The Penn's Grove record., 1884-12-06
NEARLY LOST.

NEARLY LOST.
Snow then, Master JOhEnle, are YOU
going to stand still or are you not 2"
II are not ~ was Master Johnnie's
emphatic reply !; and, freeing himself
by a dexteIous plunge from Rachel's
horny hands and prickly h%air-brush, he
disappeared through the nursery door
and down the stairs while Rachel, left
to herself, quietly replaced the brush in
its drawer and proceeded to overhaul
Master Johnnle's Sunday garments.
He was the youngest of five that had
passed through her hands, aud, in spite
of her frequent seedlings and occasional
smart slaps, the pride of her heart. The
young scamp made his appearance III
the breakfast-room as my mother opened
a letter bearing a foreign pOst-mark.
Robert" she said, passing the letter
over to my father, there is Violet's
answ She says William cannot think
of coming home for the next three
years and, as she does not consider
Japan exactly the fitting place for a
young lady to be brought up in, she is
only too glad to accept my offer of look
ing after Esme, hard as it will be to
part with her. Boys'-turning to US
''youT cousin Esme Darrell is coming
to live with us for some time. i hope
to goodness" she added to herself,
''yOu will know how TO be civil to herlS
The announcement was received in a
somewhat gloomy manner.
Bother - calculated Bob, with his
mouth full Of buttered toast.
KDaYka, an aoanVaufnnnn should
say" drawled Ruthven, the swell of
the family.
"What IN the world is a girl to do
here 7" | inquired while Tom NUT.
tered something equivalent to II hate
girls"
Six-year-old Johnnie, from his high
chair, demanded
''Will she be very nice, mamma ?"
"You are the only gentleman among
them all, Johnnie. l hope she will be
very Inice /; and, at all events, she is
your cousin, and you must all be kind
to her, and try to make her happy when
she Is 80 far away from home"
''Why, the child must have almost
arrived by this time p said my father,
LAYING down the letter. 81 saw in yes
terday's paper that the Hesperus was
daily expected, and that is the vessel
your sister says she is coming by. Boys,
which of you will come with me to
meet your cousin 7"
Bob was deep in the Times, and
Ruthven examining the state of the
weather SO | volunteered my services.
"All right, Harry; be ready by lunch
eon-time, and We'll take the two-o'clOck
- n.tNaNI AHanH llynly xrrn pBn1
have to stop there a couple of days, as
l suppose the poor little thing will be
tired and knocked upafter her journey
Four days later saw us back at Gress-
brook Station. The carriage was wait
ing for us and, while my father placed
a slight dark-eyed girl III it, | saw to
the luggage, and then took my seat OPP
posite to my cousin.
Don't you think the Devenshire
lanes very pretty, Esme ?" | asked.
"Yes, very" she answered, aud then,
in a Misunderstanding tone, added, sis it
far to the Manor House, Harry ?"
"Oh, no-no more than half an
hours drive ]"
After that we relapsed into silence,
for / saw she was tired.
1t was dusk when we reached home.
AS we drove up the avenue, l could see
a fire burning brightly IN the drawing
room but the other rooms appeared to
be in darkness, and the lamps were not
yet lit. My mother met us at the
threshold.
"My darling child, dear Violets
daughter, l cannot tell you how wek
come you are - she said, as she folded
her In her arms.
Johnnie was by my mothers side /;
and in the distance | caught sight of
Tom peering out from behind a door to
get a look at the newcomer. Esme
was drawn into the warmth and light
of the lire, and my mother began re-
moving her wraps.
"Why, Esme, l had no idea you were
so tall l fancied you a little thing of
thirteen or fourteen, in a short frock.
How old are you, dear 2"
81 was sixteen some time before l
left home."
"Wha a pity % sighed Johnnie from
the depths of an armchair.
"What is a pity % asked my father,
laughing.
PITY she be so old" he answered,
shaking his head sadly "'cause now
she can't play with me-"
Don't he afraid, Johnnie-we shall
have plenty of fun together. You
must teach me all your games said
Esme, much amused.
We were still sitting ia the freight
when Bob and Rue came in from shoot
ing. My father introduced them to
Esme and | saw the surprised look on
both their faces-for they too had ex-
pected to see a child instead of the tall
graceful girl who rose at the introduce
ton. Ruthven held her hand in his
a little longer and more warmly, /
thought, than the occasion required,
and was soon deep in conversation with
her, asking all about her voyage, and
talking of India.
Esme soon settled down to our ways;
and my mother wondered how she had
got ON all these years without a daugh-
ter. She took Johnnie's lessons into
her own hands and the child, l think,
would have died for her.
"Why, Esme, how jolly you are look
ing l' cried Tom and | in a breath one
day, when she came into the library.
dressed for a ride.
"You are a perfect DIANA" said
Ruthyen, bowling low, with his hand on
his heart.
II thank you, Mr., Ruthven Gore"