The clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1883-1888, 1884-12-17


No; never want to put myself in u
mans power"
That sounds very severe from such pref
" lips, Miss Snow, though don't know hgt
that you are right. Marriage more often
means misery than happiness"
CHAPTER III.
Two days later Mr.. Penfold asked Dor
othy if she had any commissions for town
as he was going there that morning.
Dorothy looked startled, and said:
Going away9 | am sorry. When win
! you return?'
''On New Years Eve. | thought parhau1
+ you might have commission forme. Isltafl
/ GO to oxford-street, where all the swell
shops arr."
Ally was busy decking Christnas-tres:
+ Dorothy was engaged in dressing dolls Size
/ coiored up and said nervously:
/ 4 wish might trouble you 20 get me 4
hat and dress from Jays; have the
money for them, and can send the measure
ments."
How independent you are. I suppose
you want black, If am to go to JAYS. II is
neutrality-suspicious., is it not? Are you
M mourning, child?''
Yes"
For near and dear friend?"
For the nearest and dearest friend one
can possess. can't talk about it now-it
hurts"
Forgive me, child, and let me have your
letter Of instructions soon. My train starts
at noon, and | have business in Cardiff.
Wait moment Miss Snow. Send the child
ava > wish to speak TO you.'
Dorothy rose and said:
Ally, run into my room and bring down
big bunch of holly-berries you VIII see on
the table. ! want to make a holly-berry
basket"
The child ran away, and Mr.. Penfold put
his hands on Dorothy's shoulders and said
earnestly:
Miss Snow, whatever you may have to
tell will make no difference. \ on may count
me your friend always. But that is not
what | want to tell you"
You know that when brought you here
1t was very late, or early, which you like 10
call ii, and only old Agnes and James were
sitting UP for me-One to get me some sup
per, if needed it, the other to put away my
horse. All the maids were fast asleep.
We'll, thinking you might not wish to be
followed, and knowing how gossip gets
atoat made Agnes and Jem promise to
keep silent about the manner in which You
came here, TO avoid chatter.
1t is known among the servants that [
am looking for governess. Now, l wish
you to let me tell them you came here as
goyarneSs. Let them think | went TO meet
you at Cardiff, and when the things you re-
quire are sent from London, let them sup
pose that your luggage has arrived.
Il will get 4 trayeling-box for you, and II
you will write a list, ii can come back full.
When we come TO an understanding, if You
decide to stop as Ally's teacher, all will be
plain sailing"
How good you are to me- Mr.. Penfoldr
Not better than you deserve, l am sure,
Miss Snow. BY the look of trouble in your
eyes, it is time some one was good to you.'
Mr.. Penfold went into the hail and said
to the housemad:
Jane, If Miss Shows luggage arrives
while she is from home, ask Mrs. Garth to
pay the carriage. Miss Snow did not know
| should meet her, or how she would man
age, so she left them to follow, and being
Christmas-time, L suppose they have been
delayed
The girl curtsed and went to tell the
house-keeper, Agnes Garth.
And Agnes smiled to herself and mutter-
ed
OH the power of a pretty facet The
master would not be 50 cunning on her ac-
count If he did not admire her"
Agnes" said Mr. penfold, appearing
suddenly before the old dame, II am obIig-
ed to go to London on business. l shall be
back on New Years Eve.
while | am away, guard my child jeal-
ously. None know better than You do the
danger that besets her. If | were to lose
her l should go mad. 1 would rather see
her in her coffin than in the power of that
bad woman, her mother.
Are you sure the child did dream on
Christmas night? Are you sure the dream
if dream it were-had not a substance"'
Old Agnes looked bothered, but answer
ed boldly:
"Of course it was only dream, sir; don't
worry about it. I'll take care of the child;
no one shall harm hair of her head. Be
sides, she has Miss Snow now, which makes
it impossible for anyone to approach her
unknown. l watch her by day, Miss Snow
watches her BY night.
"A child could not be better cared for.
bless her pretty face! l would be the last
to wish her away; why, she is the sunshine
Of the house.
mind you take plenty Of wraps and your
flannel night-shirt; you should never sleep
in a strange bed without flannel it prevents
damp. Shall | put up some whisky and
sane wiches?''
NO, prefer to get out for what | want.
We wait ten minutes at Gloucester, you
know. Goodbye"
He was buttoning his gloves as he spoke
and Ally came running after him for a last
kiss. He lifted the child in his arms fond
ly, and said:
BE good, darling, and do what Miss
Snow wishes. VIII bring you home q big
pictnre-book.'
"You dear papav'
You dear Ally he said a. he gave hera
hug and stood her down on the do0rmat
The snow was falling outside, and tho
scenery seemed desOlate in tie extreme.
From an upper window Dorothy watched
him away with strange heartsinkur yet
he was to return soon, and she knew no
cause for fear.
When he had gone she called Ally, and
they busted themselves over the Christmas
tree, which was to be sent to the sick chill
dren at the infrmary and Dorothy man
aged to tell lot Of pretty anecdotes Of sick
! children she had seen.
The day passed pleasantly enough, and
Ally was put to bed by Dorothy own white
| hands. When she had said her prayers she
| asked Dorothy 10 put her head down beside
/ her till she was asleep.
Dorothy did so, and fell asleep herself, %
| find. when she awoke, that she had q stiff
/ neck, and that the light had gone out, and
that there was someone besides herself and
4 Ally IN the room,
/ Who is that2' she cried out, as the
1 moonlight, clear and frosty, showed shad-
/ owy shape standing beyond the window.
! No answer came.
| Dorothy felt creepy, but fearing for the
/ child, summoned up her courage, and felt
/ for the matches on the dressing-table.
The blind was not drawn, and the moon
/ light shone full upon her as her eyes sought
the glass, and saw looking over her shOul-
der dark revengeful face, full Of hate and
| menace
A smothered cry escaped Dorothy; she
| turned and tried 10 catch at the form, but
! heavy blow felled her senseless to the
ground, where she lay she knew not how
long, and awoke dazed and faint, with the
peaceful moonlight shining upon her, and
/ all the house silent.
Size rose and found it was late; then She
crept shuddering back 10 the parlor 70 find
old Agnes making up the fire.
WHY where have YOU been, Miss Snow