The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1879-10-11
ADELINA.
BY ELSIE L. WHITTLEsEY,

1t was the day after New Years-a
cold, clear Tuesday morning-that
disconsolately wendell my way to school,
wishing that holidays came oftener and
stayed longer, and regretting that out of
ffty-two there was only one week of I'M
interrupted pleasure.
The old red school house stood at the
junction Of three roads, and as I raised
the little hill Just before reaching it.
saw, coming from the opposite direc-
ton, little black-clad figure that look
ed like a moving blot on the unbroken
whiteness of the snow covered land
scape
never could tell what actuated me to
linger on her movements as I did, or why
she so strongly attracted me, but from
the first / think / must have loved the
child, even before | was old enough to
slightly understand the meaning of the
word.
We reached the worn old doorstone
together, and, being a boy, not at all
afraid of any one, much less a timid
little girl, very coolly asked her if this
was her first day at school.
Yes; and | dread it SO much"
heard or have ever heard since. The
peculiar rising infection on the last
word was like the short, clear, low notes
OF bird, and as purely natural.
Do you come every day."
Haven't missed a day this winter"
ooh, | am so glad"
Why are you so glad?"
Because you are a good boy. Won't
you please tell me your manner"
Edward Durand."
/ like the name," she said sWeetIy,
and, boy as was, I 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
drawing them into harder knot
Won't you please unite it for me,
Eddie?"
She held up her little cold chin, and
without a moments hesitation / bent
down and did as she requested. It was
such tender, confding little face-who
could help loving it? patted encour-
agingly the rose-red cheek turned toward
me in gentle truthfulness, and babe her
not to be afraid, for she had as good
right to come to school as any one.
Hallol where did that little black
bird come from?" cried kind hearted
Ben Philips as we entered. "Come
along, lutte girl, and get warm, for you
look half frozen"
general tittering and nudging fol-
lowed Ben's energetic seating of the new
scholor, and one saucy little mink, not
understanding its significance, asked
pertly:
"What are you looking SO like crow
for? | hate black dress"
"Hush! reproved an older girl, who
overheard the remark "Hush, Sue;
don't you see she is in mourning?"
The voice that had 50 charmed NE in
the entry answered the question in a
strangely quiet way.
My father is deadi"
A hush as of death fell 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 nameT"
"Adelina"
Mr.. Pike looked wise.
"Adelina Lagrange, l suppose; and
you are the daughter of the lady who
has recently taken the Baldwin cottage?"
Yes, sir"
"Well, you may take this seat ,"
pointing to bench not far from where
was sitting, and without further ques-
tioning Adelina had passed through the
trying ordeal of first day." and was
duly counted one of u.s."
Her mother, it was rumored, was a
lady of refinement and culture, butvery
proud and reserved in her demeanor tor
person who was obliged to teach music
for living. Mrs. Lagrange, at any
rate. was young, handsome, and recently
widowed-at least the length and new
ness of her veil indicated to observing
feminine eyes that the bereavement was
recent, and that is all the gossips knew
about her.
The summer term brought Adelina
sgain TO the old red school house, but SO
changed outwardly that we hardly knew
her for the sOmbre " blackbirG " of the
previous winter She futtered in one
morning dressed in white, with sash and
shoulder-knots of cherry ribbons-the
loyeliest creature | ever saw.
At noon she came to me and said, very
gravely:
After to-day | am not coming any
more.n
Why"
" am going to the city to live; but
you were kind to me the first day | came,
and | tell you for that reason, and be
cause you didn't mind untying my hood
for me-"
felt her going 50 keeuly that could
not study, try as | would, and in conse-
quenee my grammar lesson was de-
cided failure. | went home from school
her way that day, taking care that the
other scholars should not suspect my
motives
When came in sight of her she was
standing motionless by the roadside, at
tentively watching yellow jacket buzz