Waterbury evening Democrat., 1892-08-25

There were delays upon delays, such as are known only to the builder who must get most of his material from dis tance. By the middle of August the walls were up half way of the second story; then the supply of bricks became exhausted, and Anthony, having tele- graphed in vain to the contractor, went down to Richmond himself to investi- gate the causes of delay.
 Marys guests were to leave her the following week to join her parents at Capon Springs, where Miss COnelia was also. Dan had como over by himself to spend the evening, because it was "lone- ly in the house across the raVinc without Anthony" he said. He sat i'll large armchair beside the center table, and tho light from the lamps fell full on his ruddy locks and made them glow and glitter. Little Ran, who was rarely ab sent from his side, was pcrched on the arm of tho chair, with his small bare feet on Dams knee. Suddenly he put up his hand to his friends head. How rcd your hair is!' he said, touching it; 'just liko coals of fire. l could mako believe it burned mc."
 "Hush, Ran" said Mary quickly; ''you must not Do rude, my child"
 But Dan put his arm about the boy and drew him closer. "Listcn," he said softly, and I'll tell you about it. Long ago-moro than thirty years-away in New Brunswick a little child was born. It was in tho winter and there was snow on the ground. From the trees and the lodges of the rocks and the caves of all tho houses iciclcs hung in long, close | rows, and every bow and branch and | tiny twig on tho trees and bushes in tho | forests and the shrubs in the garden wero cased in ice, and when the sun | shOno on them it was very beautiful. | But at night it was cold-so bitter cold, and the wind would rise and take tho | snow up in its arms and toss it about in fine soft clouds that blinded peoples | eyes and made them stumble and somo- 1 times lose their way, and it was very l dangerous to go abroad at night.
 | "Whcn tho little boy was one week | old thcro calnc dark, dark night, with snow and wind and terrible slcct. Tho | house Whcro the baby's father lived was l in tho country and stood in q great | yard that was almost littlo park. | About twelve o'clock there camC a noiso | under the windows of the mothers chamber, and tho dogs hOwlcd, and the cat on the hearth rug set all her fur OH end. Tho nurse went to the window and drow asido tho curtain, but it was so dark sho could sec nothing. 'Somo ono is lost ill tho storm, and old Bruno is straining on his chain,' she said com ing back to tho fire, which glowed warmly, and touching with her foot the rocker of the cradle whcrc the child was sleeping.
 "Thcn tho mother cried out from her bed that it must be seen to, and sent and had tho father walked; and he and the nurso went out and found in the snow beneath the window an old, old woman bent and gray and shriyelrd, so that the wonder Was how she ever got there She was almost frozen, and they carried her into the housc, and into the mother room, because there was tho noblest fire They laid her nca: it and chafed hel , limbs and wrapped her in warm cloth , ing and comfortcd her with wine. Ant tho mother, from her pillows, looked ol and told thclA what to do. Soon the olt woman opened her eyes. and the frs thing they hchcld was the fire. 'Hov bcautifulr she muttcrcd, and held ou hcr withcrcd hands; so beautiful! s bcautifulr and shc went on for man, moments murnuring about the 5eaut, of the flames. Presently she cspiod tn infant, and leaning over the cradle sh scanned him long and earnestly"
 Dan paused, his eyes shimmcring wit mirth.
 "Go onl go onr' said tho boy i'm patiently.
 "I know the old witch gave the chil
 rcd hair," murmurcd Ella; but go on.
 Mary said nothing, but leaned nearer . "Tho poor little thing lay there S
 pink and still and helpless, with it
 round bald head on the pillow and it
 small hands folded like roso leaves,
 continued Dan, "and he looked so innc I cent and lovely, that tho old woman O heart was stirred and she longed to q
 something for him. Passing her han
 therefore over his head and gazing tel : dcrly on the fire, she said slowly: T
 tho child of tho house that has sheltere mo and warmed mo l give the mo.
 beautiful thing in all the world. H
 shall be crowned with locks that glo p and curl like the flames that leap frol SI the heart of the coals. Their color sha
 rival the ruddy hue of the wine whic
 is warming my frame, and their textul
 shall be as soft and as fine as the silk
 the hands of the spinner
 "Then the mother cried out against
 for it seemed to her a cruel wrong
 put on a little child. Not so-it is
 blcssing,' the old woman said; for
 those who love him the locks shall glo
 with warmth and beauty until the - think that nothing in all the broad ear
 can compare with them, while to tho
 who hate him they will seem hideo1
 and suggest many unpleasant image
 and all who hate him will speedily
 part from him. And that will be goo
 for tho boy, because he will alwa
 have around him only those who To
 him. Then the old woman vanished |
 the chimney, Ran, in big puff
 smoke, and everything she said came