St. Landry democrat., 1881-10-22

girl gets.
l did as she requested. Very care
fully she took from the envelope three
sheets of thick note-paper.
..Theren' she said, handing one for
my inspection. You never saw such
a letter as that. Did you?'
And truly never did. 1 could dis
Germ the faint tracing of a pencil, as if
the words had first been written; but
every letter had been pricked into the
paper, and every letter was as plain as
print.
Here's where it begins running
her fingers over the lines. LET me
read you piece"
But that would keep some other
little girl waiting
"Il read you as far as the next
house, anyway walking along with
me. "'M My precious little Angie. You
have been in my heart all these days,
but my hands have not found time to
tell you so. hope -
"Oh! dear. Must you 90 in there?
Well. | can't 90 any further without
Bessie. Gcod-bvr'
Angie and soon became fast friends.
| came to anticipate ourmeeting almost
as impatiently as she did, and once,
when | met her riding with her parents,
whom had never seen before, and she
passed me without 4 sign of recogni-
ton, | felt for moment quite cut up.
and then laughed heartily at my self for
my foolishness
One morning she met me with a
brighter smile than usual. "Bessie
and are going to walk piece with
you" she said. "We're going to wait
at all the gates and doorsteps for you.
and Bessie will see that m not in your
wav'
1 walked along, making the quick,
clicking sound she liked so well. She
initiated the same with her stout little
heels, laughing gayly. The cool wind
blew her curls and gave a bright color
to her cheeks. This is fun'' she cried.
cit is ever so much better than riding;
but | have to ride sometimes, because
papa keeps SO many horses
Don't you like it?'' asked.
81 get tired of it. | know the car
riage all by heart Mamma tells me
what we pass; but can't see the things
= with my fingers, you know. | like
things best that can see.'
just here we turned into Clarence
Place.
Perhaps you had better go back
now" said I.
'Why?' in disappointed tone.
looked at Bessie. Il think, dar
linz said she, THAT we'd better keep
on the broad street. It's nicer to walk
in. 1t has smooth, wide pavements for
your feet. This place hasn't even
curbstone. 1t would trip YOU up.
but why don't they put smooth
pavements here?''
"Oh! because it's such narrow lit
tie place and the people haven't much
money
Bessie" said the little maid, au-
thoritatively, "take my hand. This is
just the place where want to 60"
Now it happened that my walk this
morning took me to the very end of the
place. had letter "a check, mag
ined) from Messrs. Frost 4 Co. to Mrs
Dibley. who sewed for them. l knew
the poor woman would be glad enough
to get it, for work had been scarce of
late and times were hard.
And little Stella, the crippled daugh
ter. would be glad, too. Poor child!
she had been shut up in one room for a
year. That room was her little world,
and her mothers face was the light of
it. When that face was clouded, her
sky was dark, indeed.
The pale, thin. childish features came
so wildly to my mind that forgot for
moment that Angie was trying, to
keep up with me; but the little lady
was in no mood to be ignored.
This is horrid hubby place to
walk inn she cried. ''What do you 60
50 fast for?''
because am in hurry to give
Stella's mother her letter.
"Who is Stella, and who is her moth
er? Are you sure it's good letter?'
Eyes, quite sure And then told
her, as we'll as | could, of poor Mrs.
Dibley's hard fortune and of Stellas
affection.
The latter moved her strangely. Her
color went and came, and it was with
difficulty that she kept back the tears.
We reached the house. VIII you
wait for me here?" 1 asked, one foot
upon the rickety staircase which must
ascend.
"No. I'll 60 with you. want to
see Stella"
But here Bessie interposed, to some
purpose: "You know what mother
SAYS, darlin'? You're never to set foot
in house without leave. You remem-
Der thatp''
It was hard struggle. For mo-
ment the sweet face grew red and al
most angry; but Angie loved her mother
dearly, and love conquered.
well 90 right home and ask her,
il you'll But how stupid! Of course,
YOU can't wait. Well, I must wait,"
with her little shrug Of resignation.