Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1884-05-25
CHAPTER XVI

Chow glad we are to have you back, .
Liska sand, when we were comfortably
settled in the library once more. II COW
eted every moment of the time you spent
in RysfOth."
''Fm afraid you are a very selfish little
girl l laughed, pinching her chin.
1T is lonely without you, George. -
Charlotte admitted. 81 hope it VIII be a
long time before you are called away
again. Liska has picked up some new
friends since you left u.s.
'Ah" looking questiOningly into the
child's face.
1.-The very queerest people," she an
swered, impulsiVely. ga family of Ger
mans. l am the only one in the neighbour
hood who can speak to them IN the NUT
ter-sprache,' you know. The mother has
consumption, | think. 1t is for her health
that they have come South"
CIV Working peOple?" | asked.
''NO, sir. Artists. The father is a
painter. Oh, it is such pleasant family.
just father and mother and daughter
Herr Won Werner" she continued, see
ing that l was about to ask the name.
'NOn Wernerrn / reDeated. "Then
they are not common people. Their COM
ing is a fortunate thing for you, at any
rate, Liska. You need not forget your
German now; and you can study your IA
vorite art if your friend will teach you"
At these words Charlotte smiled.
''That is permission given too late, my
brother" she said. ''Liska is already
making a studio of her room. So far l
cannot see that she has got beyond daub-
ing her dresses. | guess that is an inia-
tive step, however"
"But you can't laugh at the German,
auntie," Liska cried, triumphantly.
'You are very goOd-natured not to
heed her teasing, little one. You keep up
your courage and bedaub yourself to your
hearts content. PYe presentiment that
the old painter will prove a God-send."
After a few days [ yielded to Liska's
persuasion, and called with her at the
Werner cottage.
pani0nable people, and were soon accept
ed in the easy, informal manner which
characterized life at the Farm.
"1Ou have never said anything to me
about the little remembrances your moth
er sent; ] said to Liska, one day when
we were walking on the beach.
Il could mott she answered, tears COM
ing quickly into her eyes. MY mother
disappointed me, and l did not like to say
So"
SIN what way, dear?"
81 looked for long, loving message and
perhaps her portrait, that | might have
her face before my eyes as it is always in
my heart. But she sent me instead a lit
tie enameled lOcket with strange face
a mans face-in it. She said in her short
note that it was the picture of one who
had once been very dear to her. but who
was dead now, and she wants me to keep
it for her because its presence near her
gave her pain. She sent me also sealed
letter which she trusted to my honor to
keep unopened until my sixteenth birth
day.
"Will you let me see the Iocket when
wereturn?"
81 can show it to you now"
AS she spoke she drew from around her
neck a little chain from which there hung
the locket with a crest in diamonds on one
side.
1 touched the spring, and looked long at
the face which met my gaze. A noble
face; the same in contour as the face of
the girl by my side.
at is a very noble face, Liska. Have
you never seen one like it?"
eyes. 1t is very much like a Count
CareYna whom we knew ON the conti-
nent. l think if the Count had had
younger brother this might have well
passed tor his picture"
Il like that face,' l continued, looking
away from her, seaward. "Surely that
man could never have been other than no
BILE and good"
Il find myself growing more and more
in love with it," she answered, frankly.
Il never saw a grander face, except that
of Col. McRhea"
''WOuld you like me to keep the sealed
letter, my dear?' L asked, as we drew
near the Farm.
"Oh, shall be very glad. 1t is cruelty
fascinating to me. Pm afraid l shall
break the seal some day without knowing
what l am doing. 1t seems to be calling
me always"