Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1892-01-01

gives up again.
Mr.. Penfold smiled.
'Chancery would be without appreciation
II 1t could let you go after once having had
the happiness Of holding you in bondage"
Ally came back crying. She had broken
her dolls leg and nothing would do but
that 1t should be set and properly splinted-
| a matchbox and some tape serving for
surgical purposes.
Peace being restored, Mr.. Penfold took q
tender leave Of both Dorothy and Ally, and
left them with light heart.
lie afterwards wondered that no warning
voice had whispered to him that harm
would come to his dear ones.
Dorothy watched him away with tear
dimmed eyes, the strange foreboding still
weighing down her heart with giants
hand.
Taking little Ally's hand, she went UP to
the nursery, and tried to busy herself with
some needework, but the hours dragged
heavily, and she got nervous and trembled
at every sound.
Now Pierce had left Ally in her charge,
she felt unreasonably anxious about the
child, and would not allow her out of her
sight.
Towards dusk she went to her room with
Ally in her arms.
As she went along the passage, woman
in dark cloak stood back to let her pass.
The light was dim, yet Dorothy knew the
woman was stranger, so she paused and
said:
Pardon me, you do not belong to the
house, believe. Tell me. which of the ser
wants do you come TO see"'
III am a relation Of Agnes Garth's. am
waiting for her now. How is the little lady?
Give me a kiss, Miss Ally"
The child looked closely at the woman
for the first time and uttered shrill scream.
1T is the dream-woman, Miss Snow. Send
her away"
The woman who was young and remark
ably handsome, shrank back, her dark eyes
flashing angrily.
Dorothy fastened to her room, trying rs
she went to soothe Ally's terror.
The child was shaking with fear, and, as
! IL 1t were contagious, Dorothy trembled too,
and felt afraid Of she knew not what. She
wished the night had passed, and decided
TO keep Ally up till about nine, and then 90
to bed with her.
While she was dressing, she gave the
child her beautiful cross 10 play with to
quiet her, and old Agnes tapped at the door.
Come in" said Dorothy, pausing, brush
in hand just rs she was about TO smooth
Ally's dark curs.
II have come to fetch Miss Ally Jane
wants 10 battle her early,as she and friend
are going 10 Cardiff to see the circus to-
night"
II will battle her and put her to bed,
Agnes"
1T will be troubling you too much, Miss
Snow. Come, Ally, don't keep Jane wait
ing"
mo, Ally, you must not go. Pardon me,
Agnes, but Ally is in my charge, and ii is
my pleasure to attend 10 her"
Like nursemaid,' said Agnes trife
insolently.
MY dgnitycannot suffer in your masters
service. l have decided. You need not
wait"
Agnes went away, silent but wrathful.
The woman still waited in the hall.
1T is no use, my dear you can't see the
child tonight. The governess, as she styles
herself, won't allow the child to leave her q
second. Masters orders, like enough"
Curse him"'
flush, my girl someone will hear You.
Remember curses, like chickens, come home
to roost."
The woman looked dreadfully disappoint-
ed. and bit her nails viciously.
But go away early in the morning, we
perform at Gloucester in two days time, so
| shall not be able 10 see Ally again. 1t Is
hard | may not have access to my own
child"
1T is hard, grant you, Alison; but you
brought the punishment on yourself"
81 have good mind to take her away by
force. She is but baby, have right to
her"
You forfeited that right when you wrong
ed her father. Surely you would not make
him suffer more than he has done already?
He dotes on the child; her loss would drive
him mad"
II wish it would. I'd have him wrlthe in
torments. hate him."
You cruel woman. Alison! He is right
TO keep the child from you, II he wants to
make good woman of her."
He'll never do that, she has got too much
of the wild Gypsy blood in her veins. She
is the very spit of father"
"More's the pity. What my sister, poor
soul, could see in that man, | can't make
OUT
Don't speak against father, aunt, or !
shall hate you. lie is good TO me. whom all
the world revles he is proud of his hand.
some girl, as he calls me-"
"Handsome is rs handsome does, to my
cold; shall get you something before you
venture out?'
NO; want nothing but sight Of my
child. Food or drink under this roof would
choke me. I'll 60 and sit by the fire, though;
1t is cold, it cuts one to the heart"
Alison followed Agnes down to cosy
room, which was called the housekeeper's
parlor. Alison took of her hat a snowy
arrangement of feathers and velvet and re-
moved her long sealskin mantle.
Seen by the bright light, she was a grand
creature, fine animal, perfectly formed,
but devoid of soul.
The olive shin flashed into pomegranate
bloom on her cheek; her great black eyes
flashed in liquid light; her hair was thick,
shining like black satin, and had beautiful
waves In ii.
She smoothed it with plump white hand,
flashing with jewels. A square mirror, in
black carved frame, hung over the mantel'
piece.
Sba took Nama-ootprpI handkerchief