The Worthington advance., 1882-10-12
s For tho ADvANCE,1
''THAT CHILD. =
Avnvu nwOpv

Allie turned around to meet Miss
Raynor's indignant countenance, will
4 penitent look on her pretty face, 9Ilt
extended her hand to Hugh asking his
forgiveness and hoping he was moi
much hurt. and by tn. way he took
the proffered hand and tbrgave her, die
nothing towards diminishing Miss
Rayn0r's ire, or show that he was II
any way physically injured. To enc
thessmost aggravating Of scenes he asked
Miss ltaynOr to accompany him Ct0r
stroll, and she dismissed Allie in hel
most dignified and cutting manner
who, nothing daunted. went to con.
suit with Aunt Marcia about the com
ing party.
The eventful evening arrived and
the yOung ladies were in the most am
liable Of moods, LOttie RaynOrs even OIL
ering to assist her littlel tOrmentOl
with her toilet. -,
When she was pronounced perfect by
both ladies, they sent her down to re-.
cieve her guests, who were. beginning
to arrive.
Putting the last touch to floral dec.
oratiOn, she was ut her post when the
first guests were ushered in; and lovely
she looked, as she stood by Aunt Pat
ty's chair, dressed III the simplest of
white dresses looped with blue ribbons,
blue ribbon bows on her tiny slippers,
her long curls swept back from her fair
forehead and confined hy y single blue
band; u beautiful picture of youth and
inn0cencp.
Gertrude and Lcttie were among the
last tOssenter the room and they drew
exclamations of admiration from every
side as they swept down the room arm
in arm.
They each shone resplendent in silk,
with hair arranged III the heigth Of
fashion, jewels glittering among the
braids and curls, flashing on their
hands, shining among the rich lace
around their shoulders, making brill
liant display.
Allie had not seen these elcgants COS
TUNES before, and she smilingly con-
graduated them on their appearance,
which had produced a sensation.
When all the guests were assembled, ,
Allie slipped from the room. Harry
Grey was tie first to miss her, and be-
ing anxious to secure her as a partner
for the first waltz, he went in search of
her, Miss Graham assisting him.
He soon returned with lady on his
arm-a rare vision Of loveliness; attired
in u light drab silk, which fell in gilt
tering folds :arouMd her; slight figure.
Her golden hair was q bewildering
mass Of curls, braids and putfs, and
would have done credit to a Partisan
hair.dresser.
Forget me-nots were peeping from
the folds of silk in her dress, forget
me -nOts confined the lace at her throat
and lay caressingly in the shining hair.
lie led her to the piano. where, as if
by magic piles of music had found
their way. and sitting down, she sci Ct
ed the Reverie from Beethoven, the
composition that had puzzled Gertrude
Baxter, and struck the grand chords
with the ease of an accomplished mu-
sician. The music seemed endowed
with almost super-human power Of ex-
pression-thrilling, soulful. Once the
player glanced ut the doorway where
stood Hugi, Baxter with his earnest
gaze bent on her, and the light Of !,
glad recognition shining il his eyes.
The music ceased and the company
clamored for a song.
Something of your own, please,
SAID Arch Danvers nearing the piano.
Another glance ut the door way,
aud with heightened color, she COM
menced ripping accompaniment and
then i'll Il series of bird-like trills, she
sang in Il clear, well trained voice. -,
would were a Bird improvisiMg little
interludes Of wonderful melody, till
the room WAS filed with the llarmo-
nious notes Of the songstress.
Hugh Baxter listened entranced. lie
mad often eMtre@!ed her for sons,
but she had persistently refused; he
now OWNED the reason; that wonder
full voice could not we'll harmonic
with the youthful appearance of the
owner! Therefore her silence, with
the exception Of the morning when her
Joyous notes had uncOnciOusly mingled
with the cAreling of the birds.
1t all came to Hugh, AS he stood there
watching her, and What was Of vita!
Importance to him WAS, his problem
was on the verge Of being solved!
1t could he no longer fourteen and
twenty eight, but what number was
it? And the ludacity of tile question
rushed upon him rs lie saw her sur
rounded by Il crowd of admirers direct.
ly on leaving the piano.
Gertrude had found her way to- her
and Hugh heard her saying.
Naughty. naughty girl! How could
you let me pound my fingers nearly oil
and never offered assistance, when
you could render it so beautifully
| and that too, when I cut your doll
dresses for you, you awful impostOr!
Il was nothing but :. troublesome
chilli then, Miss Baxter,' replied Allie
| with q laugh, I saw you took me fol
! a cli lid the first evening of your arri-
val, and l thought what fun it would
be to act out your impression, sc
| cOaxed auntie into considering me one
and all these dear friends who were as.
founded ut first, accepted the joke and
helped me carry it out.
And it is with thankful hearts We
Welco ne you back. for we more than
once came near betraying your secret
especially when you would persist in
playing that Fairy Land Waltz 50 awk
wardly.' And they all laughed ut thu
rpcollecton; just then Harry Grey
| touched Hugh on the shoulder.
Have you solved the mystery, Mr.
Baxter?'
Hugh made some laughing reply
| in fact lie was so nearly dazed, Il,
hardly knew what he did say. On,
thing he knew however, was that III
wanted 10 get: through that bevy o.
chattering young folks without pos
tive rudeness. and was congratu}atln(
himself on his success, when the musi,
| struck up and she was whirled away
ira waltz; and going t" Miss R*ynor
lugl, had the doubtful satisfaction o.
stepping il measure ~ the sam,
| niISlc.
'>uc!, masqntra'ling is perfectly dis
griceful!' exclaimed Miss RaynOr, du
ring Il pause. perhaps she thinks WI
will fall down and worship her as these
| villagers seem tn do
Surely, yo,, do not condemn her fol
a little harmless amusement
The dear innocent! perhaps you tot
are one Of the moths I've heard o1
somewhere
'Perl,aps.' answered Hugh absently
tl!en his arm encircletl her silken waist
and they tioatcd away with tie waltz
ers. Freed at last, Hugh found hi.
way to Allies side.