The clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1883-1888, 1884-12-24
oned by Its length, II so, mat was ire
mendously strong kiss of theirs.


CHAPTER VI.
When you come back. papa, You will
bring me set of tea-things. won't you?'
Yes, pet, will, because you have been
so good about the circus''
Ally was perched upon her fathers knee,
Dorothy stood beside him, and looking up
at her he said:
Dora darling, you must keep TO the nurs-
cry while am away. Admit no one, and
never let Ally ont of your sight. l have
reason 70 ask this, viii explain when re-
turn. All You have to do is to trust me and
be happy. l will write directly | reach
town. and if anything happens of impor-
tance, wire to the Wanderers Club, Pail
MALI
Little Ally slipped away after favorite
doll, and Drift sat looking up at his master
with his faithful brown eyes.
Dear old chap" said Pierce, patting his
head; "he shall have silver collar for find
ing me such treasure in the snow. Dora,
You look sad, what is the matter?'
/ Dorothy's head dropped, and the unbi6-
den tears fell fast, as she said wretchedly:
''Oh, do wish you were not going away,
have presentiment that something will
happen while you are gone. My heart sinks
like lead, and oh, it does seem so hard to
1
Sweet little abSnrdity, what can harm
/ you here. if you do as wish?'
Pierce put his arm round her waist and
drew her close, resting his dark head on her
/ breast.
She pushed the hair from his forehead
| with nervous fingers, and pressed her quiv-
ering lips upon it, while he continued:
Il will return as soon as possible. Is il
/ likely anything could tempt me from you?
And when l come back l hope it will be to
\ claim my wife"
suppose Horace Middleton discovers my
/ hiding-place and asserts his authority, must
return to my wretched bondage?"
/ 'No-a thousand times mol have writ
| ten letter, that in case of an emergency
/ you must give him. l know he is mason,
and better still, knight templar; he dare
not disregard my wishes, or wrong YOU
by the code of honor among us shall
appeal to him as a brother-mason to leave
you in my charge till can see him, and tell
him if he disregards this l shall expose his
plots against the orphan of brother-mason
at Grand Lodge.
There is something beyond idle form,
you will find, dearest, in freemasonry, if the
power is tested. | do not fear that it will
fail; unless he would have his evil deeds
bazoned to the world, he dare not disre-
gard my wishes. Why, 1 don't know that
we could not make you ward in Chancery."
''Oh, don't do that! | have heard that
whatever Chancery gets hold of it never
gives up again"
Mr. Penfold smiled.
"Chancery would be without appreciation
If it could let you go after once having had
the happiness of holding you in bondage"
Ally came back crying. She had broken
IL h,,t
that it should be set and properly splinted-
a matchbox and some tape serving for
surgical purposes.
Peace being restored, Mr.. Penfold took a
tender leave of both Dorothy and Ally, and
left them with a light heart.
He afterwards wondered that no warning
voice had whispered to him that harm
would come to his dear ones
Dorothy watched him away with tear
dmmed eyes, the strange foreboding stin
weighing down her heart with a giants
hand.
Taking little Ally's hand, she went up to
the nursery, and tried to busy herself with
some needlework, but the hours dragged
heavily, and she got nervous and trembled
at every sound.
Now Pierce had left Ally in her charge,
she felt unreasonably anxious about the
child, and would not allow her out of her
sight.
Towards dusk she went to her room with
Ally in her arms.
AS she went along the passage, a woman
in dark cloak stood back to let her pass.
The light was dim, yet Dorothy knew the
woman was stranger, so she paused and
said:
Pardon me, you do not belong to the
house, believe. Tell me, which of the ser
wants do you come to see?'
II am a relation of Agnes Garth's. am
waiting for her now. How is the little lady?
Give me a kiss, Miss Ally"
The child looked closely at the woman
for the first time and uttered shrill scream.
lit is the dream-wOman, Miss Snow. Send
her away
The woman, who was young and remark
ably handsome, shrank back, her dark eyes
flashing angrily.
| Dorothy hastened to her room, trying as
she went to soothe Ally's terror.
| The child was shaking with fear, and, as
/ if it were contagious, Dorothy trembled too,
| and felt afraid of she knew not what. She
wished the night had passed, and decided
to keep Ally up till about nine, and then go
| to bed with her.
| While she was dressing, she gave the
! child her beautiful cross to play with to
! quiet her, and old Agnes tapped at the door.
''Come in," said Dorothy, pausing, brush
| in hand, just as she was about to smooth
| Ally's dark curls.
Il have come to fetch Miss Ally. Jane
wants to battle her early, as she and friend
are going to Cardiff to see the circus to-
night"
Il will bathe her and put her to bed,
| Agnes"
''It will be troubling you too much, Miss
Snow. Come, Ally, don't keep Jane wait
| ing"
mo, Ally, you must not go. Pardon me,
Agnes, but Ally is in my charge, and it is
| my pleasure TO attend to her."
Like nursemaid," said Agnes trife
insolently.
MY dignity cannot suffer in your masters
service. / have decided. You need not
waltz
Agnes went away, silent but wrathful.
| The woman still waited in the hall.
at is no use, my dear, you can't see the
| child tonight. The governess, as she styles
herself, won't allow the child to leave her a
second. Masters orders, like enough"
Curse himp'
'sHush, my grill someone will hear You.
Remember curses, like chickens, come home
to roost.'
The woman looked dreadfully disappoint-
ed, and bit her nails viciously.
but go away early in the morning, we
perform at Gloucester in two days time, 50
l shall not be able TO see Ally again. 1t is
hard 1 may not have access to my own
child"
''It is hard, l grant you, Alison; but you
brought the punishment on yourself"
81 have good mind to take her away by
force. She is but a baby, l have right to
her."
'You forfeited that right when you wrong.
ed her father Surely you would not make
him suffer more than he has done alreadyi
He dotes on the child; her loss would drive
him mad"
Il wish it would I'd have him writhe III
torments. l hate him9'
''You cruel woman, Alisonl He Is right
to keep the child from you. if he wants tc
make a good woman of her."
He'll never do that, she has got too mucl
of the wild gypsy blood in her veins. Sh'
is the very spit Of father"
'sMore's the pity What my sister, poo
; soul, could see in that man, can't mak'
OUT
Don't speak against father, aunt, or
shall hate you. He is good to me, whom al
the world reviles; he is proud Of his hand
some girl, as he calls me-
!. Handsome is as handsome does, 10 N,
thinking. 1t is a rough night and bitterl
cold; shall get you something before yoi
5 venture out?''
mo; want nothing but sight of m
/ child Food or drink under this roof woul
choke me. I'll go and sit byte fire, though
it is cold, it cuts one to the heart"
/ Alison followed Agnes down to COS
room, which was called the housekeeper'
u parlor Alison took OF her hat, a show
!, arrangement of feathers and velvet, and T,
E moved her long sealskin mantle.
y Seen by the bright light, she was gran