San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1886-06-08

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that Agnes had fre-heuel up so c!evcTly,
she stood prrplrxeI by her short sleeves
and bare breast Just then knock came to
tn" door, and old Agnes entered with a
white lace ichu on her arm, and a Iair Of
crimson mittens in her hand.
See here, my dear; this will make your
dress more suitable, and here is piece OF
flannel to fix across your chest"
Dorothy took the things gratefully, say
ing:
How good yOu are to me! | shall never
forget your kindness"
The old woman patted her cheek kindly,
and said: HaaH
Nonsense. child; am only too pleased
to see you able TO get up. | feared you
would be i'll. Come down, 1t is very cold,
and there is a nice fire in the parlOr."
Dorothy looked very quaint and pretty, as,
with timid step and dOwI-dropped eyes, she
entered the handsome Sittng-rOOm holding
Ally's hand.
Mr.. PenfOld threw down his book, and
came forward TO meet her, his handsome
face full of genuine admiration at the pref
ty picture she made, with his gift pinned at
her throat among the snowy folds Of lace
that crossed 50 daintily over her pretty bust.
Il cannot tell you how delighted i am to
see you are able to come down. Sit here by
the fire. What is your name, child? Mine
is Pierce PenfOd."
She looked blankly up at him moment
Then as her eyes wandered away to the
snOw-clad hills she faltercd out family:
Mine is Dorothy Snow, and / am very,
very grateful to you for your timely help.
Had you not found me | should be lying
dead nOw-frOzrn TO death i'm the SHOW
drift"
My dear young lady, my old mother used
to say: God is always i'm one place, no
matter where his wanderers stray He
guided me to you last night, and it is great
happiness to me to think that |, under
Heaven, was allowed to help you. Let me
give you a glass of wine. and promise me
that you will cons der m" a friend.
Let there be- silence between us as to all
that concerns you till Twelfth Night, when
| will meet you here, in this room, to burn
the holly; until then You are my hOnOred
guest; after then. p rhaps, you will let me
be your true friend. Now, Miss Snow, here's
merry Christmas to you. Shake hands"
She held out her hand gratefully; as he
pressed it he noticed she wore gentle
mans ring, costly jewel engraved with
masonic emblem. lie raised her hand and
looked at it eagerly, saying:
This ring was given to you bya ma
son'?"
"Yes, a knight templar-my father"
Then, my dear, you are twice welcome
once for your own sake, and once for your
fathers, since he was brother mason"
''He is dead, or should not be here"
Tears dimmed the innocent blue eyes, and
the sensitive lips quivrred grievOuSly.
Ally changed the subject, saying:
did you hear the waits last night, Miss
Snow? did"
Dorothy shuddered, and remembered with
pain that she heard them singing of peace
and goodwill while she was the centre Of a
scene of strife. But she said nothing of this,
only lifted the child to her knee, and talked
TO her of ChristmaS-time when she was a
happy child.
Pierce looked out on the ice-bound earth
a little sadly. 1t was long since he had seen
his child Graded in the arms of a gentlewo-
man. Somehow the sight of those two in
the big armchair filed void in his heart
and home, and he wondered vaguely for
what purpose this lovely girl had been
thrown in his path.
Ng
nighttime came brilliant and starlight.
Little Ally had tired herself out over a
snapdragOn after late dinner and Dorothy
had carried her off to bed, heard her pure
prayer, and had stolen back to the cheerful
where her host sat recalling
the sight of the fair young face as it bent
yearnngly over his mOtherleSs child.
He had noticed, too, how cOnfidingIy Ally
4 -, tbn l.
friend, and he felt that the instincts of a
child are to be trusted.
He drew chair to the Preside, and said
softly:
'NIy little girl is very lonely; you have
been perfect godsend to her to-day. | am
so glad to have you here. | dreaded to-day,
and 10! 1t has passed so pleasantly that |
now regret it has flown so fast, You look
very pale are you tired?'
Not at all. Shall play for yOu?"
Il wish you would, love music"
He hastily opened a grand piano that
stood back in the shadows, lighted the can
dies, and placed pile of music before her
marked with the name of Alison PenfOld."
Dorothy picked out one called "A Year
Ago" and as she sang tears splashed heavi-
ly down upon her little white hands. The
words touched her so deeply.
As she concluded, the sweet clear voice
faltered and ended in a sob. Pierce bent
over her compassiOnately, saying:
Poor child, fear the song has stirred
sad thoughts in you. Play this one for me-"
He put song in front of her and sang
out joyially.
While he sang, Dorothy heard another
chriII and chil1's
terrified cry. She flew up the stairs to the
pretty bedchamber where she had placed
the child.
Ally was standing trembling with fright
at the bottom of the bed. At sight of Dor
othy she flew to her with outstretched arms,
crying:
"Oh, Miss Snow, have been so very
frightened. A dreadful woman, all in black,
like a DOGGY, came and woke me by kissing
me with cold lips. Then when cried out
she ran away so quick"
Poor little Ally! you have been dream
ing" said Dorothy, taking the child in her
arms.
Just then old Agnes came in in great
futter, saying:
"Heyday! what's the matter, Miss Ally?
why do you cry out so? You've had too
much to eat | expect, and 1t has made you
have one of your foolish dreams. Hush now;
let me put you to bed, you'll take cold"
The feeble light of the lamp showed the
anxious face OF the old lady, and the fright
ened face of the child. Ally repeated her
tale. Agnes shook her head and seemed
vexed, for she said sharply:
Always the same foolish fancy, Miss
Ally; how many times have told you it is
but dreamp
''She is too young to understand the mean
ing of dreams, Agnes"