The Red Cloud chief., 1881-06-30
MISS DARCY'S EASTER bonnet.

MISS DARCY'S EASTER bonnet.
II was n raw, misty evening in early
April. Hugh Merrick buttonci his
Ovcrcoat a little closer, n he came out
of his office and started on his walk mp
town. The keen wind and sharp SECT
smote him in the face; but H. puscd
his soft hat lower over his Eyes AMI
walked on rcsolutcly, deciding not 10
take a ear, though he hal forgotten his
umbrella. \ long day OF hard work
IN his business, with pcrplcXing cares
in addition, not of a business nature,
made the sharp air a relief TO him, AMI
the thought of a stufly car was rcpcl-
liant. Turning into Fifth avenue. at
length, a furious blast of wind and sieet
nearly blinded him for Il moment, and
he stumbled against n child, coming
from the opposite direction. He was
hurrying past, when tie sound of sup
pressed sobs fell on his ear, and he
half stopped, with an impatient eXcla-
NATION.
did | hurt voua?" he asked, scarcely
giving her a glance.
'sOhi no. Not Won" said the child.
We'll what is it? Cold, are you?
WHY don't you run home? This Is no
tim for be~rging." And this time he
locked at her. to see if he Ea1 guessed
correctly. But the honest blue eyes
that looked up 10 him frankly asked
nothing.
Hugh Mcrrick had n weakness for
blue EYES. and he felt rebuked when she
answered:
I'm not begging, sir; but just see
this" She held up to view u paste
board box. crushed and broken and
stained with mud.
How did it happcn?' asked the
gentleman, compaSsionately.
IL was crossing the street, and tho
box got knocked ont of nv hand; and
while | WAS trying TO pick it up a man
grabbed me right up out of the a of
nm omnibus and the wheels went right
over this. And il : all spoiled, | know.
J and il cost fifteen dollars. And | had
the bill in my hand, and L don't know
whats become of it"
Al the end of this tale of woe the
tears burst forth again. She was a
small, thin child. about ten years old,
with fair hair falling out of an Old blue
hood. Far hair and blue eyes. The
most beautiful combination in the
world Hugh fIcrrick was wont-tc think,
and the though: made him wonderfully
suft-hcar,ed Just now.
Don't cry," he said, compassion.
ntcly. where were you going to take
the boX?'
That's Just what | don't know
said the child. The address was or
the bill: but | didn't want TO get it wet,
so held it under my shawl and hadn'
looked at it vet. Twas for some lady
on Fifth Avenue"
Highly definite. A bonnet, | pre-
sumo. Well, come with me-. | am al
most home. and well investigate thi.
.mash-up and see what the damage is
And then, somehow, though he haC
neve meant it in the least, her little
wet hand was claSped in his warmly
gIoved one, and she was trotting up b,
his side. looking up into his face witt
grateful confidence. 4 few more step:
brought them to his comfortable bache
Tor residence. He opened the doc
with his latch-key, and took the LITTLE
war-rarcr into the library. where sh'
was soon toasting her feet before thu
crate. And now let me see, hand
linz gingcrly the crushed handbook
II mustn't add to the damage. S.
I uppos OF open it." She laughed
shtlv. took it from him. and managed
10 extricate the bonnet. giving utter
ance TO a CRY of dismav as she saw j
WAS wocfuliy crushed out of shape
IL knew it was spoiled.n she walled
And I'll get turnel out of my place
and maybe they'll make me pay for it
Oh, what shall | GoP'
Hugh Nierrick's eyes were fixed ol
the bonnet. Blue was his fayorite colo
In bouncts. rs we'll as in eyes; but the:
was sometime in this dainty bit Q
millinery that sent a pang through nj
bc.rf IT remind ID him of some one
He could imagine just how 1t Won
70, ahove those waves of gleanlp
rolb. inst how those strings WON
SScs,Ie around a white throat N una
- SOFT rounded chin. That feather wa
intended 10 fall on the massive praio .
the hack. Ruined, was it? 10 INN
WAS beautiful and perfect He rouse
himself with a start.
Il don't know much about sue
things" he said, cheerfully; but tho
doesn't appear TO be much the matte
with it,"
oh. don't Won see?" she said, star
I ;,r nn This side is all punched
on,I nc lace is torn; the feather
brnkrn foo. No lady would c TIM
of wearing il. And it cost fifteen DC
lars" ,,o II.
owes. II is a pitiful thing to see a loo
of desnoir in child's face. So though
TIugb Nerrick, and again SAID, hastil,
..n0n-t cry. Perhaps l can fix ii.
wn only knew the lady's nam
Couldn't o 90 back TO the store an
~.Tboy,d know then what l had don
md then I'd lose my place. Beside
tbe lady wouldn't pay for it. l kno
ebe'J be awful mad. You see it's q
Hster bonnet"
..Oh. an Easter bonnetr!i said NJ
NIe,rirk. slowly. And it's worth ii
,aen dollars? Well, as long as it
bonrbt. it doesn't matter who the pur
chaser is, / suppose. I'll take the bon
..Your' and the child's face wa
valiant with joyful relief. Then sh
added. doubt!ully: But you can't YEA
1t, sir"
mo, suppose not, sven at Taste,
But NV sister may be able to fix it q
and make it quite respectable"
o hypocrite. YoI know You neve
Sean 70 let your sister know what
fool YOU have made of yourself. Throw
|, inc away fifteen dollars to crafty
whiu! To W a bonnet that mich
bsTe adorned the head of a woman 70
do not intend to marry. The child
eager eyes seemed to confront him wit
his folly. He hastily put the money il
20 an envelope, sealed it, and handle
TO the little errand girl. There, te
your mistress the truth, and don't II
e. conceal ANYTHING; because, lust thin