The morning call., 1890-05-11

more fortunately placed cousin depicted
her?
To the casual observer she was bashful,
! silent, commonplace little creature, who
came and went so noiselessly that nobody
noticed her coming nor missed her when
she stole away
Yet others might have discerned how the
lovely bloom on her cheeks deepened or
faded with every. fresh emotion; how
eagerly she listened when the conversation
took an interesting turn, and with what
prompt good nature she submitted to the
teasing of the children, or waited on Mrs.
Lisle, or flew hither and thither to fulfill
any wishes of Brenda, whom she admired
with genuine, unaffected sincerity.
Brenda signed to the young men to es-
taollsh themselves on a rustic bench near
the bank, on which she seated herself be-
side her cousin.
oe gss she oh e yss s all yes ss9es
going to sing for us Music sounds the
sweetest etc, etc. Run away, children /:
you have had the monopoly of the minstre /
long enough. To bed with you-to bedl
But Mousie could be firm in spite of her
timldity- She had promised Mrs. Lisle that
the little boy should return to the house at
certain hour, and must keep her word
Left to themselves they might loiter, and
Trots chest WAS delicate enough to cause
much anxiety already.
Brenda was veXed, but she Welded the
point gracefully.
We will all go in, and when peace reigns
IN the household Mousie shall charm US in
the veranda'
Il wish | could be sure that you do not
say TINS simply from politeneSsi" Mouse
surprised her companions by exclaiming, in
the tremulous tones of great earneStness
LII Is SO little can do to give pleasure that
1t would make me very glad if could feel
sure l amuSe you with my singing"
My dear, supplemented coz, you are the
QualuteSt little Puritan that GVn6 '
Don't you know that the chief end and aim
of woman should be to please herself?"
But though Brenda had laughed at her
cousin she shielded her from observation
TIL the tears that glittered on her eyelashes
had been wiped away. Mouse had been so
severely repressed by her strange tempered
aunt, so frequently assured that she was
neither useful nor ornamental, that the
niilder regime at Mrs. Lisle's handsome
house and the petting of Brenda affected
her strangely.
Sitting on stool at her cousins feet,
with the moonlight streaming down upon
the small, pensive face, she sang her best
Her sweet, fresh voice and old-world songs
carried Mr.. Lisle back to the happy days of
his youth. Even Mrs. Isle ventured forth
to listen; the artist dreamed happy dreams,
and Brenda sometimes sighed-sometmes
smiled.
Every one thanked the singer with effu-
| sion when she stopped-every one but Sir
her candle for her as she was retiring.
y on have done something more than
amuse US, Miss MenYyn. Such singing as
yours awakens feelings we are but too apt
| TO forget"
Thank you," responded Mousie, simply.
II shall prize my gilt now, and when L go
| back to Aunt Ursula, who does not like me
to sing, shall often recall the kind things
you have all said TO me tonight"
is this aunt of hers tyrant?" Sir Da-
hnflN LEI nd a1 tvI c1.b Ind
Of hearing.
Something like it," Mr.. Isle replied
''She is trying to Undue her sisters orphan
with her own aScetic tastes; and would
have her believe that to be young and
cheerful are bad habits, that should be
shaken of as quickly as possiblep'
And she returns to such a woman" ex-
claimed Claude Essilton. Must it be"
Yes, suppose she will have to do So"
responded Mr.. Isle, rather obviously. :"
had great trouble in getting her here for a
lew weeks. Her aunt fears that we shall
arouse in her that love of the world she is
striving to Subdue; and If she had seen this
Tightly daughter of mine, l don't suppose
she would have trusted ME with the care of
Mousie at all.
Every one smiled as Brenda swept her
father knocking curtsey, and danced
away, reminded by Mrs. Isle, as she went,
that the dresSmaker would call early on the
morrow to take directions for the costumes
to be worn at fancy ball in the ensuing
week.
Yet Brenda's face was grave enough
when she reached her own room and sat
down before her glass to brush her hair.
80 L have raised myself a rivali This
little inexperienced Mousie has a Witchery
about her that will win all hearts and
must stand by and smile at her conQueSts.