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

followed, and knowing how gossip get.
afoat, i made Agnes and Jem promise TO
keep silent about the manner in which you
came here, to avoid chatter.
1T is known among the servants that
am looking for gOverness. Now, wish
you To let me tell them you came here rs
governess. Let them think went TO meet
you at Cardiff, and when the things you re-
quire are sent from London, let them sup
pose that your luggage has arrived.
II will get q trayeling-box for you, and II
you will write lis, IL can come back full.
When we come to an understanding, il yoU
decide to stop as Ally's teacher, al will be
plaih sailing"
How good you are TO me, Mr.. Penfoid 70
Not better than you deserve, am sure,
Miss Snow. by the look Of trouble IN your
eyes, 1t Is time some one was good TO YOU"
Mr.. Penfold went into the hall and said
TO the housemaid:
Jane, II Miss Shows luggage arrives
while she Is from home, ask Mrs. Garth to
pay the carriage. Miss Snow did not know
/ should meet her, or how she would man.
age, SO she left them to follow, and being
Cnrlstmas-time, l suppose they have been
delayed"
The girl curtsied and went to tell the
house-keeper, Agnes Garth.
And Agnes smiled to herself and mutter-
ed:
"Oh, the power Of pretty facet The
master would not be so cunning OIL her ac-
count II he did not admire her."
Agnes" said Mr.. Penfold, appearing
suddenly before the old dame, II am oblig-
ed to go to London on business. shall be-
back on New Years Eve.
while am away, guard my child jeal-
ously. None know better than yoa do the
danger that besets her. If i were TO lose
her should go mad. would rather see
her in her coffin than in the power Of that
bad woman, her mother.
Are you sure the child did dream on
Christmas night? Are you sure the dream
If dream 1t were-had not a substance?"
Old Agnes looked bothered. but answer
ed boldly:
"Of course 1t was only dream, sir; don't
worry about 1t. I'll take care of the child;
no one shall harm hair of her head. Be
sides, she has Miss Snow now, which makes
1t impossible for anyone to approach her
unknown. watch her by day, Miss Snow
watches her by night.
"A child could not be better cared FOR,
bless her pretty facet l would be the last
to wish her away; why, she Is the sunshine
Of the house.
mind you take plenty Of wraps and your
flannel night-shirt; you should never sleep
In strange bed without flannel, IL prevents
damp. Shall l put up some whisky and
an0wicheS"'
mo, prefer to get out for what want.
We wait ten minutes at Gloucester you
know. Goodbye"
lie was buttoning his gloves as he spoke
and Ally came running after him for last
kiss. He lifted the child in his arms fond
ly, and said:
Snow wishes. j will bring you home a big
picture-boOk.'
You dear papaw
"You dear Ally" he said as be gave her
hrg and stood her down on the dOormat.
The snow was falling outside, and the
scenery seemed desola.a In the extreme.
From an upper winduw Dorothy watched
him away With strange hesrtsiukir- v"'
he was to return soon, and she knew no
case for fear
When he had gone she called Ally, and
they busted themselves over the Christmas
tree, which was To be sent 10 the sick chill
dren at the inhrmary, and Dorothy man
aged 10 tell lot Of pretty anecdotes OF sick
children she had seen.
TIE day passed pleasantly enough, and
Ally was put TO bed by Dorothy's own white
hands. When she had said her prayers she
asked Dorothy TO put her head down beside
her till she was asleep.
Dorothy did so, and fell asleep herself, TO
find, when she awoke, that she had stiff
neck, and that the light had gone out, and
Al. ~ nd
Ally in the room.