Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1888-07-09
LITTLE BUNCHIE.

than Edith, the beautiful young heres
of Carlyon Hall, and Bunchie, the de
formed child of the hermit, it woulC
be difficult to find, and yet, to the on
the other owes to-day all that makes
her life worth the living.
Halfway up the mountain Bunchie
dwelt in the rude house her father hat
fashioned with his own hands, when
a couple years before, he had taken III
his abode there. He was a strange
fierce-looking man, and the villagers
gave both him and his deformed child
a wide berth.
One afternoon a group of three
were assembled upon the terrace which
overlooked the lake which nestled like
a pearl amid the green setting of the
verdure of the Hall lawn.
Always beautiful, Edith looked more
than usually charming in her simple,
girlish dress of white, and her wide
hat wreathed with daisies.
Her companions were both gentle
men. Frank Leigh, the younger of the
two, had a frank, open countenance,
and was one of whom a stranger, meet
ing him, would think: "a right down
good fellow, or I'm mistaken"
Rupert Platillo, the other, was tall,
dark, and handsome, and his manners
and conversation bespoke at once the
man of the world.
'.Mr. Platillo, what are you looking
so intently at?'
Just as Edith spoke, without an
swering, the gentleman addressed
sprang to his feet, and ran hastily
down the marble terrace steps to where
at one side of the lake was a rustic
arbOr.
Entering the vine-wreathed door,
he disappeared from sight, to emerge
a moment later, pushing before him
shrinking figure.
''Oh, sir, please let me go! didn't
mean any harm!"
With d swift movement the child en-
deavored to release herself from her
captor's grasp; but her efforts were of
no avail, and another moment, COVER
ing and trembling, the intruder stood
in the group upon the terrace.
.sNow tell us you little imp, what
you were doing thereP Come-quick
out with the truth"
But instead of answering, the child
crouched down and covered her face
with her hands.
A rustic of soft drapery drew near,
and Edith's sweet voice said:
do not be harsh, Mr.. Platillo. See,
she is too terrified to speak. Let me
question her."
At the sound of the gentle voice the
child's hands had fallen from her face,
and now her great eyes were gazing
up imploringly at the speaker.
s'Oh, miss, l stole in past the lodge
gate to see the beautiful flowers and
the fountains had heard tell of. I
meant no harm!"
Rupert Platillo laughed satirical
laugh;
upon, Miss Carlyon. She was waiting
her opportunity to slip into the house
and steal Whatever she could lay her
hands upon"
Pardon me, Mr.. Platillo, if I dis
agree with you. This poor little face
is honest, and 1 believe her explana-
ton. My child do not weep so piteous-
ly. I do not think you meant any
harm. There, you may go, and here
are some of the beautiful flowers you
came to see to take with you"
With one long, grateful gaze into
the beautiful face bent over her, Bun
chic rose, and without waiting further
permission darted away.
For some time back Rupert Platillo
and Frank Leigh, had been suitors for
Edith Canyons fair hand; and of late
it had grown to be pretty evident as to
which of the two she looked upon with
the most favor.
And Rupert Platillo was not so blind
but that he, too, could see that each
day his own chances were waning;
and all unused to being thwarted, the
worst passions of his nature were
reused by the knowledge; and though
outwardly calm, a very tempest of
rage seethed within him whenever he
met his more favored rival and saw
bestowed upon him those tender
chances he had striven so hard to gain
for himself
81 never cared for a woman before.
She shall be mine!" he muttered be-
tween his clenched teeth, as he rode
along a narrow mountain path.
Just then, so close to his horse as to
cause the animal to swerve aside, in
the dim light small dark form passed.
'.Hallo, there! Can you tell me
where the hermit lives?"
The harsh voice rang through the
silence imperatively; well Bunchie re-
membered where she had heard those
tones before.
She stopped.
Eyes. sir; do you wish to go therep"
Eyes; guide me thither and I will
reward you"
Ten minutes more and the hut upon
the mountain side witnessed a strange
conference.
Its ending was in this wise:
"Well, Bertram, it was my usual
good-luck that made me run across
you so unexpectedly that day in the
village. had often wondered where
you fled to after that little affair in
Scotland. See that you serve me well
in this, and instead of skulking here
like hound in his kennel, you can
live like prince. Remember, Friday
night about eight o'clock"
but stay" Interrupted the others
sinister voice. GLOW am to be sure
that it is the right one?"
''This way-as he nears the house
he always whistles Robin Adair. 1t
is the signal agreed upon that tells his
TO his lady-love. Now be
sure your heart doesn't fail you at the
last moment. You'll run no risk, as
it will be pitch dark; the moon doesn't
rise till a couple of hours later"
Concluding thus, Rupert Platillo
vaulted upon his horses back and rode
away, at the same moment the tiny
window over the porch closed softly,
and with face working with emotion,
Bunchie, who had been listening, crept
to bed. Full well she understood the
import of what she had heard.
The betrothal between the lovely
young mistress of the Hall and Frank
Leigh was common talk in the village,
and she had frequently heard the per-
sistent attentions and evident jealousy
Of the wealthy Scotchman commented
upon, And the latter and the stranger
who that night had conversed with her
father she knew to be one and the
same. She knew from experience her
father's INSCRIPTIONS nature, although
she had never thought him capable of
staining his soul with blood, but she
could not disefedit what her own ears
had heard; and as she covered in the
dark she made resolution. The dark
deed should not be done-she would
save the life of the man whom the
beautiful angel, who had once spoken
so kindly to her, loved.
'tNo one ever was SO gentle and
GOOD will caro baI b07191ia7poc fin.