Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1883-02-24
gests such possibilities Of passionate feel.

that dies away, and after it comes fut-
tering at the lower end OF the long room
there stands the entrance door, and Black
wood, glancing in It's direction, says,
lazily:
1.-The Claremont people at last, and the
General I"
Mrs. Stamer, thus reused from her re-
verie, turns to her companion. 1.-THE Cen
eral," she says, with a slight touch OF
amusement in her tone and then, as if i'm.
PEELED by some absurd curiosity, she rises
and glances down the room to where the
last corners stand talking to Mrs. Vyvyan.
A tall, soldierly. looking man with clear
cut features, heavy mustache, and very
mournfui eyes is most conspicuous among
the group He is grave to a fault, bat
now, even as she looks, he smiles, and his
smile is full of beauty, and transforms him
in one Instant from middle age to youth.
"Heis younger than one would expect In
a General" says Captain Biackwood, with
out any particular interest in his tone,
" though real live Generals, to tell the
truth, are few and far between in Pulling
ham. He-by Jove y
Heis barely in time to catch Mrs. Stsmer
in his arms as she sways forward and falls
in dead faint. caused by the heat, no
doubt.
1t is the simplest thing in the world to
get her out of the room and up stairs to
Mrs. Vyvyan's bed, without sensation of
any kind. One or two of the old women
guests, seeing what has happened, go with
her, and as for the rest, they know nothing
of the mishap that has befallen the mis-
tress OF The Holmes until several hours
later.
Time flies. The General is naturally the
hero of the hour, coming fresh from
Afehanistan. By and by the young PEG.
pie take to dancing in the grand old hall,
and the General-who has laughingly de-
clined to trip unless he can find partner
of his own age, and what woman will ac-
knowledge to that ?-steps out on the bal
cony and gazss thoughtfully upon the
sleeping garden. All is peace-a great
calm mas fallen upon the world. 1t seems
almost as if ever-ready sin has sunk to
rest the lake nipples, the moonbeams
shiver, the flowers sleep; no sound comes
to move the intense quiet of the hour.
But what is this?
A little form-is it angel or fairy p
comes slowly up to the General across the
stone balcony. Psusing near him, it lifts
it's large eyes confidently to his face. 1t is
the child Dalce, who has grown weary
with her play, and would fain be at rest
within her snowy bed. He can touch her
if he will but put forth his hand. Invol-
unfairly he does so, and drawing her to
him, gazes into her small face.
As he does go his own changes; heavy
pallor shines through the bronze an Indian
sun has laid upon his cheek. Raising Ter
he takes her impetuously to where the
light from the many lamps within must
fall upon her and illumine her baby fea-
lures. Who is she like who ALAS
too well he knows. His breath comes
with painful rapidity, film gathering be-
fore his eyes shuts out from them the little
face he wants to see.
"Your name, child, your name p he
says hoarsely, so hoarsely, indeed, that the
words are lost to her. She shakes her
head YEARLY, and looks with the sleepy
but uncertain interest OF moment upon
the gay scene within. The Generals eyes
are wild, yet, strange to say, the child be-
trays no fear. She only nestles little
closer to him, and slips an arm round his
neck, and lays enc OF the fairest heads in
Christendom upon his shoulder.
''I am tired" she says. 81 wish
mamma would take me home"
"Where is your mother 2 asks ne, ca
gerly.
"In the drawing ROOM" replies the
child, as her little bead grows heavier.
elf you see her, call her"
The General cssts a piercing glance
around the room. He can see nothing that
may alleviate the uneasiness that has full
possession of his breast "Tell me your
name, my little one. he says gently.
"Dulcs Stamer," replies the drowsy
fairy. After which confession she sinks
into placid sleep within his arms.
Finding seat near him, the General
slowly takes possession of it. Il is deep in
the embrasure of the old-fashioned window,
and is hidden from the room by curtains
that hang heavily. Here he sits nursing
the child tenderly; with infinite care he
SO disposes the little rounded limbs and
dainty body that her sleep may be sounder.
With unspeskable tenderness he gazes
upon the silken lashes and rosy lips,
through which the breath of life GIBBS and
flows calmly, evenly.
So an hour passes, and then the curtains
are pdTIeu, anu MIS- yNyah AVOhihS Al,
stares at the tableau that presents itself to
her view, A veteran and an infant If
homogeneous, it is at least charming.
General !" she whispers with a low
laugh. sis it so you have been enter
tanned Who made you nurse tonight %
"She came to me of her own accord, ="
says the General, somewhat proudly !;
"she gave herself into my keeping with
the most fattering trust. If you don't
want her, don't take her from me. have
seldom been go happy az have been to-
night.
f'That is very sweet of you, says Mrs.
Vyvyan but 1 must let you off duty
now. Dulce's mother waits her. Sac is
going home"
''Then, let me take her to her carriage, :"
says the General, strangely loath to surren.
der his little friend to any one.
"No, no, says Mrs. Vyvyan earnestly.
"MTs. Stamer has not been well, and go
wants to get away quietly. A strange face
might upset her," So saying, she stoops,
and lifting Dalce with the utmost gentle
ness, bears her away from the General.
ibid you enjoy yourself. darling !"
asks Mrs. Stamer, as she and the child are
rolling home swiftly beneath the light of
the quiet stars, through the scented lanes,
heavy with dew and moonshine.
"Yes, so much" says the little one.
"But went to sleep; and he was very
good to me, and nnrsed me so comfort
ably"
"Who did, darling she asks indiffer-
emily.
1.-THE strange man"
"What man p cries her mother, with as
much force az though some one had struck
her. A passionate throb takes her heart /;
all her pulses beat unanimously.
"The tall, thin man, says the child,
simply "they called him the General p
''Ah !" says Mrs. Stamer. She inhales
her breath quickly, making sound like a
sob, and leans back in the carriage.
ITO be concluded nert sreek.
Our INNER NEIGHBoRs Our knowl.
edge of the part played by the more highly
organized parasites of the helminthoid type
has been greatly increased within recent
vearz If ia noVx n weii.known fact for