The Wilmingtonian., 1885-07-11

and being exceedingly unhappy herself,
for the first time in her life, began to think
of those who had never known what happi-
ness was.
One lovely day in June, when the Park
was crowded with fashionable througs,
and flowers in balcony and square were
striving to fill the misty air with their
fragrance, Marion Dearsley knocked at
the door of miserable-looking house in
squald street, and asked if it was true
that little girl, name d Lottie Smith, was
living there, and very ill.
"Walk in, num-" said haggard-look-
ing woman with tired eyes; "she's getting
past everything but but groaning and
coughing, and that she does pretty nigh
all the day"
A few minutes later, Marion was bending
over miserable pallet-bed, on which a
shrunken form was lying, and feeding the
thirsty lips with spoonfuls of orange Jelly.
The child's wistful eyes looked up into
the pretty face, which had grown so pale
and sad during the last few months, and
whispered hoarsely:
"Me goin' to take little tar with me-"
''What does she say ~ looking round at
the mother.
"Bless her heart!" wipiDg her eyes with
the corner of her apron; she's dyin', and
she's glad to go; and she's got summat
under her pillow which she always says she
must take we her. A penny thing, l fancy
she must ha' got from one of the chil'en.
Show IL to the lady dear"
Lotte put her hand under the old sack
of straw which did duty for pillow, and
brought forth her treasure with glistening
eyes.
"My ring' exclaimed Marion, dropping
the spoon in her agitation.
"Your ring, ma'ma2 My goodness,
Lottie, think of your stealing the lady's
ring"
She did not steal it, she found it on the
road" said Marion kindly, as she saw large
tears rolling one after the other down tho
wasted checks.
"My little 'tarr' with plaintive moan.
''She thought it was one of the stars,
and she was goin' to take it back"
sob, Lottie dear, the stars never come
| down to us; we may go to them, but they
will never come to us, said Marion sadly,
| This is nothing but bit of gold and a
jewel, nothing to do with heaven. l drop
ped it out of the window one day, and
wanted SO much to get it back. Win you
let me have it, and I'll send you something
so nice instead"
|
now, the dark eyes glstening through their
tears-the tears Of lost illusion.
Day after day Marion brought sunshine
and happiness to that miserable home. Mrs
| Smith was supplied with constant needle
work, and dainties of every description
falling star brought blessing with it, and
neglected health revived under tender care
| Softly tinted roses came back to Lottie's
checks, but Marion grew whittier as the
| Summer advanced. 1t was against her
| pride to write to Harold Battiscombe, and
tell him that the ring was found, but how
would he ever find it out unless she did?
Laura Dickson came to call, and said that
| Mr.. Bittiscombe was one of the incest
fellows she had ever seen. 'Now fancy
what he did last Winter. | met him with
some lovely roses in his hand, and without
| thinking, said how wished / had some
like them to wear that night, as l was in
slight mourning and could never wear a
color. guessed where they came from, for
he said he could not give them away-not
that should have taken them, my dear.
| But just after dinner 1 received a lovely
bunch from Covent Garden. Now wasn't
that nice Of him?"
"Very nice" murmured Marion, feeling
| that her heart would break, for it was on
account Of the story Sir Felix had told her
about those roses that she lost the ring.
| Oh, what fool she had been!
Six Felix came tie next day and made
her an offer, which she declined with thanks,
and the baronet went away in the worst OF
tempers.
That evening Mr.. and Mrs. Mackenzie
took Marion to the opera. By her side
there was a stall which remand empty till
the end of the first act, when a gentleman
made his way to it, aud sat down without
looking around. Her heart stood still,
for one glance out of the corner of her eye
told her that it was Harold. They exchang-
ed bows as if they had been distant
acquaintance and formal remarks on the
weather were stopped by the raising of the
curtain. The opera was nearly over, and
the coveted opportunity was slipping away.
If she left him 60 perhaps they might never
meet again.
Suddenly she began to unbutton her long
glove, and she felt that Harold's eyes were
Immediately fixed upon her.
"Why are you taking off your glove?'
asked Mrs. Mackense in SURPRISE; 1--WE
are just going"
81 kuow-I know" said Marion hurriedly
as the tugged away at a refractory thumb
"Came along, or we shall lose the car
riage."
Marion rose fastening her cloak round
her neck, and let the glove fall as if by
accident.
Harold stopped to pick it up, and She
stretched out her left hand to take it from
him. His eyes travelled from the radiant
diamonds to her agitated face.
MAY come tomorrow" he whisper
ed.
She gave him a nod and smile, and
quickly followed her friends, whilst lie came
after and put her in the carriage, feeling as
if he were in a dream.
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