The clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1883-1888, 1884-12-24
A WINTER NIGHT,
Found in a Snow Drift.
tcosTISUEp FROM LAST ISSUE
CHATTER V.


would take ne, and ! should so like TO go
May I?s
Ny pct, hate to refuse you anything,
but you cannot 90; you have bad cough
and the nights are so very cO!d. Ii might
XIII you, and what would poor papa do with
out his own dear little daughter? No my
dear little woman must stop at home this
time, and to reward her obedience | will
take her TO see a pantomime soon in the big
/ beautiful city where Dick Wilmington
lived; you remember what the bells said to
him?-'
Turn again, Dick Wilmington, thrice
Lord Mayor Of London.
He believed the bells like traetable
boy, and obeyed.''
Yes, / know, papa; but a circus is here,
and not to be waited for like pantomimt;;
l hate waiting"
80 do | Tor some things" said Mr. Pen
fold meaningly, as Dorothy laid her hand
On his shoulder. He turned to smile up
f0ndly into the sweet face and say: I hate
to wait for my wife, yet she says | must. :"
But you must, unless you would enrich a
villain. But don't let us talk about that. l
am sorry Ally should be disappointed; she
has heard so much about the clown, the
horses, the elephants, and host of other
wonders, that her little head is turned. Why
not take her TO morning performance?
you can wrap her up costly, and then it may
not harm her.
Il fear the risk, she is such fragile little
blossom"
DO not let me persuade you against your
better judgment, Pierce; she is so sweetly
good. know she will not fret over what
cannot be helped"
Aliy's pretty lips poutel, and she looked
so much inclined 10 fret that her ndulgeHt
papa said:
We'll, Wen think about it, pet, only be
good. have a lot Of business letters to
write, you must run away, darling, and let
Miss Snow teach you your letters; You viii
soon be able to read that grand book | gave
you the other day"
The child daEc1d away holding Dorotliy's
hand, and chattering in her pretty baby
way.
She was a dear little creature, and al
ready Dorothy loved her.
Dorothy was radiant with happiness life
seemed SO changed to her.
She took her charge to the nursery,
quaint pretty room, barely and plainly fur
nishel, but tull of light and air.
Dorothy liked the room much for it look
ed out upon a beautiful and5cape.
She took a gaudy-coored book on her lap,
and tried to teach the little girl the letters,
big 4, little A. bouncing B-business.
Dorothy smiled over her task, and Won
dered what her fine friends would think
could they see her in her new role of nurs-
ery-goyerness.
The housenaid Jane came up TO make the
fire, and stood idly Watching Dorothy and
Ally.
Il should not have patience to teach
child; you are used to it, l suppose, Miss
Snow?'
Dorothy was about to say she was not,
but she thought better of il, and said:
1T is pleasant enough work with only
one child"
You are very young, Miss Snow, to have
had any experience. Why, you can't be
twenty"
mo, wish l was; l am only nineteen.
Ally, which is E.''
Jane went away singing softly to herself,
and the afternoon passed away and the sun
went down amid tiame-colOred clouds.
Dorothy was teaching Ally the beauty of
the eyer-changing sky. The sun sank like
a ball of fire, and dusk crept over The earth
like mantle of silence.
Ally slipped away to see if papa had
finished his business. She found him i'll his
study sitting before writing table reading
a paper; his face was pale and troubled and
the light of the reading lamp shone full
upon his hagEard face.
Ally ran to him, climbed upon his knee,
and said
MAY | have tea with you, Papa?"
He kissed her very tenderly, then hastily
writing on a sheet of paper, Darling, does
this refer to you? Send back word by Ally,
yes or no." he then cut out half a column of
newspaper and enclosed it, saving to Ally:
'sWhere is Miss Snow, pet?'
Il left her in the nursery, papa; she has
dressed for dinner, so | shall find her there
still"
run then pet, and give her this. Tell her
papa wants an answer"
When Ally ran into the nursery, her
pretty white frock fiuttered about her, Eer
tiny dancing feet tripping lightly over the
polished floor, Dorothy stood by the fire IN
her black velvet dress with the JeWeled
cross flashing on her fair bosom.
Here's letter from papa, Miss Snow"
Dorothy took it in surprise, and kneit
down TO read it by the light of the blazing
log-fre. The printed slip fluttered down on
the rug; she hastily picked it up and read II
with the look of hunted creature.
Ally grew impatient.
please, Miss Snow, papa says am 10
take back an answer"
Dorothy rose, pushed her hair back from
her forehead like one dazed, and with n
weary sigh drew Ally to her, saying:
ally. did papa look grieved or angry''
HE looked sorry, Miss Snow, and he for
got to kiss me"
Then run back to him, pet, and when
you tell him Miss Snow says yes kiss him
very kindly with your little arms around his
neck"
| Ally ran away to do her bidding, and
| found Mr.. Penfold pacing the room IN an
| agitated manner. She ran to him with out
! stretched arms; he picked her up tenderiy,
and she put her arms about his neck, saying
as she kissed him:
/ Miss Snow says yes papa"
/ ''God help her then, poor girl! Come,
| petite, we will go to her"
Dorothy still stood by the fire, tears steal
| ing softly down her cheeks. When Mr..
Penfold entered she turned to him and said:
| "Oh, Pierce, what can do to make you
understand tie misery that made me deS-
perate and glad to get away at any cost:
Send the child away and | will tell you all
| about it,
Mr.. Penfold kissed Ally. rang bell, and
said to Jane:
''Stay here and give the child her tea,
Miss Snow is going to write some letters tol
me before dinner"
Jane stayed, and as Dorothy went down
TO the study with Mr.. Penfold, she seemed
excited ana upset.
In the study a CHEEKY fire burnt brightly
Pierce drew chair to the fire, and pursua
ded Dorothy TO sit down.
She did as he desired, while he bent ovel
her, his eyes brimning over with pitlfu
love. Dorothy's hands trembled as sh'
clasped them over her knees, saying softly
MY troubles began year ago, when my
dear mother, after brief illness, died. Sh'
was the widow of rich mine-owner; th'
dear dad had been keen man Of business
managing his affairs with such utllll ina
when he died he left his wife large for
tune, and splendid opportunity OF inereas
ing it.
death. reverted to me, but left my motsle
To choose a guardian for me, should she di
durinr my minority. NrSmother had bu
few friends. and no near relations. Sh
chose as guardian an old friend of M
fathers. man who managed her affairs 10
her.
she is a man of about forty, handsom
] and shrewd. Ny poor mother believed hiI
to be the best man breathing, and dice
leaving me and all | possessed under hi
; sole control. He came directly after he
death and took his post as head Of th
: house. and treated me with marked kint
I ness. Everything promised that he woul
be model guardian; but from the first
shrank from his too tender manner-all m
instinct was az inst him.
II begged him to allow me to return
nv old school, till / came of age, but }
/ would not hear of it, neither would he a
y low me companion Of my own age. L
5 stead. he brought his sister to rule in N
: mothers place-a prim severe woman, te
: years his senior.
2 ..Rv derrees. all the old servants We