The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1891-03-06


her head.
Il don't see as you're so mighty busy;
lust lookin' out of the window" And
across the yard went she, muttering to
herself: 81 amt goin' to try no mo- to
love father, and one of these days mean
TO find Brer Nicholas and stay with him
always. Brer Nicholas is glad when l
hold his hand"
Angry and sore, Missy sat her down
npon tho knife block under the magnolia
tree, glowing green in the wintry sun
shine, and wept for the brother who was
blessed with the genial gift of expression.
Col. Thorne sighed, and locked the
door, and thus secured against unwarned
intrusion, he sat before the fire with his
head in his hands, and gave himself up
TO vain regrets. His little world seemed
slipping from his grasp. In the sum of
his joys and sorrows. his submissive,
inane sister had never counted for much;
his sop,by that hateful marriage was lost
20 him; he would remember Nicholas no
more, and now that Flora was the wife
of Alex Gage she could never again be
the same Flora: there remained only
Missy, and her he had driven away! The
colonel's desire to have her with him at
that moment was just not strong enough
10 make him willing to risk refusal by
calling her back, so he consoled himself
by making plans for her future. His
little daughters education was q prob
lem that had vcxed his soul not infre-
quently Of late, and knowing well Miss
Elviras incompetency he resolved to
turn tutor himself.
And now began an era miserable alike
for Missy and for her father. 1t lasted
five months. At the end of that time
the colonel abdicated in favor of vaca-
tion, thoroughly convinced that for
little girl t2 years old vigilant gov
crness was an imperative necessity, to
ne sought for diligently and secured at
any cost. Meantime Missy and the
colonel enjoyed a rest.
June had come again, but Nicholas had
not beer heard from, nor had old Gilbert
returned. The two names were instinc-
lively avoided in the colonel's presence,
but otherwise life at Thorne Hill had re-
sumed its accustomed course. Company
came and went; Miss Elvira bought new
finery and gave parties, paid and re-
ceived visits, and went to dinings, and
through il all read her daily allotment
of Bishop Ken. Every Sunday, if the
weather was fine, she drove TO church
with Missy. At long intervals she went
TO sec Mrs. Henry, for the colonel had
withdrawn his prohibition when Flora
was married; but the intercourse was
not cordial as of Old, and, except for
Missy's opportunities, Miss Elvira had
made her visits not only few and far
between, but Of short duration as well.
Missy held the opinion that she could
not visit her cousins too often, and on a
certain day near the end of June--it was
The anniversary OF Nicholas departure,
though Missy made no allusion to this
she insisted upon going to Mrs. Herrys,
not only TO spend the day but to remain
tho night. Miss Elvira sighed and sub
mitted; she was looking forward to that
good time coming, when the memorable
governess should be discovered.
To Lotto aud Bcss, Mrs. Herry's two
young granddaughters, Missy was always
welcome guest, and she herself desired
nothing better than to be "turned alooee,"
as Glory-Anu phrased it, in the lumber
room upstairs. Here Missy had contrived
stage on which she ,personated her ia
yoritc heroes and heroines, with Lottie