Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1891-12-26

A gentleman ascending the steps of
a handsome stone mansion shivered as
q blast struck him, and fastened his
steps to reach the shelter of his house.
Not until he had applied his latchkey
did he become aware of the fact that
there were other steps than his upon
the stones. He turned and beheld two
small, very small, figures-a boy and
A girl-laboriously mounting upward.
Hello therel where did you come
from9" he asked in establishment, look
inc down at the two midgets now
standing beside him on the doorstep
II want to see Miss Hazel said the
boy, painting for breath after his late
exertions.
oh, you want to see Miss Hazel
do you? Well" with sigh. Il only
wish Miss Hazel could see you. But
as want to see her, too throwing
open the door, I'm see what | can do
for you. John, to the servant. who
came forward to relieve him of his
oyercoat, lis Miss Hazel in her roomP"
Yes, sir was the reply Mr..
Raymond turned to the children with
smile.
Now, if you'll follow me-" he said,
"Tll try to get you an audience with
her majesty
The children eyed him doubtfully;
they did not understand his banter.
but they trusted his face. So. still
claspng each other by the hand, they
followed him down the richly earpeted
ball, through a silken-draped arch, in
to a smaller hail. then through another
arch into marble-paved ante-room.
Thence they went into room that
looked like fairyland--it was so full of
flowers. There were two persons in
the room. One, a middle-aged woman,
was sitting before the fire with her
back to the door, The. other, whose
face was turned toward the door. was
young girl of about 10. She was
reclining lazily in huge velvet chair.
with her head resting against the back.
One slim hand hung over the arm of
the chair, while with the other she
caressed a large black cat that was
doing coutentedly in her lap.
But the sound of footsteps in the
room reused her. and she turned her
head and looked toward the door
Looked, did | oayl All. no; appeared
to look, for she was blind. Well might
her father envy the poorest workman,
passing the house with his bright-faced
daughter upon his arm. for the most
humble that which he with all his
wealth could not Get for his darling
I.ey were poor in money he knew;
aud yet even they were happier than
his daughter He tried to put away
sucE thoughts. He tried to remember
what night it was; and crossing over
to Hazels chair, said as cheeriIy as he
could:
ut is only.I my lady. And | have
brought you two visitors"
'Whopn she asked in establishment.
Visitors were rare in her solitary life.
Don't ask me" he said gayly.
They may be elves from fairyland for
oil | know. only know ] found
them on the steps like tEo belated
Brownies and they said they wanted
to see you, so l brought them in to
your ladyship
It's Mrs. Dickson's little boy with
the sewing You know she promised
no Athu II Tonight, sdlu IHe Noiudu
who had risen from her seat at the
entrance of Mr.. Raymond. She i'm
mediately relieved the boy of a bundle
which he had carried. Meanwhile the
little girl, attracted by the sight of the
cal, had crossed the roOm; aud, laying
Der hand on the soft far said softly:
Pretty pretty kitty"
Why, who are you?" said Hazel,
turning her head in the direction of
The voice. Why, Tom, didn't know
you had any sister,
she amt my sister" said Tom,
s'urdiIy. She's my cousin. Her
mother died and she's come to live
with us
Oh, look, look. said the child, ex-
1.tetiy, Juggling at Hazel's sleeve.
Look at the kitty open her mouth"
i can't look, dear" was the sad
reply. Il can't see.n
.ksytJ.s 81 ~ ~