Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1879-11-19


her native village, or the dirty lanes Of the
great city. She fancied now that she had
wandered by chance into some sweet dream
land, or was under the influence of some
fairy's wand, as in the tales she had read in
borrowed story-books. She would not now
be at all astonished TO find golden wings
fastening themselves to her shoulders, and
to feel herself borne swiftly away and up.
What could be more strange than this float
ing on the water; for she knew little or
nothing Of steam and its power. Her eye
did not rest long on any one thing her mind
was busy with It's new impressions. She
saw the two young men, and noticed that
they looked at her often. She saw the groups
of kindly men and women and laughing
girls. "Where were they all going, and
for what ?" questioned she Of herself, but
found no answer.
The gentleman who had spoken to Anne
was the captain. Once more he silently
contemplated the strange traveller, who had
neither money nor ticket, and yet did not
feel troubled about it. OF course he could
not put her on shore, for she had told him
that she had no parents and no home. Why
should he refuse charge thus thrust upon
him He resolved that he would accept
her as gift, would treat her as his own.
" But the rags" thought he, looking earnestly
at her from hat to shoe. " How can I clothe
her +? Money will do no good where there
is nothing to buy" He then held long
consultation with the stewardess, who wisely
suggested that the lady passengers should
each be asked to contribute one garment
till she was fully clad.
Darkness was now succeeding the day,
and the kind captain led Anne by the hand
down to the stewardess, Miss B., who
little by little explained to her where she
was, how long she must stay, and where
they we're going, and smiled at the eager
gladness with which everything was ac-
cepted No one ever had the courage 10 ex-
plain to Anne that she had no real right
there, or cast shadow over the glad child
heart
CHAPTER III.
The next day brought clear sunshine on
the waters, and Anne's heart drank it all in,
as was shown by the glad smile around her
mouth--a mouth whose shifting lines re-
vealed all the changeful fancies of her mind.
Never was mouth more beautiful, more del
icate or more tempting.
Miss B was not long, the next day, in
collecting clothes enough to cover that little
body but when they were brought to Anne,
her pale face colored with shame. She had
forgotten her dirty rags, in this new world
and blushed to recall them. BY gentle per
suasion the good lady got her to consent tc
put on the new clothing. Child-like, after
the first feeling of shame had passed away
she enjoyed the pretty sea.blue dress and
sack and stockings but the boot slipped of
the tiny foot as fast as on, aud Miss B
went again to try second pair, which could
neither be made to stay on. "Only one
more person to try" said she, starting Out
again.
She returned, and this time the little shoe
went on as il made for Anne alone.
"Whose was that 2" asked Aune.
"There is a girl on board who is lame
and much petted by her cousin, Mr.. Granger
1t is hers. Paul Granger is his name. He
is tall and has kind blue eyes, and loves thi
cousin Dora dearly"
"Are his eyes deep and blue as the sea
like this dress ?" asked the child, fond
ling it.
eyes, they are" was the reply.
"Paul Granger" said Anne Il have {
queer liking for that name it seems as if
had dreamed Of it. Please, Miss B.
from what kind of a world did | come int
this ?"
| al don't know,-you ask such very queel
questions" she answered, twisting her ting
ers in and out the hayward hair. Sh'
brushed it all out, and as it wound itself bacl
to curls, she let them fall about her necl
and shoulders as they would. "Was Their
ever anything so beautiful as this girls hal
and mouth and eyes ?" she said, half aloud
al for one am glad she came. We ca
never be dull when she is about
Before dinner that day the two young
men, Paul Granger and Arthur Raymond
were walking the deck, arm in arm, and thei
conversation soon turned to the little stran
ger. "Cinderela must have come from some
where" said Paul, Though she may be lik
certain characters in Hawthorne's Marbl
Faun, without known beginning or end
who appear, and, after little life, disappea
like mists and vapors for she said she ha'
no home, no parents, no brothers, no sisters
To be sure she was all tattered and tor
when she came to our ball, and now, like he
namesake, she is fairy-like, and, with he
tiny slippers, seems to glide rather tina
walk To-day, as spoke to her, she locke
up and her eyes were like clear, deep wells
in which one may see down ever so far.
longed to look down to the bottom, but m
eyes fell feebly before her honest gaze"
at would be a fatal look for you, oil
boy" said Arthur, laughing and slappinl
Paul on the shoulder, al advise you not t
try it."
"Oh pshaw," said Paul, gaily. "Don'
be alarmed about my iron-clad heart. N
eyes could unsettle that. Besides, year
and years lie between that ragged child an
me. might almost be her father, but II
leave that matter to the captain, who seem
inclined"
snow Paul." laughed Arthur, " there
one singular thing in all this. You kno'
Miss B., the stewardess, sought anon
the passengers for bits of clothing for gu
Cinderella, but the magic slipper to fit 5
tiny foot could be found only at you