, 1885-10-31
POOR LITTLE GIRL.

iFtus ut - titu III n sui Di Dlhlllt~l
black, with cloak and cowl moi mourn
full, but so unlit. Iron might have been
cast to make his features. sculptor
never brought from purest marble 50
stern, so unyielding, so chaste an out
line The piercing eyes wander not TO
right nor left seeking delights they can
not find, nor do they discover the rough
and stony walking which makes the pro-
gress slow, for they look straight into
the lighted domes of a grand beyond
and the name Of this man is Right.
Aud following slowly in his footsteps
trips the light form Of Beauty; the fires
of unwakened passion slumbering be
meath the rich skin, in the depths Of the
lustrous eyes, in the dimples that showed
here and there, as her restless, never
ceasing movements tossed aside the light
garments. or the cleaning mass Of hair,
which. jealous Of the very air that
touched her, sought TO en5elop her in its
own protecting folds.
The ripe lips had never felt a pressure
stronger than the bubble Of the gay
laugh, the cooling of the gentle voice
which flowed through them.
The flowers of innocent pleasure were
in her arms and pressed to the tender
bosom which krew not its. precious
ness.
Singing birds flew about her. and.
seeking sympathy in the d~ullness, had
lighted on the cleaning arms and shin
ing hair-and she loved them and was
happy.
She cared not that the delicate limbs
were often taxed beyond their strength,
and the graceful feet strained in their
effort to keep close to the steps Of her
unilinching guide. She knew not that
the road was rough, the atmosphere dis
NAL. They had started out together
that was all-and she had faithfully and
unconsciously trodden in his footprints,
her eyes in their utmost joyousness never
once losing sight of his protecting form.
But bark The musicl Low, delicious
strains fill the air. Tremulous cadcnces
rise and fall around her, startling into
stiffness the pulsing senses, deepening
the tint in the delicate skin, the flash in
the eyes dark depths.
Her companion hears them not, nor
can he see the wonderful things which
now bursts upon her astonished vision.
For his thoughts are far away. He has
passed on beyond,
An arching gateway is beside her, and
through its bars pour floods Of rosy light
hat seem born Of the rayishing strains
which now burst forth.
one by one the birds, charmed by the
light and sound, leave her. and the
flowers drop around her feet, as the
thrilled arms gradually loose their hold
and are raised in unconscious alteration
Of the glory which surrounds her.
Forms Of knightly men and fair
women move to and fro in the warm
light, and the sound of voices and gay
laughter fill the air.
Close, so close has she strayed. she can
hear the rustic Of the soft garment and
smell the intoxicating perfume. In
strange fear Of the power that steals over
her, she calls TO her companion, who
pauses but turns not toward her. lie
will wait, but will not ome She must
follow him.
And lol among the throng is n knight
more grand and beautiful than the rest.
His form is noble. his mien grand and
lofty, his eye kind and loving. The
strength of Hercules and the beauty of
Adonis mingle in his frame. and the ten
derness Of n mother for her first-born is in
his bosom and speaks in his every mo-
ton.
His quick eye has discovered Beauty
as she fingers, and, with a winning
grace and a voice that has caught its
tones from the music Of the place. he
woos her to approach nearer-mayhap
TO entort here.
But no; she must not tarry. She will
not stay. Even now her companion is
impatient Mt her long delay. Seel he
beckons her to come.
But the bright form beside her is so
near, his words burning into her soul,
his loving eyes holding her so close!
A strange Jingle is in the warm blood
An unknown flutter in the bounding
streams within herr Shudderingly she
draws herself apart. She must away.
In his eagerness he has left all his
companions, and steps, with outstretched
arms, down close to the gate which sep
arates them.
Close-still closer-till his lowest tones
can reach her ear. He points out to her
the dull mir outside, the stern, %unloving
mien of her companion.
SO close-his breath stirs the flames
III itl llllllE ihAi Nut Nhu lf'l Nut
heart throbs which shake his frame.
His hand is N the very latch! If he
may but OPEN
"Oh, birds that can not speak oh.
flowers that can not lovel What are ye
to her nowl"
His eloquence is not alone in urging
her to stay. The craving for a light and
glory before unknown. the slumber-
ing fires of passion now thoroughly kin
died, the voices of her own loving heart,
that freely bleeds in the fateful struggles
all join in the mastering pleadings of
a love that will not stay.
Yet she moves away. For a life that
Is now death to her she must follow
the stern form so patiently waiting her
return, wrapped there in the gray and
the gloom, the rough tones beneath
his feet.
One glance at him, one burning look
behind, and, with a wrench that threat
ems to separate soul and body. she tears
herself away, and sinks on the stones at
his feet
All, If he would but stretch out those
folded arms, give one loving glance from
those austere eyes, speak one kind word
TO soothe the aching heartl He but bids
her rise and follow on.
And the light gradually fades, the
music dies away, the dear voice is still.
The singing birds have flown away, the
sweet flowers all gone.
And she is alone-outside the gate
In the gray and tho gloom with Right
alone for company
All God how little any one knows.
Luxury ana Necessity