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


thrown in his path.
The day passed peacefully away, and the
nighttime came brilliant and starlight
Little Ally had tired herself out over A
snapdragon after late dinner, and Dorothy
had carried her off TO bed, heard her pure
prayer, and had stolen back to the cheerful
Sltting-rOom where her host sat recalling
the sight of the fair Young face as il bent
yearningly over his mOtherleSs child.
He had noticed, too, how coniidingly Anv
had nestled in the Kind arms of her new
friend, and he felt that the instincts of n
child are to be trusted
He drew chair to the fireside, and said
softly:
MY little girl is very lonely; you have
been perfect godsend to her to-day. am
so glad to have you here. | dreaded today.
and 10! it has passed so pleasantly that
now regret it has flown so fast. You look
very pale, are you tired?'
Not at all. Shall play for you9'
Il wish you would, love music"
He hastily opened a grand piano that
stood back in the shadows, lighted the can
dies, and placed pile of music before her
marked with the name of "A ison Penfold."
Dorothy picked out one called "A Year
Ago" and as she sang tears splashed heavi-
ly down upon her little white hands. The
words touched her so deeply.
As shacOncluded, the sweet clear voice
faltered and ended in a sob Pierce bent
over her eompassionately saying;
Poor child, | fear the song has stirred
sad thoughts in you. Play this one for me-"
He put song in front OF her and sang
out jovially.
While he sang, Dorothy heard another
sound, shrill and heart-piercmg-a childs
terrified cry. She flew up the stairs TO the
pretty bedchamber where she had placed
the child.
Ally was standing trembling with fright
at the bottom of the bed. At sight of Dor
othy she flew to herwith outstre ched arms,
crying:
''Oh, Miss Snow. have been so very
frightened. A dreadful woman, all in black,
like bogey, came and woke me by kissing
me with cold lips. Then when | cried out
she ran away SO quick"
Poor little Ally! you have been dream
ing" said Dorothy, taking the child in her
arms.
just then old Agnes came in in great
flutter, saying:
'Heyday what's the matter, Miss Ally?
why do you cry out so? You've had too
much to eat, l expect and it has made you
have one of your foolish dreams. Hush now /;
let me put you to bed, you'll take cold"
The feeble light of the lamp showed the
anxious face of the old lady, and the fright
ened face of the child. Ally repeated her
tale. Agnes shook her head and seemed
vexed, for she said sharply:
always the same foolish fancy, Miss
Ally; how many times have | told you it is
but a dream"'
"She is too young TO understand the mean
ing Of dreams. Agnes
Dreams have no meaning, miss"
II suppose not; but it is hard to believe
that when awakening from vision of ter
ror. Shut your eyes, little pet, | will sit
with you till you can go to sleep again"
Take me TO your bed, Miss Snow
MAY |, Agnes?'
The woman looked vexed, but led the way
with light.
At the foot Of the stairs they met Mr..
Penfold, who said sharply:
What is wrong with the child, Agnes?
Come to papa, my darling"
"She has been dreaming, sir, that's all {;
and Miss Snow is taking her to sleep with
her."
'WiI she not disturb you, Miss SNOWY
''Oh no; should be glad to have her if |
may"
Certainly you may, you are very kind.
Til get her warm first though. VIII you sit
in papa's lap, Ally, till you are warm?'
The child nestled under her fathers chin
and looked at Dorothy with great scared
eyes. Mr. Penfold took her to the fire and
sat down, look of pain and perplexity in
his eyes.
Dorothy held her hands to the blaze, then
rubbed the child's feet, smiling up into the
little face and telling all sorts of quaint lit
tie stories to divert her mind.
Mr.. Penfold kept silent for some time,
then he said:
do you think, Mss Snow, that child
can constantly dream the same thing with
out there being some foundation for the
fancy?'
Il think it is very probable Ally had indi-
geston. and had nightmare. / think when
a child is timid, it is best to allow her to
sleep with someone; then, when she awakes
in fright, there is someone to comfort her
and reason with her.
.She shall sleep with me tonight; when ]
am gone, let her share room with one o.
the maids till she has grown out Of this trick
of dreaming. Poor baby. she misses her
mother, perhaps"
Mr.. Penfold frowned, but said nothing,
only pressed his child closer in bis arms,
and looked into the fire.
Dorothy was sorry she had mentioned the
child's mother, she feared IL looked like
curiosity. so she began to talk very fast, and
was rewarded by kind smile from her
host. who said with an evident effort.
sAlly must not miss her mother; if she is
good; she shall have another some day."
Don't want anyone but papa" said Ally
sleepy.
Mr. Penfold smiled and kissed the drowsy
eyes with passionate tenderness,
In a second the child was asleep.
''Shali / carry her up, Mr.. PenfolGY II
she sleeps here too long, she will rouse ur
| directly you lay her down. See, here is Z
soft shawl. wrap her in that: the cold sheet
| will startle her.
| Dorothy placed the shawl round the child
| and beld out her arms to take her.
! Mr.. Penfold shook his head, saying:
Il will carry her, she is too heavy for you
/ Take the light for me, child; l don't want t,
disturb the servants, they are so merry"
Dorothy did as he desired, walking il
| front with the candle.
The best bedchamber was on the sam
floor as the drawing-room, or best parlor
as Agnes called it.
| The passage was panelled with shining
| Odh. d sui Ii1Si
| footsteps.
| They passed door that was partly oper
and as Dorothy looked in she distinguishe
the figure of woman fit away among tn
| shadows. Dorothy did not start OF scream
but feeling of alarm stirred her heart ney
| ertheless.
Mr.. Penfold laid his child tenderly on th
| soft white bed, and left Dorothy to tuck he
4 up costly.
Dorothy heard the smothered sound {
his footsteps as he went back to the sttin.
room. then an indescribable sensation {
alarm seized her.
She was afraid to pass the room whel
she had seen that shadowy shape aion
She tried to feel brave, and twice took u
the light and put it down again, when sf
heard gentle knock at the door, and oil
Agnes's voice saying:
rs there anything you want Miss Sno
-an extra pillow, or more bed-clothes? ID
you lie warm last night? Miss Ally is veI
chilly child
Dorothy assured the woman she had
she wanted, and made her come in to tai
a peep at the rosy sleeping face of the chlis
Poor bairni'' said Agnes, putting one
J Ally's little dimpled hands under the Des
clothes tenderly; .she Is tiTnid thing, aII
her papa pets her till she Is fuii OF "nln
and fancies. She'll be all right with YOU
4 hn "