Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1893-06-09
Chapter Y.

Mr.. Eyre did not 90 down to the sta
ton to meet his son, but sent little
Madcap and her nurse, so that when
the tall, handsome lad jumped out of
the train. little unexpected toddling
shape rushed into his arms with shout
of joy, and kissed him with all her soul.
! Darling, ducksy Madcap!' said the
boy, devouring the velvet cheek of his
idol; land I've got the rabbit here all
Safe-and what q smart little girl it
ISL he added as he put her down.
Dot new muff," she said, showing
her unusual tinery with pride, land a
new bonnet (she pushed it to one side),
and new bOOts-lots of buttons" and
she extended one pretty leg, and held
up her petticOats to show it." land lots
of new frocks at home, haven't l, Nan?
Eyes, Miss Madcap," said the nurse,
you've got plenty"
but where is Josephine?' said the
boy, looking ut the woman; ''has faith
or sent her away" and the hot blood
showed in his cheek as he spoke.
"Oh, no. said little Madcap, as her
nurse hcsitated; Il think she's sick
she's dorm away ever so long ago. O.!
what q dear little wabbit!' she added
pecpinC into the covered basket Doune
carried; and in her excitement over it,
the boys froWn vanished, and soon the
Young pair were driving toward LOvel,
the nurse being seated beside the coach
nan, so that there was no hindrance
to the children's talk.
"How is Digges?' said the boy, pres
emily II hope he's brought my dog
all safe, and -"
90! Digges is don, too" said little
Madcap; ''he went away before Joey
'spects something's happened to him,
poor Digges!'
80 that's how my father is begin
ming thought the boy, with darkening
broWS. They were good enough to
take care of Madcap for years, but he
cleans them out directly he comes back,
only, perhaps he did not use these
exact words, though this was the gist
OF his thoughts.
Never mind, ducksy," he said, as he
! put his young arm around her, IN take
care of you now, and Wen have a
for he won't trouble the nurseries"
But Madcap was too much taken up
with the white rabbit to notice the al
fusion to her father, and had, indeed,
altogether forgotten him till some ac-
cident should bring him to her mind.
The sun was setting in blood-red be-
hind the furze-crowned rock that gave
Mr.. Eyre's house its name, as the child
rem approached it; but Doune looked
first toward his mothers room, the win
dow of which stood open. At the
houSe-door there were servants only to
receive them; and at once the boy suf-
fered himself to be led away to the
nursery, where, finding everything just
us it used to be, his spirits rose, and he
busted himself about looking over old
belongings and arranging fresh ones.
The nurse had gone to the garden to
fetch food for the rabbit, and not until
tue two We're halfway through the
gorgeous tea did Madcap remember her
father
Doune saw her blue eyes suddenly
widen as she put the morSel down un
touched she Was carrying to her lips
and wondered what was coming as she
; lifted two dimpled hands in child's
dramatic way, and. nodding with in
; tense gravity calculated:
''Dad"'
Doune started: when had he and
Dody ever called that terrible man any
thing but father?
, Poor old Dadr' said Madcap, in ar
accent of intense pity. Use quite for
got him; come along of me and sex
hint"
She got down from her high chair
i and pulled at the boys hand as sh,
, spoke; and though he went with, i
| was unwillingly, and with his hear
: hardening at every step.
/ Mr.. Eyre was busy with his steward
( heard those short and longer steps ap
I preaching his study, but did not lool