, clear, low notes of a
tird, and as purely natural. .4,.a. ~.
"Do you come every day." a.'...
Haven't missed day this winter"
| 80, am so giad.'-
"Why are you so glade"
"Bccausc you are good boy. Won't
you please tell me your nance"
1 "Edward Dusand." -
II like the name,n she said, sweetly,
and, boy as | was, wondered how any
mortal ever came by such an angel smile.
All this time she had been trying to
unite the round worsted strings of her
hood, but had only succeeded in draw
ing them into harder knot. s5
wont you please unite it for me, Ed
die?"
She held up her little chin, and with
out moments hesitation bent down
and did as she requested. 1t was such a
tender, confding little face-who could
help loving 1t? patted encouragingly
the rose-red cheek turned toward me in
gentle truthfulness, and bade her not to
be afraid, for she had as good right to
| come to school any one.
"Halloo! where did that little black
bird come from2" cried kind-hearted Ben
Phillips, as we entered. "Come along,
little girl, and get warm, for you look
half frozen"
A general tittering and nudging fol-
lowed Ben energetic seating OF the new
understanding its 81 gnihcance, asked,
pertly:
"What are you looking so like crow
for! l hate a black dress"
''Hush' replied an older girl, who over
heard the remark. "Hush. Sue; don't you
see she is in mourning?"
! The voice that had so charmed me in
the entry answered the question in a
strangely-quiet way.
IN father is aeadw
A hush as of death tell upon the noisy
group gathered around the old cracked
stove. The unwonted silence was broken
by the entrance Of the teacher, who i'm
mediately raped us to order, after which
he briskly called up the new scholar.
"What is your namev' a
"Adelina."
Mr.. Pike looked wise.
| "AdeHna Lagrange, I suppose; and
you are the daughter of the lady who has
recently taken the Baldwin cottage7'
"Yes. SIR" sz
"Well, you may take this seat" point
ing to bench not far from where I was
| sitting, and without further questioning
Adellna had passed through the trying
ordeal of a ''hrst day." and was duly
counted one of US: at F io gay :,
Her mother, it was rumored, was lady
of refinement and culture, but very proud
and reserved in her demeanor for per
son who was obliged to teach music for
living. Mrs. Lagrange, at any rate,
was youpg; handsome, and recently Wild
owed-at least the length and newness of
her veil indicated to observing feminine
eyes that the bereavement was recent,
| and that is all the gossips knew about
her.
The sul-rner term brought Adelina
again to the old red schoolhouse, but SO
changed outwardly that we hardly knew
her for the somber ''blackbird" of the
previous winter. She f1uttered in one
morning dressed in white, with sash and
shoulder-knots Of cherry ribbons the
lovliest creature I ever saw. At noon
she came to me, and said, very gravely
'Atter to-day I am not coming any
more"
"Whyg' #
II am going to the city to live; but you
were kind to me the first, day came, and
tell you for that reason, and because
you didn't mind untying my hood for
me-"
I felt her going so keenly that / could
not study, try as I would, and in consc-
quence my grammar lesson was decid-
ed failure went home from school her
way that day, taking care that the other
scholars should not suspect my motives.
When c..me In sight Of her she was
standing motionless by the roadside. at
tentively watching yellow-jacket buzz
ing for sweets in the downy heart of a
white Canada thistle.