Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1885-05-28
EVA'S PERIL.

Joy, lTOul lhe cdIs VI tuc scuSltlFc VS.
itors then gathered in their handsome
apartments below.
On a low rocking-chair, swaying
E lazily to and fro, sat young, rosy
checked girl, devouring with eager
eyes closely-printed novel, to which
she was paying much more attention
than to the little child lying on her
lap.
At the other end of the room, two
girls-the eldest not more than eight
years of age, and the other but six
were playing with some once costly
playthings.
Both were exceedingly pretty child
rem, though shockingiy neglected in
appearance.
Soiled white pinafores, without but
tons, barely hid their torn cambria
dresses. and their pink toes had, I'M
needed, forced their way through the
shoes encasing their feet.
Suddenly the handle of the door was
sharply turned. Elisa, with guilty
start, threw her book into a distant
corner, and began tossing her young
charge in the air, failing, however, to
win a smile or crow of delight from the
astonished baby.
AS the visitor entered the two little
girls leapt quickly to their feet, run
ing joyfully towards her.
mamma! mammal they cried,
throwing themselves into her arms.
Mrs. Ruthyn, pretty, though pcev-
ish looking woman, smiled family,
drawing her dainty dress from their
sticky fingers
Eyes, yes, children; but don't make
quite SO much noise. feel quite gid
dy," she said feobly, sinking into
chair. ''How is baby to-day, Ellsa?"
turning towards the nurse
''Much better, madame might
say well. See how pleased he appears
at seeing you"
Again Mrs. Ruthyn smiled, and,
bending forward, touched the child's
soft cheek with her finger.
Eyes, he seems lively enough |
suppose you have been so busy attend
ing to him, that is why Ncttie and Eva
are so untidy."
Elisa flushed, but answered quickly:
Eyes, madame; it is impossible to
leave him, he frets So
"Quite right, Elisa; but for few
minutes this evening it will not hurt
nm w ANSb IhAttlJ Oil Ills DtNs L MduL
you to dress Miss Nettie and send her
downstairs there is to be grand dis
play Of fireworks, and it will please
the child Tor once TO come down"
Nettie flushed, and throwing her
arms around her mother, cried:
"Oh, mamma, | am so gladr'
MAY ! see the fireworks, too?" Eva
asked.
'Not to-day, Eva-another time.
could not have the worry of two child
ron, and Nettie is the eldest" Mrs.
Ruthyn answered.
The childs lip quivered, and she
turned away to hide the gathering
tears.
When Mrs. Ruthyn left the nursery,
Elisa laid the baby in its cot, where it
rested in perfect tranquility. With
many inward mutterings, she washed
Nettie's dirty face and hands, brushed
the sunny eurls into something like or
der, then replaced her old dress by
pretty pale blue velvet, little satin
shoes of the same shade covering her
tiny feet.
Eva looked at her fortunate sister
with loving admiration, though tears
dimmed her eyes.
Before descending TO her mothers
room, Nettie kissed baby and Eva ten
derby.
81 wish you were coming, EVE; l
should enjoy myself twice as much"
"Never mind, will try to be happy
with BERTHE, and mamma will let me
60 down next time, Eva answered, as
cheerfully as possible.
a I
thyn's maid, tapped sharply at the
door.
'Is Miss Nettie ready?" She asked
Nettie, without answering, went for
ward; and, after examining the child
atteEtigely, Lizette led her down
stairs.
Mrs. Ruthyn was waiting for her
daughter; she smiled approvingly as
her eyes fell upon the lovely child.
whose beauty was shown off by the
dainty dress.
As they entered the drawing room,
Nettie glanced cnriously round at the
groups of well-dresscd people, both
young and old; but she felt a slight
disappointment at not seeing any
children of her own age; they were all
grown-up girls and dignifed youths.
After dinner-during which Nette
received no little attention from the
ladies, all of whom complimented Mrs.
Ruthyn on having so sweet n child
every one went out in the large gar
dens, where busy preparations were
being made for the fireworks.
While Nettie, her hand clasped
tightly by her father, who, for the first
time, had the pleasure of his little
daughters company, strolled to and
fro, listening to the gay chatter going
on around, sometimes shyly answering
stray question addressed to her, Eva,
In her lonely nursery, was trying brave
Nv to force back the tears which wclled
into her eyes.
Lizette, free for the rest of the even
ing, came up to take tea with Elisa,
and, between them, the two poor child
rem were neglected.
'Shall you come down to see the
freworksp l can see beautifully from
my window; can't you Gomez she de-
manded.
Elisa cast doubtful glance at her
young charges.
"What can | do with them? Ishould
like immensely to go with you, but how
can IPn
PUT them to bed No one will
know; besides, why should you shut
yourself up like prisoner for them?"
Lizette said sharply.
Very well, l will come slowly.
So baby was hastily undressed and
rocked TO sleep; then Eva was hurried
into her little cot and told to go to
sleep like good girl.
The child gazod wistfully after her
nurse as she went towards the door,
carrying the lighted candle in her
hand
''Are you afraid to be left in the
dark" Elisa asked. meeting that
glance.
Yes" timidly.
Elisa turned quickly. and placing the
candle on a small table close to the
child's bed, FASTENED from the room,
anxious not to miss the fireworks.
Time flew swiftly by, and in the gar
dens ali was brilliancy and light
Ncttie. perched on her fathers Shout
der, was enjoying the gay scene to the
uttermost; it was not until the last
rocket had cleft its way through the
air, that she realized the happy even
ing was at an end.
Almost unconsciously q regretful
l., u.