Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1892-09-09
LOVE AND PRIDE.


Cecil and were sitting in the big
chair by the fire in the warm, dimly-
lighted library. Just after dinner he
had brought me here to tell him a
story. Cecil was a spoiled child. We
all recognized that fact, but as we had
conspired to spoil him wo could not
blanc him for insisting upon the
privileges We had so uuwisely 40
corded. Thus it came about that |
was spending my evening hero while
che others amused themselves in the
distant parlor.
"What shall it be" | asked, pre-
pared to thrill my small hearer
with some wondrous tale.
"Anything," he said, DIR awning my
arm about him. "You know 50 many,
Dorothy"
"Anything," was very vague, but
after hard thinking some impulse
prompted mo to tell him the story of
Baldur, Buldur the god. | was not
sure that he would like it, but he did.
The little face grew flushed aud
earnest; he leaned forward, his eyes
eager and shining as to d of the great
deeds of the god md evcryones love
for him. Aud when came to Loki,
describing his treachery and cunning,
the scorn and anger Oh Cecil's face al
most made me laugh. finished with
the grand funeral ship sailing out over
tho waters while tho warriors
mourned on the shore aud he sank
back with deep sigh.
"Don't you like my story?" | asked,
as he did not speak.
"Oh, yes, it is the best of them
ALL" Suddenly, after another silence.
dorothy, IRE there any such men
now?'
"No, dear, but thero are good ones
STILL" answered drcamly, thinking
of some lives knew, not godlike, but
so truly noble in the face OF bitter
circumstances.
He was very quiet after that, neat
ling cozily in my arms with his eyes
on the fire, the httlo head full OF
thought.
Dorothy" he said ut last, "isnt
DR.. Harcourt noble and brave?"
felt the color flash to my face.
al don't know, Cecil; | thought so
once, but lately hc has not acted very
bravely."
"Why not, Dorothy"
"Oh, can't tell exactly-he ID
lighting a chimcra and Is allowing ii
TO master him."
| spoke dreamily and to myself
rather than to the child. At that
moment, before he could ask any
more questions, the door bell rang
heard my sister lIelcn's voice, then
the closing of the parlor door and al
was still again; but moment latoI
there came tap at the library dool
and DR.. Harcourt opened it and came
In. The light was too dim for him tc
zee us till laughed and said:
"Good evening"
"What are you doing here In thc
dark" he asked, coming over to the
are. "Has she been telling you ghos
stories Cecil"
"No." scornfully, m don't like
ghost stories; Dorothy never tel
them"
al have been leading him 'througl
old mythologies gravely sweet" | ex
planned as DR.. Harcourt sat down op
posite us.
"Dreaming, as usual" he laughed
~ wonder if you will ever come dowr
to practical life, DorothyP"
Cecil lost his support then, for
drew myself upright; it was no
pleasant TO be called dreamer, espe.
cially when l fanced myself growing
80 sternly practical.
"Have / made another bluudcr p
smiling at my angry face. "You mus
pardon my prosaic view Of things
Then, his tone changing suddenly
"Helen tells me you have been out to
day"
eyes"
But here Cecil interrupted; slipping
down from my side he went over t.
the doctors chair aud climbed on hi
knee.
Something sent my thoughts bacl
lo the time, three years ago, when