The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1888-03-29
1 MERE CHILD.

the table. shedding all its light on
what came Immediately beneath it.
in consequence of green cardboard
shade that kept the rest OF the room
in darkness.
Within the circle of light an inh.
stand, q sheet OF note-paper, and
brown hand writing thereon these
words:
with some old acquaintance who live here
in summer-those pretty Granger girls
that were at Henderson's ball. and one or
two other places last winter. Their father
has asked mo to go and sec them-tennis,
and 80 forth. Rather jolly! have found
some rare specimens OF ferns-wall spleen
wort, Rusa muraria and several fungi
ter. This air is like 80 much new lilo to
me. Love to the pater and yourself from
Your affecti0nate son,
CLEMENT MOORE.
The pen was laid down, the letter
placed in an envelope; the latter d.
rected, and stamp dabbed on side
ways in the corner. Then the writer
pushed back back his chair, yawned
and stretched himself.
"Done my duty. Now for pleasure
Wonder whether they're at home.
Only eight. I'll 20 and see"
He went out into the passage, stoop-
ing to avoid knocking his head as he
passed through the low doorway,
which was never meant to admit six
feet OF humanity.
''Nrs. Grant," he called, taking
from its peg a soft telt hat.
eyes, SIR" came from the direction
OF the kitchen.
''Im going out-shall be in by ten.
perhaps sooner. You needn't get any
supper ready"
Every we'll, sir"
A ten minutes walk in the cool
evening air, and he was in the center
OF a small party, greeting those ne
knew, being introduced to Others and
sitting down amidst them, half be-
w'ldered by the light and buzz Of
voices.
But Clement Moore knew how to
adapt himself to circumstances. The
youngest child was soon on his knee.
!. while he divided his conversation be-
tween her and her father-between
anecdotes of q wonderful dog he
possessed and the failure OF the hon
crop:
"You are staying at Grants farm,
are you not?' asked the motherly
looking mistress OF the house. "Do
they make you comfortable"
"Pretty WE'LL" he answered, passing
his hand gently over the little ones
yellow curls. "They mean to, so I
don't grumblc. Mrs. Grant is q kind
old soul, and not bad cook"
You came for your health, think
you said?" inquired Louy, the clever
one OF the family, raising her dark
eyebrows inter- ogatively.
"Yes, and l like this better than the
seaside. because 90 in Tor a little bot
anizing as q rule in my holidays. The
fact was. came to grief on my byci.
cle-broke my leg-and WAS laid up
for an unconscionable time. And now
I've thrown over the doctor, and
come down here to recruit"
His eve fell, nncOnsiously to himself,
on the third sister, Zoe, whose small,
oval face was iuh of interest. She
was apparently ~ or ID years Of
age. with golden. brown hair, cut
short, and curling about her head.
From her he looked toward Marian,
who was busy at some dainty fancy
work, over which her pretty hands
looked very expert, and her face very
intent.
"They are generally artists who
come to stay at Mrs. Grants" she
said, looking up for q minute. "Do
You sketch at all Mr.. Moore?"
Not /, Miss Granger. l wish l
could" he added. with a meaning
look, that made her color.
This was the first OF many evenings
spent at the !Granger's, for the young
man found the family gatherings more
pleasant than his own society, and
also, though he did not say so, more
pleasant than any he had known in
his own home.
"To.morrow is the last of these
pleasant holidays" he said, regretful-
~, one afternoon at the conclusion OF
4 game OF tennis. II must be idle no
longer. And we haze never been over
that ruin you mentioned"
1.-The castle? You really ought to
see it," said Louy. "Well, can we not
all 20 tomorrow"
II should like it OF all things. Have
you any objection, Miss Granger?'
Il? Oh, no." Marian answered
quickly. "And Zoe, OF course?"
"Oh, yes, Zoe must GOMEZ" and he
smiled down at the little girl who was
s,fn nd,
Il will see," she replied doubtfully
"Good-bye, then, for the present.
he said, shaking hands with the elder
girls first, and then, instead OF taking
Toes small, outstretched fingers he
bent down and kissed them.
"Good.bye. little one," he said,
laughing. mind you are to come
with us, or don't mean to CO."
Zoe's cheek became deeply suffused
She gave him a look full ofirdignation
and outraged pride, and then turned
"Why. who would nave thought
he began, somewhat disconnected,
breaking off as he saw the looks oil
the Others.
II suppose said Louy, 'that you
are under a mistake, Mr.. Moore. Zoe
is not the child she looks. She is 1on'
"Nineteen!" he repeated. "Impos.
sibla:"
''She is indeed" Marian answered
''She always looked young; but last
winter she was i'll, and had her hair
cut off, and since then she looks worse
than ever!"
Moore colored hotly himself now
Then with {. half apology, he ran off
across the lawn in the direction he
had seen her take.
He soon found her, sitting in lit
tie arbor overhung with clematis
with her face hidden and bitterly cry
ing.
binding she did not move, he was
half inclined to 60 back.
Miss Granger" he said, successful
ly resisting the impulse.
Cha In ~ al oV1 hooo~