Waterbury evening Democrat., 1889-11-04

never imagined there could be so many people. Where and how did they all liyea At last they came to 0 large stone house, with marble steps leading to it. The car riage stopped, and, looking up, Meg saw Miss Van Coor standing in the wide door, way.
 It was the next afternoon that Meg found herself in still stranger position. She mad been dressed in pretty cream-colorcd dress, with q scarlet sash around her slen- ter waist Her sunbarned hands and arms were incased in long scarlet mitts that came above h~r elbows, while dainty slip pers replaced the kid boots. She scarcely }new herselfas she stood before the glass; her short dark curls and large brown eyes were the only familiar features that greeted her. She had not much time for thought, however, for soon they were driven to a large hall and went up dark stairway into a large room where many ladies Were bustling around. From the dis tance s:!c could hear strains of music and then some one began to sing.
 ''It is your turn now, Meg" said Miss Van Coor. "Don't be frightened, dear; just imagine you are alone on the cliff by the sea.''
 The next moment Meg stood on a stage before large hall full of people. She was GaZed for moment and her first impulse was to fly, but the seats nearest the stage were filled with children Tn whose bright eyes she saw nothing but good will and en- courag cement, and above their heads she caught the glmmer of her old friend-the sea-through an open window. Sine imme- diately thought of Bob and his lon ged-fo books, and straightened herself up and whistled as only Meg could whistle. First | came the low, sad notes of the robin, then the saucy call of the bobolinlz followed by the meadow larks merry carol, and the f | on and cn the clear notes rang out, bird fol- | lowing bird until there seemed to be a 1 whole colony of songsters in the slender | throat.
 | The children screamed with delight, and | the grcWE people joined in hearty ap- | pliusc until Meg, flushed and smiling, was | led forth again. This time she whistled merry little polka, winch made the tiny feet tap ill merry unison on tho floor. It | seemed as ii they could never let her go, | but called iler back gain and again. Aft CT the concert was over the ladies crowded | around and praised her until she was ready to cry fer joy.
 | ''H l--ESt have you at our musicale to- morrow night" said one of the ladies' So Miss Van Coor promised for Meg, and they | left the '.a3 ;aid were driven home, it seeul- | Ing tG A.,'ss excite, :;,ncy as if they were | floating II. sc:ac beautiful dream and she would awake to tiuI herself back on the | bs;.Ji: :.-T,.in. Tie il> .,t !; ;:5t,c t2 most wonderful thing of sll happened Meg went to large house where the beautiful rooms were | filled with Indies and gentlemen. She was | very shy among many, but they had heard her story from Miss Van Coor, and were very kind to the brave little maiden, | whose soft brow! eyes looked straight at them With q yearning for love and sym pathy. As she stood looking straight be fore her With q s;:G expression in her beau | ful eTCs fer at,Ccitie:i was attracted by 2 1nlCu .c-iss,cd geEtltii-it:l in the back part of | the room. He Il d ii;.lf risen from his seat | and was looking at her with such per l p@--Cd look th t LIcg could not help watch | ing his movements. As she passed from the room she saw him lean over and take 8 programme from Q lady in front of him. | When she came baGl1 2 second time he was standing by a Ninc3W very near the piano. His face was very pale and he looked at her with queer caSGrnuss that excited Meg's | curiosity to the utmost. A.littlc later she | noticed t!rl ill close conversation with Miss Van CCor. H,'E could not hear what they | said, but the gentleman was talking very | fast and eagerly. and they both watched her so closely that Meg began to feel un- | easy. S.lc s;iw no more of hlm that night, and Mss Van Coor said nothing of the matter, but as soon as they reached homo she bade Meg go to bed and dream of the gold-pieces and happiness she was to take | home to Bob.
 The next morning Meg was called into | the library and introduced to General We'll
 ing, who was the same gentleman of the | night before. He asked her many tues
 tions concerning her parents and her life, | and ended by telling her he had every req
 son to believe that she was the child of his
 only sister, Margaret Lorne, who had been
 lost at sea while returning from trip
 abroad. He had hunted In vain for years
 for some trace of her, or her husband or
 child. It ended in his accompanying Meg
 home and finding there the proofs which
 changed the little brown-eyed waif into an
 heircss. His wealth and gratitude worked
 wonders in the little brown house. Bob
 was scut uff 10 sch::ol and Mrs. Hall was
 enabled; to fJ.j i4lr tired hands and rest. It
 was not many days before Meg made
 farewell visit to her old perch on the cliff
 and went to live ln a grand old mansion,
 dear as every ray of sunshine to her uncle'S
 heart. Though sine iS now one of the fash
 ionablc young ladies who go to the sea-
 shore every summer, she has always
 ready ear for any one Ill trouble, and she
 still clings to her old habit of whistline for,
 as she lalg.lin. .,iy remarks to her oldest and
 best of friends, Mss Van Coor, had she not
 Whistled her way to friends and fortune, in
 spite of the old saying:
 "A wh!stling girl and q growing hen
 Always come to some bad end
 Laura A. Smith, iii Indiana State Sentinel
 PraycrS Were NeeGed.