The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1881-11-17

She stood ~ tbe stoYmy tvuVor Wv
swollen waters running swiftly beneath
> her hare feet; her dssk eyes fixed on some
! object lower down thr streAm;s little stray
\ lamb closely clasl,ed ia her arms
/, They called her kelpie, nothing else.
, for the slim. li,he.limbed. lusirous.e, cd
, maiden had no claim 10 any other name
One wid.winter night. when the snow
lay white and Lcsvy on the surrounding
hill, and bitter blass whistled through
the valley in which Msple.hrop nestled,
the widow Blackstone, sitting comfortably
in her chimney corner. was startled by .
sharp rap at the door.
Why, who can that he on such night'
cried the widow. pushing her spcctacles
up on her forehe.sd. Run to the door,
Toni
Tom sbcyed
Who's there? he demanded.
Only the hoarse roar Of the wntry blast
answered him.
There's some one lurking about. sad
Tom. I'll see what they're after.
But he stumbled over something At his
feet A basket, covered with colored
blanket.
What's this? he cried,
The colored blanket was removed, aud
underneath, all folded in Hannels. they
found a little mite Of baby.
Toms mother held up two deprecating
hands.
lis shame, she cried. and a lone wild
ow. ! won't keep it, won't; it shall go
to the poor-house in the morning. now
now there.
Ton WAS silent.
But when the morrow came, and the
news g,,t abroad, and all Maplethrop came
focking in to have look at the little foud |
ling. Tonf got behind bis mothers chair,
aud pinche d her arm.
Mother, l,e whispered, when she turned
round, don't send the midget away; shall
be big fello soon. and I'll work for you
both.
His mother nodded. and smiled, but
tears rose in her eyes. And when Mr..
Thorndyke, the minister, came with the
rest and offered 10 make some provision
for the child. she answered with curt
decision
intend to keep it my self
So the little waif reml ined at the small
cottage, in the sunny pire woods. beyond
the village OF Maplethrop; and when spring
came on, in beauty, Mrs. Blackstone car
ried her little charge to the village church,
and the baby WAS chrstened. the minis /
ter's wife standing godmother. Only
Roso! And the sweet name suited her
we'll; for the bloom on her dnsk cheeks, /
and the dsvy carnati on Of her yonng lips. l
were as bright as the heart Of that queenly q
flower. q
Rose was her name, but as she grew into I
a slim slip Of o girl, everybody ca lied her 8
Kelpie. Because she was such wild,
bright, defiant thing, perhaps, and had il
such fondness for the water lb
While other girls OF her age wero play G
ing at baby house, Eose might lie found
on the shore Of Cednr creek; launching I
her miniature boats amid shadows, wad- ii
ing in the cool water with bare, brown
feet as exquisite in form as q scnlptor's d
model. or swinging in the fork Of On over al
hanging willow. watching the wild ducks "
rs they sailed down stream. la
She's an out-an.out Kelpis, said old
Hawks, the Maplethorp miller. and from Q,
hat hour the name clung to her M
Tom made good his promise. and work
I'd hard and willingly for his mother and 81
Ter adopted child; but there came time
vhen tho little Numbering town was too
mall for Tom. His growing capacities he
allied for some wider field OF action.
Where there is will, q way 10 gener.
lily opened. A fine opportunity came up. in
nd Tom availed himself OF it at once an
tut il required q severe wrench to tear
imself away from Maplethorp. Al d the he
tile cottage unlcr the shelter OF the liI
inc woods. la
kelpie, I'm Hoing. lie said, when he had loi
arted with his mother. my
The girl was driving her sheep into an
eir fold but sine turned around and fac tw
him. wa
I'm going. repeated Tom. standing up ~,
raight and handsome, wistfnl cx pession will
his resoluie gray eyes, but shall come yol
ck, Kelpie.
kelpie stood like 3 statue. Eli
Shall / find you here at tho oil
ttage9 he went on. Will you wait, Kel.
e, and have welcome for me7 ey,'
A slight culver stirred her red lips, bui II
e looked at him with shy, almost defiant Y
es T
| cannot promise, was all she said. he .
A shadow Of pain crossed the young ava
ms eager face. He made step for. 81
I'd and caught hcr two hands. man
You are cruel. he cried. You know heal
love you-- tear
Stop, she commanded, freeing herself Of to /
grasp; lwili not hear another word. han'
You have been kind and good TO me all only
life, and ! am not ungrateful; lot that fell
lice. Go your way. and leave me to H
me- X
Tom drew deep breath; his eyes FASH Y,
You prefer some ono elsa. hesaid bitter A,
III were young Doctor Tslco.t ask. II
you for your promise. you would ans. eyes
: HIM quite differently, III warrant Tom
u you think so. veil and good. she made part
Iver, and turning from him. she follow "
her lambs 10 pasture. u