Waterbury evening Democrat., 1891-04-20

5eInef WITH Dlue flDDOn ab the
waist. She was slender and limped
little, but John Earring thought he
had never seen any thing so fairy-like
and lovely, and his eyes followed the
little maid about for a moment with a
kind of wonder. Mrs. Bower, a
pleasant gentlewoman, who might
have seemed John Earnings mother
could he have remembered her, said
with fond look at the pink and white
fairy: Celeste is my widowed sisters
daughter who lives in the East Her
mother is 4 newspaper correspondent
and lives in Washington. / was there
visiting with her, and when 1 returned
last week Celeste came with me to SEQ
the Vest
do you like it here?'' asked John
Earring, gently.
II like the prairies, sir, think they
are beautiful" said the little maid,
where she sat with her hands folded in
her lap.
For years thereafter John Earring
could close his eyes and reproduce the
silvery voice, and with it the little thrill
that touched him at it's first sweet ca
dence.
Judge Bower excused himself and
went up to his chamber. and Mrs.
Bower into the dining-room.
Il dare say it is pleasanter at your
home" said John Earling.
'.ln many ways it is, sir. Mamma
has lived long time in Washington.
and there are many beautiful things
there, and many sad ones, too. 1t
seems very free and quiet here and I
like it,
Her eyes were so steady and 1umin-
Gus that for the first time in his life
John Earnings vision faltered. "While
the war was going on l presume there
were many disturbing things" he said.
Eyes, sir, we saw many dreadful
sights, and were often much disturbed.
We were at the grand review of the
army just before aunt and 1 came
West. 1t was glad time; cried for
| joy. was so so glad that they wouldn't
kill each other any more"
alt is very cruel"
20 sir, only those who have been
near it can think how sad it was. NY
papa lost his life at the beginning"
and the big eyes filled.
John Earnings heart was touched
and he looked down. Mrs. Bower re-
entered. Celeste, dear, tea is ready"
she said. Come, Mr.. Earling." Then
she called up the stairway to her huS-
band.
When they were seated about the
! snowy table Mrs. Bower said, with
happy smile:
''This seems good, doesn't it judgeP"
1--WE never had any children, and we
get lonely sometimes watching each
other across the dishes, you know"
lit fatigues her, not IT, said the
Judge, CALAMITY. 1--WE would be glad
to keep Celeste if we could" he added,
Though she doesn't talk much she
might witness that have not outgrown
the honeymoon, as wife intimates. She
thinks it quite orphan-like to be child
less"
Then his face became grave; he
seemed to have bethought him of
John Earring and Celeste loss.
Your parents have been q long
time dead, have they notP" asked Mrs.
Bower. very gently.
Eyes, ma'am," said John Earling,
$50 long l do not remember them.
Sometimes l seem to remember them
a little, but think it is fancy"
You did not lose them naturally, /
believer"
mo, ma am, Mr.. Whitney has told
me that my father was murdered, or
met at least violent death, and my
| mother died of broken heart"
John Earnings eyes were upon his
plate, and Celeste grew very soft as
| they dwelt upon his face. II have
thought much of it," he went on;
there seems to be some mystery,
something insoluble, unsettled; l some
times think shall ultimately know. but
| perhaps it is only my desire"
Can not Whitney throw some light
upon it?" suggested Judge Bower.
80 think not, sir"
"There was some property?"
Yes, sir; but it fell into the hands
of a person who had purchased it.
My father was robbed of the money
| directly aftcrward, believe"
| WAS there nothing leftP'
Nothing, think; but had
thought when my Indebtedness to Mr..
| into it.
Il should think it might be adj
visable," said the Judge.
After supper, at Mrs. Bowers
suggestion, Celeste went to the piano
and sang a song in an inexpressibly
sweet voice. 1t touched John Earling.
He was very sensitive to music, and he
thanked her. Erelong he arose, say
ing he must 60 to work again. The
Judge and Mrs. Bower insisted that he
| ShouIu remain through the nlSnG WIN
them, but he felt that he should be at
work, he said, and bid them good
night. Mrs. Bower went with him to
the door. and the silken-headed
Celeste, whose luminous, sober eyes
had dwelt continually through the
evening upon his face, ran out to the
flower-garden from the end of the
porch and brought a bunch of tea
roses and put them in his hand. you
must come again." she said. innocent
ly, 81 like to hear you TALK" and
John Earring went away with his
cheeks very red.
After writing until late in the office
of Bower & Woodman that night, he
found lodging at the public house
where the book-keeper Fowler took his