The Penn's Grove record., 1885-04-11

warks for a few minutes longer, think
ing ~contentedly of Mayne, its fishing,
its boating, its shooting, its garden, and
its Sunshine.
Little Sunshine was standing at the
open French window Of the green draw
ing-room at Mayne; she was very small,
as her brother had described her, and
faultlessly lovely. Fleecy folds OF white
muslin fell round her perfectly-moulded
but petite figure; waving masses of gold
en- brown hair were drawn back from
her brow and fastened at the back of
her small shapely head by II silver arrow,
from which they depended in thick short
curls. Her face was creamy white, re-
Iieved by the crimson of the exquisltely
cut lips. the we'll defined and delicately-
~pencilled eyebrows and long. dark curl
ing lashes. and the wondrous eyes, East
ern in their splendor, large, dark and
liquid. When she looked up at any one
bigger than herself, a wistful pleading
look would come into them, which
seemed to say, ''Do not hurt me or take
advantage of me, please; but take care
of me, because | am so little"
She stood at the open window in a
listening attitude, and presently con-
suited a tiny ~chronometer.
0.Half-pastsix "she said softly. "They
are late. Perhaps they missed their
train, and will not be here till nine. |
will 90 and see that Harry's room is
properly arranged"
She turned and moved away. She
went up the broad oak staircase and en-
tered the chamber which had been pre-
pared for her brother. Everything was
in order; there were vases Of white roses
ON the mantelpiece and a vase of lilies
ON the little writing-table, and a white
moss-rosebud lay on the dresslng-table,
ready to adorn the buttonholeof Harry's
coat.
HSunshine-little Sunshinel" called a
deep sonorous voice; and little Sunshine
fitted out of the room, with a glad cry
of "Harryl" Half way down the oak
steps she paused, gave aleap,and allghted
in Harry's arms.
"Well, she is like a thistledoWnP' said
Jack Carew to himself.
ooh, Harry-my Harry-I'm so glad
to have you nce morel'
And the tiny arms were clasped round
the sailors neck, and the sweet red lips
showered kisses OF his bronzed face.
He returned them, nothing loath; and
then he put her gently down, and said
Sunshine, this is my friend-Mr.
Csrew."
Little Sunshine looked up, and say
the most splendid young giant whom
she had ever beheld. Jack stood SIX
feet three inches in his boots. Men adj
mired his broad shoulders, and a mother
would lave loved every tangled golden
curl on his well-set head and the big
honest blue eyes.
81 am glad you have come to Mayne,' y
said the girl cordially; ''you will help
Harry to spend a pleasant holiday.
Harry dear, tea is quite ready. | thought
you would be hungry after your long
Journey. We keep o~Id-fashioned hours
at Mayne when we are alone, Mr..
Carew. Papa likes them best; and l
am not going to make strangers of you
and Harry; so we shall dine at three.
aud take tea at seven, as usual
Il LIKE old-fashioned hours SAID
Jack, as he followed her into the quaint
dining room.
The tinkling of a tiny silver bell
brought a page bearing tea and coffee.
Harry and Jack Gated themselves at
the table with little Sunshine; and then
Harry, in his usual reckless fashion.
after helping Jack to some ham, seized
& pigeon-pie and commenced a vigorous
attack upon il. Sunshine smiled; she
was well used to her brothers. peculiar
tiles.
"Where is father?'i asked Harry, in
tent on his second pigeon.
''He and Miss Delville have been din
ing with Sir We're at Culver; they prom
ised to return early. | would not go,as
| wished to be here when you arrived, ,
said Sunshine fondly.
"You petl And who is Miss Del
ville?n
"My friend and companion. She has
been with me only one month; that is
why you have not heard about her ere
this"
''Oh," said Harry, Struggling his
shoulders, ''a grim old maIdl"
mo. indeed; she Is only a year older
than l."
"Handsome?"
"Very-just your style-tall, queenIy
and dark.n
''Humph-that sounds nice. I sup
pose she is looking after Sir Verep"
''Sir we're is looking after her; his
devotion is very apparent. He is al
ways calling to take us out for drives,
aud he brings her lovely bouquets and
all the books and music which he thinks
she would like"
Happy Sir Verei-for of course your
duenna smiles upon him. A cookbook
ing young baronet, with a fine unen-
numbered estate, is not to be despised.
| would have let him have you, little
Sunshine. What possessed you to get
a handsome c~Ompanion2"
II like beauty she answered calmly.
81 am not at all anxious to become Lady
We're We're. Nora is welcome to him.
All, there she isl'
A light step sounded in the hall, fol-
lowed by a heavier tread; and then a
beautiful girl entered the room.
Miss Delyille--Mr. Harry Mayne and
MI. Carew."
Nora turned very white, but recov-
cred herself sufficiently to bend in re-
Spouse to Jacks stiff cold bow and
Harry's cordial greeting,
Mr.. Mayne, a handsome mlddle-aged
man, warmly welcomed the two young
sailors, and then seated himself at
Jacks side, while Harry fastened to
place a char for Nora next to his own.
You have been at Mayne only a
short time. my sister tells me; L hope
you like it?"
II think 1t charming. l had been re-
siding in Switzerland before l came
here, and, Notwithstanding its noun
tains, its lakes, and its chalets, l am
glad to be back in an English home; and
Mayne is so picturesque"
"Ah, you appreciate the gables and
turrets3"
II do indeed"
Mr.. Mayne, little Sunshine, and Jack
were busily engaged in discussing the
shooting and fishing to be had at Mayne.
Jack was in his element. Presently
Sunshine proposed that they should go
into the drawing room. Once there,
Harry seized upon his father to have a
long chat; Jack strolled to the open
window, and Miss Delyllle seated her.