New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1880-09-12

gave me a hearty welcome. Sevefns vile was
charming but her niece, Miss Rufford, was not
quite so attractive, being somewhat grave and
formal Alfred Severn res, mbied his brother,
though pei haps he was more silent than Harry.
| saw his ewes go round the room, as If he
sought fer something Where's Sophie y he
Where. indeedr echoed Mrs. Severn; and
Severn himself walled to the window, calling:
Sophie Sophiev But she did not appear.
said nothing her gesture OF silence sealed my
lips. -,
After a pleasant hour spent in dawdrg
| through the garden, we separated, to prepare
for nner When ready | wendell my way To
the library, hoping to find my little fairy there;
| but the room was empty; i flung my
self into the couch the fairy had occupied, and
began to think Of the woman | had loved Ill
far-aw1y India, and who was, | thought lcS'
forever. (She sits by my side to-day she came
to me after all, and proved heI faith and truth
before the world but do not think there was
q more miserable man in the length ana
breadth of England than was, upon that beau
tiful summer eveniug.)
Alfred was the first TO enter the room, ana |
was about 10 question him as TO Severn ward.
when Miss RulOrd, clad in cleaning " hlte silk,
gided into tie room closely followed by Mis-.
Severn. As the gong doomed out through the
hall. Severn himself appeared, and without q
moments pause lie offered his arm 10 Miss
Ruford. ! did the same to the lady OF the
house and We entered the dinlng-rODn.
AsWe seated ourselves at table. Severn looked
around, and said somewhat impatlently:
where is sophie -,
Mrs Severn replied smilincly: Sophie will
come in presently. -.
Was il imagination, or di1 glance Of inte'ii-
gence pass swiftly from eye TO eve around the
table? | began to think there must be s0me-
thing queer about the child.
With the rest of the sweets she came ana !
thought her pretter than ever. she as dressed
In white. with pale pink sash around her larry
waist and pink bows stuck over the iiuifS and
putis OF her stylish fr0ck. Seven glanced at ncr
in0uiriurly She tossed M her little head a.
size encountered lis eyes; and a saucy sal.le
sent as It seemed. u hundred d.mplcs playing
hide-and- seek around her rosebud mouth
Alfred made room tOr her at his side; 10 tact
vacant place was there all through dinner. She
ciidCl to her scat with Il scif-pOSsesson AMI
graceful case o! manner wonderful 10 see IL one
SO young.
You have not met my friend, Mr.. Dennis
SOPHIE, SAID severn.
her .onz eycashcs. Don't betray me, It said
! took up the cue she dropped, ana SAID was
glad to make Miss Sophie's acquaintance. Where
vas a mSciicy Gus glitter III her great eyes as
she bowed 10 me. and a 10y ely poutlng smile set
the Gimples dancing again.
! had no doubt there was some joke amongst
them, for they all laughed 50 heartily at s1ch
tritiing things, and even the gray headed butter
trclnbled on the verge OF Il smile but codlu
bot fad out what ii was.
When dinner was over and the ladies had
withdrawn, Severn and | stroled ont mo the
pleasure ground. Alfred did not accompany
us. We had much to tell each other. Ha-ly
had volumes to say about his happiness and
good fortune, and little OF the sorrow when
had preceded II. And II was glad OF
friendly ear wherein 10 pour the story OF my
cruel wrong. | did not accompany seven TO
the draw iug-roOm but leaving him to make
what excuses for me he best could bctoOk my
self to the solitude Of my own IOoGi and tie
society of book. | had sat fol some time
reading or trying to read, when suddenly out
side my window arose concord OF sweet
sounds, which thrilled me through and
through. and brought me to tie window AT
once. Four figures STOOD upon lie terrace;
singing. The voices rose ana fell on the sui
night air, and trcmhled away into silence IN
perfect cadence. | mad seldom heard anything
so sweet
Encore, encoIer l cried springing ont
amongst them. They greeted NE with merry
burst OF laughter
so cried severn; 4 knew how to unearth
you. | remembered how fond You used to bc
OF music long ago. Sit there with Miss huiiCId
and be audience
Could ii be possible that 'SOphie-that child |
was one of the yOcaiists2 Yesj there she /
stood beside Mrs. Severn, furthest from the !
lamp they had set upon table, covered with !
loose sheets OF music her floating nbbors |
white dress, and sylph-hkc form harmonlzng
eXqusitely with the background OF trelIlsed |
roses.
softly. very softly the music began again A
voice clear, sweet, unable As the song 81 !
tlrushes III n spring twilight, arose from The |
group. The melody was simple @nJ SWct !" a /
degree, and the voice held my tTcAth lest /
! should lose one note. ! felt choking cliSa- |
ton in my throat and yet | was s9uy nen !
the other voices struck in, beautifully ht mon
lied and tuneful as the quartet was. listened
breathlessly 10 its close; and felt when Il, ceased
that something beautiful had come, and gone |
forever.
They sang no more in the twilight, We went |
10 the dTawing-r0Om. where Miss i lord |
played for us. She played unccmmon'y well /
was absent. | asked Mrs. Severn where sho /
was; and that lady replied. laughing: cone /
TO bed 1t is too late for children to say up.
A few bright neveriC-tc-toIg0 days /
succeeded 1t was long slucc | had been so /
happy. Only tue child was standlnZ luzze /
10 me. She kept Oi.t Of my way, and laughed /
at me- and worried me with haunting 'spl- /
cion that she was making fun OF me. OIe day |
caught her tripping up the garden, anJ 60 &t,d ,
her to stay and talk to ne. But size cnly /
laughed. and fled away, saying her nurse was /
waiting FOL her. | own J WIS puzzled.
At last | discovered the JOKE they had been /
Keeping up amongst them. Ii was on this wise /
! found il out. ! had started by myself ioI /
drive one afternoon and rad gone about nan
mile from the gate, when | slied Il tlufterng
gown and a dainty hat, which ! recognized.
But what could have brought the little fairy so |
fan from home3 She WAS standing by the
roadside talking to chill OF about heI own
yeaIS-a pale, thin ghost of a thing whose IN
cared for locks. ragged frock. and broken,
trodden-do shoes formed Il striking conIas;
to hei own tim gIacefHine,s saw the chill
drcns hands meet. The little Jcggu-giIl coar-
tested low.
The tinv lencfacIcss turned and faced me.
You here! she cried, ciimsunng 10 her bIOE.
spIang out OF tie low pony-cnliaec, and al
most lifted her IT,. You naughty child /
said why are you wandering 50 far b. youi-
scHE
Because I had particular business she said
And vi. Dennis please let me GO
Tel me where your particular business les
and / will drive You there J answered. giving
the rein to the spirited ponies, and can ing OH
my dear little prize.