Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1891-12-11


Mr.. Penfod kept silent for some time,
then lie said:
'Do you think, NJ So Snow, that child
can constantly dream the same thing with
out there being some foundation for the
fancy?'
IL think IL Is very probable Ally had indi-
gestlon, and had nightmare. l think when
q child Is timid, IL Is best to allow her To
sleep with someone; then, when she awakes
I'm fright, there is someone to comfort her
and reason with her.
''She shall sleep with me tonight; when
am gone, let her share room with one OF
the maids till she has grown out Of Thu trick
of dreaming. Poor baby she misses her
mother, perhaps"
Mr.. Penfod frowned, but said nothing.
only pressed his child closer in his arms.
and looked into the fire.
Dorothy was sorry she had mentioned the
child's mother, she feared 1t looked like
curiosity, so she began to talk very fast, and
was rewarded by kind smile from her
host, who said with an evident effort:
"Ally must not miss her mother; if she is
good, she shall have another some day."
Don't want anyone but papa" said Ally
sleepy.
Mr.. Penfold smiled and kissed the drowsy
eyes with passionate tenderness
In q second the child was asleep.
'Shall l carry her up, Mr.. Penfold? II
she sleeps here too long, she will rouse ur
directly you lay her down. See, here is o
soft shawl, wrap her in that; the cold sheet
will startle her."
Dorothy placed the shawl round the child,
and held ont her arms to take her.
Mr.. Penfold shook his head, saying:
IL will carry her, she Is too heavy for you.
Take the light for me. child; don't want to
disturb the servants, they are so merry"
Dorothy did as he desired, walking in
front with the candle.
The best bedchamber was on the same
floor as the drawing-room, or best parlor,
as Agnes called II.
The passage was panelled with shining
oak; soft velvet-pile carpet deadened their
footsteps.
They passed door that was partly open,
and as Dorothy looked In she distinguished
the figure OF woman fit away among the
shadows. Dorothy did not start OF scream,
but feeling OF alarm stirred her heart new
ertheless.
Mr.. Penfold laid his child tenderly on the
soft white bed, and left Dorothy to tuck her
up costly.
DbloNIJ kllC cllOlICINu oOulh VI
his footsteps as he went back To the ting
room, then an indescribable sensation OF
alarm seized her.
She was afraid to pass the room where
she had seen that shadowy shape alone.
She tried TO feel brave, and twice took up
the light and put il down again, when she
heard gentle knock at the door, and old
Agnes's voice saying:
us there anything you want Miss Snow
An extra pillow, or more bed-clothes? Did
you lie warm last night? Miss Ally is very
chilly child"
Dorothy assured the woman she had all
she wanted, and made her come in to take
peep at the rosy sleeping face ofthe child.
Poor bairnr' said Agnes, putting one of
Ally's little dimpled hands under the bed
clothes tenderly; "she is a tmid thing, and
her papa pets her till she Is full of whims
and fancies. She'll be all right with you, l
dare say. If she is not, I'll have her bed
taken to my room. Supper Is served miss;
il is getting late"
Without word. Dorothy fastened along
the corridor to the drawlng-room, where
she found Mr.. Penfold reading.
Down below the servants were keeping
Christmas no silly.
As Dorothy entered, Mr.. Penfold laid
down his book, and said wi n a smile:
Come. NJ SIS Snow, let us go and eat some
Of Agnes's mince-pies, or she will never for
give us. Ally is all right, l SUPPOSE
Yes, she is sleeping sweetly now. She
is n nervous chi d."
Yes, am afraid she Is. She wants some
one with her who Is patient and sympa-
thetic. suppose must see about govern
ess. She has learnt nothing yet, aud l am
not sorry; l want to keep her my baby as
long as possible"
A wild hope sprang up in Dorothy heart.
Why should she not stay as little Ally's
governess? it would be labor Of love TO
teach so loveable child.
A sudden impulse caused her TO say:
perhaps when you have heard my story,
Mr.. Penfold, You may find IL in your heart
TO trust me with your greatest treasure,
your little child. l am sure l could teach
her, and must find means OF earning my
bread for two years at least"
"And when the two years are up"
''The need for work will have passed; I
shall be independent"
You will marrv?'
NO; never want to put myself in o
mans power"
'That sounds very severe from such pref
ty lips, Miss Snow, though don't know but
that you are right. Marriage moro often
means misery than happiness"
CHAPTER III.
Two days later Mr. Penfold asked Dor.
othy If she had any commi sions for town,
as he was going there that morning.
Dorothy looked startled, and said:
"Going away? / am sorry. When will
you return?'
"On New Years Eve. / thought perhaps
you might have commission for me / shall
go to 0xfordStreet, where all the swe,l
shops are"
Ally was busy decking CEistmas-tree:
Dorothy was engaged in dressing dolls. She
colored up and sid nervous'y:
IL wish might trouble you to get me q
hat and dress from Jays; have the
money for them, and can send the measure.
ments."
How independent you arel l suppose
you want black, IL am to cote jays. Ii l.