Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1891-11-27
GIN IItIs T.

In large wooden building not far from
the seashore, n building attached rs school
house to "hIunster's Boarding Academy for
Young Gentcmen," |, Hugh TrclawneS
then scarcely ten years old was mopng
alone. had olry arrived two days before
from London, where | had parted IRON my
father, II travelling lecturer IN the cause or
what was then known rs the New moral
World. My mother had long been dead, ana
had led somewhat neglected IRE, some
times accompanying my father on bis wan
derlngs, more often being left to the care or
carelessness, OF strangers. Az last l lIad
been sent TO Southampton TO complete very
perlunclory education
II was afternoon, and hnlf-holIday; my
new schoOl-fGlIOws We're playing c,osG by.
For myself, ! was too used to loneliness 10 DO
very miserable. merely felt Nh oulcast for
the time being, and took no interest what
ever IN my new associations,
As sat thus, must have fallen into
brown study, from which n slight sound
startled me.
Looking up, met the fash Of two dark
eyes which we've intently regarding me.
"Are YOU the new b0y?' sad a clear voice.
nodded, and stared at my interrogation n
girl OF about my own age, whose black eye
brows were knitted in u way very curious IN
30 young child as she seemed.
Her arms and neck were bare, and she was
fondling n kitten, whose bright eyes and lis
som movements seemed 10 have something
IN common with her own beauty. ] noticed,
too, that she wore earrings and that they
were very bright and gIisening.
"What Is your name" she continued, In
the same clear questioning tone, altogether
with the manner of u superior who was not
to be trincd with
"Ilugh"
"llugh whatP'
"Ilugh Trelawnoy."
felt somewhat ovcrawed by tho tone Of
The little Indy who, to my boyish eyes, seem
ed much more my senior than she was IN
reality.
She continued to regard me with the Same
keen scrutiny and then said, looking at my
attire:
"Who IL dedir'
Ism wore black for my mother, and, with
n somewhat faItcrlng voice, told her 80.
She did not seem surprised, aud expressed
nj sympathy; but, walling to the school
room window, Ioolod out, saying, "Why
don't you go out and play with tho other
boyY
81 don't care about play. | am tired"
"Trcd with whut~ she questioned, quick
ly.
made no reply, for was not prepared for
the question. | had meant to imply that |
was Iow-spritad and dull, but had not cared
10 confess 50 much in 80 many words,
She understood me- however, and, although
she seemed indifferent 10 my condition,
troubled me with no moro questions.
Glad 10 direct her attention from myself,
for her bright eyes troubled me and made me
feel ashamed, | stopped down and stToliCd
the kitten, which she had placed upon the
floor. Even as did 80, could fcCI her eyes
stu fixed upon me; but when ! looked up
again with an annoyed expression, Sh0 turn.
ed her eyes away, and laughed,
This mboIdcnod me, and began to quos-
ton In my turn.
"Arc you the schoomnster's daughter"
AT this she laughed tho moro-~Sn brightly
and PLEASANTLY with such gOo0-humorcd
sympathy with my blundcr that my first i'm.
preston OF her hogan TO improve, and saw
that, besides being rather impcrious, she
was very pretty, young lady.
"Why do YOU mugh" remarked,
AT YOU" shc replied; "bccauso YOU take
me for Mr.. MINISTER'S child am stranger
here, Hike yourself My pcopic live iarNwny
In South America aud arc very rich, My
mother is dead, and don't remember her
NV father has sent me here 10 bo taught;
but ahnll soon 60 bacl, 10 him. Have y0u
father" she added quickly
| nodded
'Is he Kind toyou, and wNs II he that sent
you to school," she asked,
Bat without waiting fer my rouy to hn
uucatiuus, she contnpcd, "HiU father erred
when lrft him, though he lSngnnt man,
and whom he gave me- these earrings, no told
me my mother had Worn them before me-
and he kissed them. We I've far away from
here, IN brighter place Don't you hate En-
ghndp"
This was Hthora startling query, but be-
ing In n state of mind bordering on disgust
for lite In general | readily nSsontcd, Her
eyes cleaned,
at is deary J. &C." she cried; "dull and
miserable, aud II rains nearly every day. But
II Is different where come from, II Is al
ways bright there, and there arc flowers
everywhere, and the trees are iull Of fruit;
and there are bright insects, and beautiful
snakes without stings that can ho taught to
Irvine round your neck and feed out OF your
hand"
AS she spoke thus, indeed, Il seemed that |
was transported TO the land of which she
spoke; her eyes were SO sparkling, her face
40 bright and sunny, her form So foreign In
It's slender beauty her eurrings glistcn-
cd, and her beautiful ivory teeth cleaned
and saw her walking In that lnnd, u won
der among NIL wonders there with fruits and
flowers over her head, and brilliant insects
coating round her and luminous snakes
cleaning harmless IN her path, and duSky
slaves waiting upon her and doing her court,
estes. For II must he borne IN mind that |
had been studtoUs boy, fond Of reading
Wild books of travel and adventure and of
picturjng IN my mind the wonders OF FOREIGN
lands Much that had laucied ot dwrNcrS
In distant regions was realized IN the tacr !
now hcheld for the trsi time.
AT what age Is u beautiful human creature
and more particularly ouo belonging to the
gent'cr s2X--inseusiho to admiratiouH ! am
certain that my new friend perceived mine,
and that It did not displcasc her II was, NJ
any rate, genuine homage, quietly expressed,
almost against NY will in the pleased yet
tmid Chances of my eyes,
When she next spoke, her clear impctUOus
tone was greatlychangcd and soitcncd, and
kinder light dwelt on her face,
"lf YOU Will como with me" she said ~