The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1886-02-19
4 clearinghouse Romance.

The girl was the most exquisitely pretty
creature l had ever seen. She was so
tall, so slim. SO round, with such fair,
frank brow, such shining brown eyes,
almost startingiy dark with her bright.
hair anu her fair COMPLEXION such
sweet mouth, such dinples, my heart
seemed to go out to her at once. And
SO full of bright chatter.
Her mother was great contrast she
WIS little plaintive, aggrieved-looking
person-one of those people who, I
think, take kind of pleasure in being
mhappw'
And there was an old-looking mana
very old-looking man somehow tall,
and largely made, with rugged, fair
face, very wide open blue eyes, and
fine head, held very high. Somehow lie
was not like the usual run of our visitors,
and, strnngest of all, he brought in
dog with him--a handsome pug, if any
pug can be called handsome-who pre-
Geded his master up the room, his
wtinkled nose shifting in the air and
his crooked eyes looking in every direc-
tion.
looked at my pretty girl. Her face
was all limplell and flushed.
1.-The dear old doggie. Do let me
hold him I little while; I am so
fond of Il gs."
Her mother moved uneasily and pro-
te-ted feeoly--
"Alice. dear"
The stranger turned and looked at
her.
Thank YOU so much. he said. "Do
you really like dogs? Most ladies are
AFRAID 0 Jack
"Some day, some day, some day wo
sh Ill meet Miss Verinder sang. I re-
memncr just how she looked; could
not wonder t the passionate admiration
III the young mems eyes. Old woman
as / was, | found her pleasant sight.
"A sweet voice, and sweet face"
sad some one beside me- It was our
neighbor at dinner He had come
softly across the room, holding his dogs
leash. He stood q momen by me, and
then he sat down behind the piano,
took his dog on his lap, and threw back
his great head, listening with evident
enjoyment to the music. l thought
again what strengthening man he
WIS. Miss Verinder finished her song,
and turned round with all the pretty
light on her face. He crossed over then
and thanked her, while the young men
looked rather superciliously at him.
81 felt sure you had a singing face"
he said. Are you we'll off for music
here?"
"Not very" she told him, and then
she asked if he played.
"Yes," he said. ''It is almost the
only solace I have" He paused
moment, and then went on in such
low, hopeless kind of voice. 81 am
almost blind"
Cob! / am so sorry"
Poor man thought it ought to be a
kind OF compensation to see the sweet
tenderness of the bright young face, to
hear the soft pity of her voice. He said
something's did not catch what it was
land then he sat down to the piano.
Play, I should think he did play.
Never had there been such music
brought out of our piano. A great hush
fell upon the room. Even those who
did not care for music for its own sake,
were silent from astonishment.
AS for Mr.. Gorst himself, the music
seemed to transform him. He shook
his hair, and his grave, plain face bright
ened up.
"Jack. sitting at his feet, kept his
eyes steadily fixed upon him, as if he
understood it all and for Miss Verinder
the pretty color grew brighter in her
cheeks. and her eyes shone. She was
passionately fond of music.
"Odd man! Don't you think so?
very" whispered Mrs. Colquhoun--the
greatest gossip in the house-to me.
"Not q gentleman. decidedly actor,
should think; professional, certainly.
Dreadful firt that girl is to be sure. Do
you admire her? No. surely not"
held up my hand to silence her. I
did not like Mrs Colquhoun. knew
her misunderstanding tongue OF old, and
L had caught flash from Alice Verin-