The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-12-14

this prattling Minerva by my side At the so
licitati ons of Earnscliffe and the entreaties of
the enthusiastic little actress, had consented
for her appearance, and with heavy heart had
kissed the sensitive mouth, au revoir, and
brushed the glistening tear-drop from her eye
They had gone and now had come success to
the best of fellows and our little girl.
Weeks slipped by and the first snow OF the
winter dropped upon the frozen earth. Enthu-
siastic letters from Eafnsclffe, and quaint post
scripts of loving words from my darling, reached
me. How charming she must be in the part,
l thought-a waif cared for by the tramp lost
IN the great city, found by the recollections of
his songs. could see her as she nestled against
Eranscliffes breast. That night l went to my
couch, with a vague misery at my heart; my
sleep was troubled and my dreams morbid:
throughout them all could see tho face of my
little protege. When the gray light of morning
aroused me, felt startled, and hastily dressed,
filed with premenition of impending calamity.
At 10 o'clock | received telegram that our
darling was i'll knew my presentiments were
correct Here was bound by this illness and
could not come to her. | answered and babe
them bring her home. Shall ever forget the
two days that followed-my irascible temper,
my intense anguish At last she came, delirous,
and with darkened rings around her eyes Her
mot her, poor woman, was well nigh distracted,
for throughout her checkered career sickness
had never efallen her darling
Delirium at last left her and reason resumed
its sway 'Ah, it is you, my good uncle" she
said with wan smile as l bent over her She
would recover, for the physician told me the
crisis was past. She grew stronger How cheer
full it was to see her. in her little white wrapper,
sitting near the red glow of the fire. How
ethereal she looked, and how wistfully she
dreamed. What thoughts We're uppermost in
her baby mind As we sat alone one evening
she clambered into my lap and whispered IN my
ear
'Can tell you secret"
eyes, darling" l wondered what she would
reveal.
III. sy1cL
once? Don't think me troublesome, but want
to see him just once, and hear him sing my lul-
laby, for dear Uncle, am going to die"
trembled. ''To die-nonsense, my darling"
Her pathetic eyes were turned to mine and her
little hand was pressed to her heart
Eyes, dear Uncle, like little Eva l hear the
voices of the angels.
pressed her in my arms. Yes, she was so
like the heroine-how foolish-still, would sat
isfy her morbidness
''Ill write to Earny" She kissed me. Would
he come the whim of a childY Would ne
come, at my peremptory telegram If her words
should prove true2 He was mounting into popu-
lar favor his very fortune was at stake. Would
he cancel his engagementsl He had constantly
communicated with me- He loved her Yes, l
felt that Earnscliffe would come. If the worst
if not traitor-then-my thoughts were black.
That night / wrote to him and the next morn
ing told my darling. What lovely smile passed
the wan face We waited. No word from
EarnScliffe, and sne grew worse, and faded like
a plucked fowret. Had my letter miscarried!
The physician informed me that evening that
her representations were right; she was not of
this world l telegraphed Earnscliffe. In the
sick chamber we sat- the mother and |, and She
dear child with her arms around my neck, list
ened to the melancholy signing of the wind and
murmured ''Earny, Earny, will you comet Will
you Gomez The breezes seemed to mourn
requiem. In the night a tiny hand rested on
my shoulder, and started from the light slum-
Der my vigil had caused. There was heavenly
fba 10 ic Hc1a IUl1
pered. l seemed to hear the mellow voice of
Earnscliffe. She fell in sleep
The morning was heralded by a cheerful win
ter sun, but the warm rays chilled my heart.
No answer from Eornsc1iffe yet and she pining,
pinipg for him. The train rumbled in. Hooked
from the window. Through the frs l saw fig
ure approaching with hasty strides-I was not
decieved-t was "Earny." gave glad cry.
She started from her bed with flushed cheeks
and tottering limbs.
''You must not excite yourself, Bijou." She
obeyed me with kiss. Never will l forget the
meeting-the glad, hungry cry she gave when he
folded her in his arms, and the tears that rained
down from his eyes.
Are you angry, Earny that l sent for you2"
His choking voice answered No" And then
the tired head fell back on his shoulder, and the
aureola of hair, touched by the sunshine, made
her look like a rare cameo. he sang and sang
the old songs that remembered then wandered
into lullaby, tender cooling air, whose melody
soothed the nervous tremblings of the sick child.
How wonderful was his music, his influence, for
she gave great sigh and sank in slumber,
Earnsclffe looked up l came close to her, and
her mother knelt by her side. How peaceful
she looked with the fragile little hands tightly
clasped Earnscliffe touched her forehead with
his lips and then burst into tears. ! started. l
touched her wrist. She was dead. Yes This
sweet flower that heaven had transplanteG but
for day was cut down. The spirit had drifted
away so like breath of air we had not noticed,
and our little genius had passed from earth for
inf at eli hat hpd ar DO
you wonder that Earnsclifo visits met