The Magnolia gazette. [volume] (Magnolia, Miss.) 1872-current, 1881-07-08
pleasure he felt in conversing with the

u haven't papa. she SAID, droppIpg
her voice; che died, oh, long before ]
can remember, but never ask about
him, because it always makes mamma
cry. Would you tell me the time,
please ?"
Ernest glanced at his watch. ''Nearly
O'clock he told her.
''Then must bid you good bye" she
said, ''or shall be late home. And
setting down her basket she bethought
herself Of the hat, which she proceeded
to adjust on the top Of her golden
curls.
do you come here every day ?" she
asked Of Ernest
II shall be here every day for little
while, he answered her.
'rIhen / hope will see you again,
she said artlessly. "And thank you so
very much for getting me the water
lily"
For moment her littleungloved hand
rested on his own, her lips parted in an
other smile and then she was gone, has
tening away with allpossible speed across
the sunny fields, bearing her sweet bur
den of howers-types of her own pure
soul.
Ernest Darrell stood gazing after her.
Was it the touch of her light fingers that
had brought so strange thrill to his
| heart He sat down to resume his paint
| ing but even that had lost its wonted
charm he was restless, and his thoughts
wandered back to what might have been
some years ago, when he married girl
who loved him only for his fathers
wealth. and who (when the securities
failed in which old Mr.. Darrell had in
vested the whole Of his money, and he
was ruined man, his sons prospects
also) left him-his six months bride
leaving behind her a cody worded-note,
intimating that she could share poverty
with no one, and that he need not seek
her, as she never intended to return.
And he never had sought her; but the
love he had borne her was as warm in
his heart now as it had been on the day
they were married. And as he sat Mt
his easel there in the field where little
Lillian had left him, he wept for the
memory of her who, in those days, had
not been worthy one throlI Of his noble
heart.
Several days elapsed before he saw the
little girl again, but during that time
she was hardly once absent from his
thoughts. He had lived such lonely
life since his father died (broken down
by the trouble that had come upon him
IN the loss Of his wealthy and, with
nothing to care for in the world but the
art he was welded to, the child had
come across his path like ray Of sun
shine in the darkness But one day, as
he was returning home, she came dane
ing toward him, and seizing his hand as
il their acquaintance had been Of years
instead Of days, she Immediately began
nm animated conversation, such as only
children can begin on the spur of mo-
ment
Ernest was certainly amused, if not
interested; but as their way along lec
them past the brook where they had
! met before, Lily broke away from hin
J and ran eagerly toward it. She looked
Z back once or twice 70 laugh at Ernest
. and in doing SO tripped over a stone
| hidden in the grass and fell forward int
the water.
, A cry burst from her lips, but imme
diately Ernest came to the rescue, nm,
I ere she became totally submerged, ha'
$ succeeded in drawing her out upon th'
9 bank.
. Wet clothes and severe fright wa
: all the harm the child had sustained
and as Ernest proceeded to wrap roun
her thick plaid shawl, which he gen
1 orally carried with him to protect HI
e feet from damp grass, she began
= laugh at her little adventure.
q II have gathered my water lily now,
2 said the young artist, smiling; ''and
! would not exchange it for all the Other
2 in creation"
! He took her, entirely enveloped in IL
y warm shawl, up in his strong arms an
y continued his walk, now in the directic
e Of Lilian's home.
n ~ am so sorry-mamma VIII be out
i she said, lifting her beautiful eyes to j
n face. ''She would 50 liked to ha7
= thanked you herself But do you kno
Il which way to go?"
IL II want you to direct me, Lily,
q q said.
"a u The distance was short, as he su
posed; and as they reached the gate
al a pretty villa residence, which had Oft
attracted Ernest's attention before by
d. quaint picturesqueness. Lillian inform
lg him that this was "her home.
81 thank you so very much, said
l child, MS she stood once more upon t
ly ground and rang the bell. II wi
1y mamma could thank you herself do
he know how to"
"You need not thank me at all, d,
I child" Ernest Darrell assured her, W
ed the old shade of sorrow darkening
e. face. 81 only hope the consequent
st. Of what has happened may not
serious" He remained with her unit
'us middle-aged woman, whom Lillian call
nurse" came forward to claim
,ur Young charge; and then, after givin
Of brief explanation of the whole aft
he he bade Lily goodbye and walked on
About week subsequent to this eve
py Ernest Darrell happened to be pass
5he the house where little Lillian dwelt, WI
he heard her voice calling after
all down the sunny road
I'D, ''Come back-Oh, please come bac
are she was saying, in GREATNESS eagern