Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1885-11-20

thing a little unusual when her best tur-
ban ornsmented her classic head, and
the large gold hoops decorated her ears.
Having finished reading her letters
Lillian turned, and, startled by her
sable servants magnifcence, exclaimed,
"Why, Delsey, are you gazing to be mar
ried and not invite me to the wedding,
or what are you going to doln
"No, no, missey, amt got no notion
of getting married, l amt. Cousin
Marthy come up to see me last night, and
said her old man had done gone and
bought powerful fine chicken for
Thanksgiving, and wants me to help cat
it. Do you think, missey, after l have
dressed you good for dinner l could run
around there a bitsn
1t seemed 'the last straw" To poor
Delsey's horror Lillian buried her head
in the sofa cushion and burst into tears.
1t was but for moment or two; then
she hastily dried her eyes, and turning
to the dismayed Delsey said
"Poor Deseyl Don't look so I'M
happy. l am very foolish. OF course
you can go to your friends, and here is a
present from me to take to them. But
you seem nearer to me than anything l
have here, and | felt so lonely and un-
happy, and | was going to take you to
drive with me. But am glad you can
go to dinner and enjoy yourself"
'No, no, missey, go | never will, 'cept
to drive with you. You are my little
lady took care of all these years, and |
love you beter'n all Cousin Marthy'a and
fine chickens. What time we go, mis-
sey9"
Lillian graciously accepted the sac
rifice and ordered the carriage at 2 o'clock.
In glancing over the morning paper her
eyes rested on the announcement of the
annual Thanksgiving dinner at st. Luke's
hospital. She read bright editorials and
witty clippings, but between each and
all she saw again and again that an
nouncement Of the hospital dinner. She
thought of it as she sat at her sumptuous
repast, and later, as she entered her car
riage, followed by Delsey and the foot
man stood awaiting her order, she said !:
"Drive to st. Lukes hospital" Then
she murmured to herself, "What do l
want to go there for9 don't know a
soul there or physician in charge, but
my offering will be a passport, l think ;
at any rate it will help 10 while away the
time"
Followed by the astonished and awe
stricken Delsey, Lillian passed with an
attending physician from ward to ward.
She was right; her card and liberal dona-
ton cal ed forth the most tiattering con-
sideration, and when they reached the
children's ward the young doctor, noting
her interest," gave her touching accounts
of many of the little patients.
Suddenly her eyes rested on beauti-
full, fair haired child, with large, deep
blue eyes that gazed at her in such won
dering admiration that she stopped and
spoke to her, and asked:
"What is the matter with this pretty
darling?"
"This little one is coming out all
right" the doctor replied, "but she has
had strange history and had a narrow
escape. She is only four years old. Her
parents were English. Coming over the
ship was wrecked, and both father and
mother were lost. The little waif was
picked up by a sailor in one of the small
boats, and after fearful exposure and
suffering was finally landed in New York.
Her rescuer was too poor, and his occu-
patton was such he could not take care
of her, but he begged she might be
brought here and taken care of until she
was entirely recovered and suitable
home could be found for her."
ooh, doctor, do you think l could
have her for nv very OWn20
The physician seemed surprised, but
replied; 81 presume so."
81 am only afraid that Just as learn
to love her some one will claim her."
"Ah! madam, there is little chance of
that every effort has been made with
out success to find any relatives. l wish
you would take her; she is such little
winning creature" and the kind young
doctor tenderly stroked the golden curls
Lillian was quick and impulsive, and
having resolved upon anything lost no
time in accomplishing it. The proper
physician in charge was summoned, she
explained her position and means and
her desire to adoDt the little orphan an6
take her away ''as Thanksgiving sou
venir," she said, with laugh. 1t was
finally agreed she should take her thai
afternoon, returning the next day for The
completion of the needed arrangements
Ere long the child was introduced tC
its new home. She seemed to the man
or born, for she was in no way over,
whelmed by the elegance of her sur
roundings.
Promptly at seven o'clock Ralpl
Morton was announced. In anticipa
tion of his call Lillian had instructed Del
sey at a given signal to present the baby
AS Ralph entered Lillian greeted hin
with such gay good humor he pretended
20 look aghast.
"Why, Lillian" he exclaimed, ''yo,
overwhem me. l thought to find
beautiful Niobe. Instead | see you s.
resplendent you fairly scintillate-I hav
to shield my eyes,"
Don't laugh at me, Ralph; am S
very happy. ! have now something 0
my very own to love-"
This announcement did not seem t.
meet with the enthusiastic response sh
might have looked for Ralph gazed a
her steadily, and remarked, "May l in
: quire the age, name and general condi
tion in life of this most happy mortal
Has it two or four legs2"
"Oh, Ralph, how wicked and ur
grateful l have beenp exclaimed Lillian
disregarding his questions. She the
l gave him the history of the day, and a
the given signal the door opened, dil
closing the beaming face of Delsey, i
l whose arms was my little lady. Beauti
Y fnl golden hair fell in soft curls about th
shapely little head, the clear blue eye
shaded by long, dark lashes seemed a
, most black; smile parted the lips