Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1888-07-06

Out udNu " ohiN 'hNNf WIN
dancing eyes "but it isn't my
fault. do my best. Pm awfully
sorry I'm not boy, uncle, if it
would please you; but let me stay
awhile and you'll see what first
class substitute | am" removing
her hat and bowing with easy
grace. "But, dear me how dull
it is here Your fire wants a good
stirring upw
And seeking the poker she at
tackled the Goals in the CRATE with
an energy that S,elned to imply
that she would like to treat him in
the same fashion.
A bright blaze followed her Wig
orous action, dancing on the wall
and showing the bright hues Of
pictures and furniture, despite the
dust that covered them, bringing a
CHEEKY look, too, even to Mr..
DOran's grim face.
"There~ said Jack, giving a
last approving poke, "that's bet
ter. Now, if just open this win
dow and let in the sunshine, So"
suiting the action to the word,
"yOu'll feel as bright as a spring
morning"
The girl was like a May.day her
self. fluttering around the room as
if waited by invisible breezes, her
bright face the embodiment of
sunshine; and as the lonely old
man watched her light fingers
bringing order out of confusion
that had reigned so long, quiz
zical smile dawned on his face.
"For a would-be boy you seem to
know good deal about such
things he remarked dryly.
"Thats the mother part of me-"
said Jack as she "settled' the
chairs and furniture with a touch
that only a woman has.
Then she came and sat down on
a footstool beside him, and, clasp.
ing his knee with both hands,
looked up with smiling audacity,
saying: "You'd better let me stay
awhile, uncle; you'd be great
deal more comfortable
There was deep anxiety beneath
the merry exterior, for she knew
well how vital her uncle's favor
was. Her mother was too delicate,
her sisters too fine ladies to work,
and the child (she was not much
more, in spite of seventeen years.,
felt as though the burden of the
family rested on her shoulders.
Her uncle was very wealthy-if
he only could be brought to for
give her mother what happy days
they would see!
He had sent once for her two
sisters to spend week at Glenside
"a step toward reconciliation,
which her mother had hailed with
thankful joy. But before the week
was out he sent them both home,
saying he couldn't stand their fine
airs; that since his sister had
J chosen to bring up her family to
such idle habits, he would have
nothing more to do with them.
The one longing of the old mans
heart had been for a son to bear
his name. That hope disappolnt.
ed in the early death of his son he
had gradually grown into the self.
ish, gloomy man Jack found him
this fair, spring morning.
There was something in her
bright, boyish face that fascinated
him; and now, with a warmth that
surprised himself, he said: "Stay
if you like, my child. It's a dull
place within doors but there are
flowers and sunshine"
1t was so much kinder than Jack
had dared hope that she could have
cried for joy.
"Oh, you dear uncle~ she said (;
and kissed hiswrinkled old face with
an honest heartiness that he was
quick to feel.
"There, then," he said inpatient
ly, as if ashamed of the unwonted
sOftness he had shown. SEQ and
tell cook you're gong to stay, and
that she must give you a room and
see to your meals. DO not be
afraid if she's cross" he added,
somewhat anxiOusly, "she does not
like trouble or work"
81 WON'T said Jack, as she ran
off.
Halt an hour later she looked in
the door again, saying: "COme to
lunch, uncle Robert. Yes" (as he
stared at her in amazement). 81
know cook always brought you just
what she liked up here because she
did not want you down stairs
There has been a skirmish, but it's
all right now. Come for my sake,
please"
Mr.. DOran drew his dressing
gown more closely around him and
followed Jack down into the small
breakfast room, which she had
chosen because it was so much
pleasanter than the great Oab
wainscoted dining.room.
A most tempting lunch was
spread upon the rounu table, and
flowers were intermingled with the
dishes in DrofusiOn. 1t was pretty