Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1884-07-24
FLORIBEL

L.
that She would not fall or be Knocked
over by Tie crowd: and il was really
amusing TO see so tiny a thing todd
ling along, uttering little cries of de-
light at the numerous objects which
pleased her on the street
She was beautifully dressed in some
silky material Of delicate gray, and
richly embroidered cloak nearly COW
cred her little form.
She had long light hair which fell
IN silken waves upon her shoulders,
and the sweetest eyes.
/ was so attracted by her that | fol
lowed them to the Square, where tie
nurse sat down on one OF the benches
upder tree, while the little one
froljcked around. / took a seat near
by and watched her innocent gam
bols. At last | could not help saying
10 tie nurse
"What a dear little thing you have
there And what a little beauty
ayes, ma am" asserted the nurse
pleased atmy admiration Of her young
charge. "And so good; she doesen
give bit of trouble"
What is her name" l enqulrcd.
"Foribel'
"Oh. wLataaweetname! Flombel"
called come 20 me, come! and !
cloppcd my hands 10 attract her at
tenton.
She stopped her chase Of the
brown spauows and looked at me
shyly ,..,.,.. ,
Come here, you sweet little thing.
! said, in as entcug a voice as posi-
bic. holding out my hands.
She'll come to you, ma am, SAID
the nurse; "shc is not bit AFRAID OF
strangers
And as she spike the little one came
running down the walk toward me,
with short, uncertain steps. stoop-
ed and picked her up and sat her on
my lap, kissing the dear little face,
and smoothing back the long silken
locks that had fallen over her eyes in
her play.
She could not talk plainly, in fact,
not at Eall to be ineligible, but seem
ed TO understand all that was said to
her. She was so strinngly pretty
that she attracted the attention of the
passers by, many of whom, especially
the ladies, stopped to give her pas
sing caress She sat on my lap for
some time, quite contentedly; dc
lighted with watching the groups Of
children trundling their hoops or
skipping by on their roller-skates
At last ! gave her back to the nurse
and went ON my way But the sweet
picture remained IN my mind and
haunted me,
"Oh, that she were mineW ejacu-
lated. How / could love her!
What an intense source of pleasure
she would be to my lonely heart ~
had been married SIX years, but
had never had a child; and possessing
avery ailectonate and demonstratve
disposition, often longed for some
thing 10 bestow my CareSSCs upon
something to interest me during the
long hours every day when my hus-
band was away at his Office. We
were wealthy but in the midst of our
riches, my heart often felt void.
| wondered if / would ever meet
the dear little thing again; but the
very next day there she was in the
Square. But two little girls had her
IN charge this time, and they seemed
to watch over her with the tenderest
interest. Vet little FIorbel was quite
Independent, ard as the children rol-
led about ON their skates, would run
and holic among them, though they
tool, care that she was never hurt.
/ found out that she lived i'm the
house from which | had first seen
her coming out with the nurse, and
many a time | walked by there only
to catch a glimpse of my little favo-
rite Smotmcs | saw her at the
window, and would KISS my hand to
her, and She would nod her little
head in return TILL her hair tumblcd
over her eyes. She soon came TO
know me, | net her so often in the
Square and took so muchuotlce other.
Generally she was with the nurse, or
with the little girls, but sometimes
She was with a tain, stately lady with
very black hair, and eyes of the same
deep hue, Inever spoke to her when
III company with the lady lest tue
latter should consider it a liberty.
After a while / began TO feel that I
had lost day, If one passed without
my meeting little Floubclaud having
a play with her. / told my husband
Of my uewfomd source of pleasure.
and he laughed and said I'll was lust
like all the women.
My husband is very kindaud udul
gent TO me, but lacking IN symra
thy.
"Oh, Charles" / sighed 'If sh,
were only mine would never
weary of rcttrg and playing wiu
her.
well Jennie, pet me, said MY
husband.
but you're away all day. and
can't pet you i'm tile way could tm
dear little thing actually cove
her l wonder il its wrong to d,
soln
why, my dear. sadmy husband
IF you want oueof the things So bad
~, l dare say | can buy You one at
reasonable price Suppose we adyer
tise.
mo, indeed, | returned FOR
want only tins one the httlc creatur