Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1890-08-12
miscellaneous.
In Happiness AGAIN.

"But the child will be wet through-Guite
throughl"
The cry came from the village school-mis-
tress, who was standing in her open doorway.
| She was beckoning and calling to the nurse
who was hurrying past, with the little lady of
the hall bundled in her arms
The school mistress was right. Tho rain
was peltering down in genuine wintry fash
ion, with no trifing about it. It evidently
meant bnsiness and us the business It had in
hand was the thorough drenching of the two
hurrying figures, Nurse Norah was not sorry
to hear herself hailed.
Indeed, then, an It's true for you, she
said. AN If ye'd be after letting the little
lady wait here bit wild ycz. till I'd be comm
for her in the carriage. 'Tis little Miss Lilias
from the hall. But she's that shy with stran-
gers. bless her heart" s
The school-mistress was holding out her
arms to the child, who ptraightway contra
dicted Nurse Norah by putting out her arms
inturu to be taken.
Perhaps Miss Patience's rather tremulous
smile was the magnet; purnps the gay wood
fire cracking way in the Wide hearth. Atall
events the baby was laughing when Mics Pa
tience carried her out Of Ahe coldRni wet, aud
| shut out the dismal afternoon and SAL her In
the big armchair before tile dancing flames.
Its like Little Red Rlding Hood and the
wolf, Lilias remarked presently,.in her baby
voice with nod at her scarlet cloak driving
before the fire; and then looking up into Miss
Patience's face, us she sat on herlap, "Gran'
mamma what great eyes you've got 2 What
makes them go big and qucer7 Noruh hasn't
got them, want Norah 80
She had Put-up her lip with pitiful expires
sion of distress. staring at the great blue
glasses Miss Patience always wore.
Miss Patience promptly took them on. :,
Such a soft pair of brown eyes smiled down
at the little one that it was no. wonder that
she smiled back. More especially as the two
pairs of brown eyes we're SO wondrously alike
that, each seemed TO be tho reflection Of the
other.
But the small critic had not finished yet
You've got cap like Norah. Only. It isn't
like Norah's; it's so big and ugly. j wonder
II you've got red hair under It Ike Norah,
too7"
Miss Patienee's unsteady white. hands won't
up aud put aside tho cap. on with 1t calno
frontIet OF frizzled hair.
But that on Miss PatIences head was mot
red like NOralfs. but of spun yellow gold.
Daring little Miss Liias pulled it down oyer
Miss Patience's shoulders, and fell to matching
it with her own sunny curls.
'Its most like them. Papa says it's little
sunshine got all tangled up in my curls. 1
think it must be really sunshine, don't you
know for it hurts papa's eyes sometimes till
the tears como into them-just like when you
look up at the sun, don't you know"
1t must have hurt Miss Patlence's, too her
eyes have filed up suddenly.
She pressed the little head down on her
breast
"And what does mamma say about the sun
shiny curls-eh, little Jilissi"
Mamma Butt haven't got any mamma ~
the child said wistfully. "Why haven't got
any mammal want one All tho other girls
have got one. asked Norah why hndn'.
got one the other day"
And what did Nora say 2"
The question was ratherindistinct Miss Pa
tience's lips were pressed among the shining
curls..
LOB, Rorah said that maybe papa'd bring
me q new mamma some day. But when
asked papa, he Just put me down of bis knee
and went away. and forgot to tel me il he
would. Do you think he win some timer"
"No, no; not that And you have your
father, my darling. You Gun do very well
without mamma. Mammas are not always
good they don't always deserve to have q
LDy-bell Ike my darling"
She was kissing the girls bright hair over
and over. Her voice had the sound of tears
in 1t.
The child's bright eyes stared wondetingIy
into the fire, as II she were thinking ...
Nobody ever oaiIs me LiIy-bell .brt papa
she announced pretently. '.Do you think, If
ever got mamma, she'd call me LiIy-beI,
too7 Miss Patience. think-don't you think
you would come and be my mamma p
Miss Patience's two hands were over her
face; the child was pulling softly at them.
Because" she said, 81 think you'd be a
very pretty mamma, without that ugly cap,
and those big ugly eyes you know, and that
queer hair. Oh, Miss Patience, Misc Patience,
yon're crying But thafd never do for a
mamma. Now would it, papa7
Nobody heard him comein, but there he was.
Lila took his pTessnce ss matter of course.
Now would II Papas" she said again in
sistantly.
/ Mr.. Ferguson came forward.
] ''I beg your pardon for entering without