The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1880-03-19

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So the dismissed escort retired, leaving
Miss Ninon to go her way unattended.
As soon as the nurse missed her little
charge on the park, she began to be
alarmed, and heartily wished she had
not loitercd so long to talk with her
numerous admirers. But after vain
searchings and inquiries, she FASTENED
home, thinking il probable that the
child had arrived before her.
No little curly head peepcd over the
bauster. as she hurried up the stairs.
Mrs. King, just returned from her
drive, had seen nothing of Ninon; and
amid a torrant of tears and self-re-
proaches, the unhappy girl told the
alarming news. Father and mother
were at once nearly frantic, and notice
was immediately given tho police, and
detectives were sent out in search of
the lost child.
Nearly week elapsed, bringing no
tidings of the missing Ninon. Then,
one morning, a package was left at the
hotel, which was found to contain the
finished photographs. Astonshed be-
yond bounds, and eager to know what
it meant, Mr.. King sought the artist,
from whom he learned all there was
to tell. The news of the loss having
been kept comparatively secret, the
photographer had heard nothing of the
child since she left his store. Now
more pictures were struck off and cir
culated among the officials, and the
search was continued with renewed
energy. Thus two weeks passed, and
not a clue could be gained in regard to
the lost Ninon.
Meantime, another child mysterious
ly disappeared, which only added fresh
anxiety to Ninon's friends, and in
creased the vigilance of those engaged
in search.
One afternoon two college students
were strolling through the woods five
or six miles from the city, when a
quecr-looking figure, by the roadside,
attracted their attention. As they
ncared it, the little figure hoped up,
and, running toward them, exclaimed:
81 wants mamma, m Nellie. Do
take me home"
"liorace!" cried one of the Young
men, excitcdly catching the little girl
in his arms, 81 believe this is the child
Morse told us about. 1t is the very
samc-cyes, hair, aud all Who are
you, child, and how did you come
herew
"I'm Ninon, and I'm so tired. did
have my picture tooken, and | couldn't
find Nellie, and the lady said her
wonld, and we yided SO far, and Nellie
wasn't there tail. Aud | wanted
mamma, and told thum herd wully.
and thum said Towser'd bite me if
vented out, and he didnt-he ius'
growlcd, and yunned so fast fore
thum got up, and 50 thum didn't
knowcd tan Lilly wouldn't come
cause her was 'fraid--and NON Big
Dola coined long. long way, and my
feet arc SO tired!"
Poor Ninon!-so sorry-looking a
little girl! A torn, soiled night-gown
was her only dress, and the little feet
were bare and bleeding, from the cuts
OH the rough stones.
"Big Dola," also, showed signs of
the tiresome journey she had under
gone, for the pretty dress was torn and
dirty, and one tiny bronze boot had
been left far behind on the dusty road,
unheeded by her forlorn little mamma
"Thcrc'll be one happy woman in
town tonight, I'll wager" said the
young man, as he wrapped the little
one in his duster. Then, with her
arms clasped tightly about his neck
her curly head resting wcarily upon his
shoulder, he retraced his steps toward
the city, his companion following with
"Big Dola' tucked under his arm"
"Mamma," said Ninon, few DAYS
later, standing before a table where n
photograph was resting in dainty vel
vet case, "ain't you glad | had my
picture tooken fore / got losted? cause
those stu-d-nuts wouldn't knowed |
was Papa Kings little girl; would
them?"
"But you wouldn't have been lost if
you hadn't run away from Nellie"
answered her mamma.
"N-o," said Ninon, doubtfully; then
added, with bright look: 81 guess
Pm glad, for may be Lilly's papa m
mamma wouldn't have founded her if
| hadn't told thum where the naughty
woman lived. Cause, you know, Lilly
was 'fraid to yum away from the bad
folkses, as me m Big Dola did"
81 know darling; and God was very
good to bring you and Lilly both home
again. But, dear, you must always
keep close to Nellie after this, for, Just
think what if You hadn't ever come
back to mammaW and Mrs. King held
her little girl very close for moment.
"Mamma, don't cry any more. Pm
here now. You skeeze sol" And
Ninon wriggled down, and stood look
ing intently at the picture in the velvet
case.- Huntington Hawkeye.