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

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Mr.. Penfold did not return for some time.
Dorothy saw him talking to Agnes in the
path before the door, and wondered what
could have made him look so strangely eX-
cited.
He did not come back to the sittingroom,
but shut himself up in a little room leading
out of the hall that he used as a study.
Dorothy turned up the lights, stirred the
fire, reused Ally from her sleep and made
her smart then returned to the room in
time TO pour out tea, and had the satisfac-
ton of shaking hands with Mr.. Penfold,
who seemed his usual jolly self again, only
that his eyes rarely left his little daughters
face.
After tea he found Ally impatient to have
the book he promised her, so he brought il
TO her, and Dorothy had to read it.
Then they discussed some of Caldecott's
quaint pictures, and in pause Mr.. Penfold
said:
II executed all your commissions, Miss
Snow; your luggage will arrive tonight,
and have some change to give you out of
your ten-pOund note"
"Nonsense! you cannot have, If the peo-
pie sent all | wanted"
'Well, we shall see, Miss Snow. | am
clever at buying l can tell you"
Dorothy did not ask him why he had
flown away, or if he had found the woman
but she wondered vaguely who she could
be.
Pierce said his business in London was
happily settled, and he seemed 10 look re-
lieved when he spoke of il.
When her box came later on Dorothy
found it contained all she required, and
everything of the best and prettiest.
When she had seen Ally to bed, and lock-
ed her door, taking the key away, she went
down, her cheeks pink as a blush-rose, her
eyes shining like stars.
Something was stirring in her heart glad
some as a summer song.
She did not yet know by what name to
call this tender joy that glorifed all things
about her; she did not know why her heart
beat light and gay,.or why every moment
by her new friends side seemed happier
than the last.
In her desolation, her loneliness, her mis-
cry, her heart had gone out to him, and
made him the love-elected master of her
destiny.
She heard the sound of the piano, and Mr..
Penfold singing in mellow monotone like
bird with but one note, but that replete
with sweetness.
When she entered, full Of grateful thanks
he rose. took both her hands, and smiled on
her brightly.
She was indeed goodly sight with her
rose-pink cheeks, tender red lips, and eyes
Of starry radiance.
Mr.. Penfold felt all her beauty spell, and
rapture stirred In him that he was free TO
win her priceless love If she had heart TO
give.
SO glad and Joyous were his looks that
ten years seemed lifted from him In as many
minutes.
Come, sing for me, Miss Snow. Let us
make this New Years Eve one to remem-
Der for ever.
He took her hands and led her to the seat
he had just vacated, and babe her sing to
him something soothing, but not sad, and
telling of love, Of happiness, of bright de-
light and merry weather.
A sort of rapture rained from his eyes-a
liquid light of love; his cheeks were flush
ed, his hands trembled.
Dorothy looked at him, amazed, yet SYM
pathetic, and he said gaily:
Child, have you ever freed an imprison-
ed bird, and seen 1t soar singing to the
clouds, TO bask aud battle In the sunlight?
Have you ever looked upon one in mortal
agony when sudden relief has come and
made heaven of rest for them?"
YES Tell me, has such sweet freedom
come 70 your
ut has, ma belle. / shall begin the new
year fun of hope and promise. Before it
dies away You VIII know my history, and
sympathize with my rapture tonight. My
blood seems TO have fresh life, my heart
leaps like trout in sunny stream; life
seems all life, light, brightness, and beauty.
Are you glad for me?n
More glad than l can say. I do not UNI
derstand the cause for joy, but it is reflected
in my heart as i'm crystal mirror.r
May that pure fountain of tender wo-
manly love ever keep my image there. a
vision of delight such as / now feel. Icould
dance, sing, go mad with merrimenti What
can you think of me, child? am like a
man possessed by unquiet spirits to YOU"
ssYou are all that is good and noble to me.
Little as know you, / can believe you good
and true as steel. Some day you will trust
me with the history Of this rapturous belief.
Now / EiIl sing to you."
Her sweetplear voice rang out like .
chime a airy bells full g throbbing, dane
NJ. Penfold bent over her, watching the
49, 1neers AZ over the ivory keys.
1[nly 6gh6d Gagged nightingale when
he DfouRh 3 ~ lroxen fairy 10 his home and
unrmed h6f r. 1eart