The clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1883-1888, 1886-08-04

from London, where | had parted from my
father, a travelling lecturer III the cause of
what was then known as the New Moral
World. My mother had long been dead, and
/ had led a somewhat neglected life, some
times accompanying my father on bis wan
derings, more often being left to the care, or
careleSsness of strangers. At last l had
been sent to southampton to complete very
perfunctory education.
1t was afternoon, and half-hOliday; my
new school-fellows were playing close by.
For myself, / was too used to loneliness to be
very miserable. / merely felt an outcast for
the time being, and took no interest what
ever in my new associations.
As sat thus, | must have fallen into a
brown study. from which a slight sound
startled me.
Looking up, met the fash of two dark
eyes which were intently regarding me.
Are you the new boy?" said clear voice.
| nodded, and stared at my interrogation, a
girl of about my own age, whose black eye
brows were knitted in a way very curious in
so young child as she seemed.
Her arms and neck were bare, and she was
fondling a kitten, whose bright eyes and lis
som movements seemed to have something
in common with her own beauty. | noticed
too, that she wore earrings, and that they
were very bright and glstening.
What is your name?'' she continued, in
the same clear questioning tone, altogether
with the manner of a superior who was not
to be trified with.
'Hugh."
Hugh what?'
Hugh Trelawney."
1 felt somewhat overawed by the tone of
the little lady, who, TO my boyish eyes, SEEM
ed much more my senior than she was in
reality.
She continued to regard me with the same
keen scrutiny, and then said, looking at my
attire:
"Who is dedd?'
still wore black for my mother, and, with
a somewhat faltering voice, | told her so.
She did not seem surprised, and expressed
no sympathy; but walking to the school
room window, looked out, saying, "Why
don't you go out and play with the other
boy?'
L don't care about play. am tired.''
Tired with what?'' she questioned, quick
ly.
| made no reply, for l was not prepared for
the question. 1 had meant to imply that 1
was low-spirited and dull, but had not cared
to confess so much in so many words.
She understood me, however, and, although
she seemed Indifferent to my condition,
troubled me with no more questions.
Glad to direct her attention from myself,
for her bright eyes troubled me and made me
feel ashamed, l stopped down and stroked
the kitten, which she had placed upon the
floor. Even as did so, l could feel her eyes
still fixed upon me-; but when l looked up
again with an annoyed expression, she turn
ed her eyes away, and laughed.
This imboldened me, and began to ques-
ton in my turn.
Are you the schoolmaster's daughter"
AT this she laughed the more-so brightly
and pleasantly, with such a good-humored
sympathy with my blunder, that my first i'm
preston of her began to improve, and L saw
that, besides being a rather imperious, she
was a very pretty, young lady.
why do you laugh?' / remarked
''At you," she replied; because you take
me for Mr.. MINISTER'S child. l am a stranger
here, like yourself. My people live far away
in South America, and are very rich. My
mother is dead, and / don't remember her.
NY father has sent me here to be taught;
but i shall soon go back to him. Have you
father?" she added, quickly.
/ nodded.
rs he kind to you, and was it he that sent
you to SCHOOL," she asked.
But without waiting for my reply to her
questions, she continued, My father cried
when / left him, though he is a great man,
and when he gave me these earrings, he told
me my mother had worn them before me,
and he kissed them. We live far away from
here, in brighter place. Don't you hate En-
gland?'
This was rather a startling query, but be-
ing in state of mind bordering on disgust
for life in general, | readily assented. Her
eyes cleaned
lit is dreary place" she cried; dull and
miserable, and it rains nearly every day. But
it is different where / come from. 1t is al
ways bright there, and there are flowers
everywhere, and the trees are full of fruit;
and there are bright insects, and beautiful
snakes without stings, that can be taught to
twine round your neck, and feed out OF your
hand"
As she spoke thus, indeed, it seemed that
was transported to the land of which she
spoke; her eyes were so sparkling, her face
so bright and sunny, her form so foreign in
its slender beauty-and her earrings glisten-
ed, and her beautiful ivory teeth cleaned
and | saw her walking in that land, Won
der among all wonders there, with fruits and
flowers over her head, and brilliant insects
floating round her. and luminous snakes
cleaning harmless in her path and dusky
slaves waiting upon her and doing her court
estes. For il must be borne in mind that !
had been a studious boy, fond of reading
wild books of travel and adventure, and OF
picturing in my mind the wonders of foreign
lands. Much that l had fancied OF dwellers
in distant regions was realized in the face
now beheld for the first time.
At what age is a beautiful human creature
-and more particularly one belonging to the
gentler sex-insenSible to admiration? / am
certain that my new friend perceived mine
and that it did not displease her. 1t was, at
any rate, genuine homage, quietly expressed,
almost against my viii, in the pleased YET
tinid glances of my eyes.
When she next spoke, her clear impetuous
tone was greatly changed and softened, and
kinder light dwelt on her face.
If you will come with me-" she said, u
will show you the place. There is not much
to see but the garden, and that / like well
enough Win you Gomez
rose awkwardly, as if at word of com
mand: and. taking my cap from the pes
where it hung, swung it in my hand as fol
lowed her to the door.
Ashamed. vet pleased. to be chaperoned
by girl, wondered what my schoolfellow:
would think of it
Close to the school-room was the play
ground. or rather the capacious piece OF
lawn. dignified by that name.
Ny schoolfellows were playing crickef
thereon They paid no attention to me as
passed. but looked at my companion with {
curious and not too friendly expression. She
for her part, passed along imperiousIy, with
out deigning to cast single look in their di
rection; and / noticed that her look hai
| changed again, and that her dark brows wera
knitted with the former unpleasant expires
sion She said nothing however, for som,
minutes
Our first visit was to the top of high knoll
/ behind the house, whence we could see tn
surrounding country. and some miles to tn
southwark, the distant sea, with q whit
frost of biIlows on the edge Of liver-colores
sands
1t was quiet, sunless day; but far ava,
| there were CLEANS OF watery light on tn
white sails of ships passing by under ful
canvas.
I The girl looked seaward at the passin,
| sails with much the same peculiar expression
I she had worn on our fifst encounter
| How could fafhom her thoughts2 guess
ed she was thinking of her home. but M
/ wrong
..Are you czererr' she asked suddenly.
This was question which /, - modes
hov. felt tptally unrrepared y answe.