Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1895-12-12
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. we'll versed in modern social forms
" morality as yourself.
! Nina hastily interposed. sob. my
lear Conte.'' she said laughingly,
nay no attention to Signor Ferrari!
! 1e is rash sometimes, and says very
'rolish things. but he really does not
/ mean them. 1t is only his way! My
DOR dear husband used to be quite
exed With him sometimes, though he
as so fond of him! But, Conte, as
NJ know so much about the family,
am sure you will like to see my lit
,e Stella. Shall send for her, or are
-on bored by children?"
ton the contrary. Madame. l am
@crd of children 1 answered with
Nniced composure. though my heart
hrohbcd with mingled delight and
'::nny at the thought of seeing my lit
.le one again. "And the child Of my
old friends son must needs have
double interest for me-"
My wife rang the bell. and gave or
lcrs to the maid who answered it to
send her little girl to her at once. Fer
rari meanwhile engaged me in con-
versation, and stroye could see,
by entire Difference to my opinions, to
make up for any offence his previous
remark might have given. A few mo-
ments passed-and then the handle of
the drawing-room door was timidly
turned by an evidently faltering and
Impractical hand. Nina called out i'm
patiently-sCome In, baby! Do not be
afraid come inv' With that the door
slowly opened and my little daughter
entered. Though had been so short
time absent from her, it was easy
to see the child had changed very
much. Her face looked pinched and
woe-be-gone. it's expression was one
fear and distrust. The laughter had
faded out of her young eyes, and was
replaced by serious look of panied
resignation that was pitiful to see In
one of her tender years. Her mouth
dropped plaintiyely at the corners-her
whole demeanor had an appealing anx-
iety in it that spoke plainly to- my soul
and enlightened me as to the way she
had evidently been forgotten and ne
elected. She approached us hesitat-
insly, but stopped half way and look
ed doubtfully ut Ferrari. He met her
alarmed gaze with a hooking smile.
"Come along. Stellar he said.
you need not be frightened! l will
not scold you unless you are naughty.
Silly child! YOU look as if l were the
giant in the fairy tale, going to eat you
up for dinner. Come and speak to
this gentleman-he knew your papa"
AT this word her eyes frightened,
her small steps grew more assured
and steady-she advanced and put her
tiny hand in mine. The touch of the
soft. uncertain little fingers almost I'M
manned ME. l drew her toward me
and lifted her on my knee. Under
pretence of kissing her, I hid my face
for second or two in her clustering
fair curls, while I forced back the
womanish tears that involuntarily fill
ed my eyes. My poor little darling!
composure before the innocent
tioning gaze! had fancied she might
possibly be scared by the black spec
tacles l wOre.-children are frightened
by such things sometimes.-but she
was not. No; she sat on my knee with
an air Of perfect satisfaction though
| she looked at me earnestly as almost
to disturb my self-possession. Nina
and Ferrari watched her with some
| amusement, but she paid no heed to
| them,-she persisted in staring at ME.
Suddenly a low sweet smile.-the tran
quill smile of a contented baby dawn
3, ed all over her face; she extended her
little arms, and, of her own accord,
put up her lips to kiss me! Half start
i led at this manifestation Of affection,
l huriedly caught her to my heart and
! returned the caress, then looked fur
lively at my wife and Guido. Had
| they any suspicion? No! why should
/ they have any? Had not Ferrari him
self seen me buried? Reassured by
this thought addressed myself to
Stella, making my voice as gratingly
harsh as l could. for dreaded the
child's quick instinct.
You are q very charming little
lady" said playfully. "And your
name is Stella? That is because you
are a little star, suppose?'
She became meditative. "PaDa said
l was,' she answered softly and shyly.
Papa spoilt your interposed Nina,
pressing flmy black bordered hand
kerchief to her eyes. "Poor papa!
You were not so naughty to him as
you are to me.
The childs lip quivered. but she
WAS silent.
"Oh. fie" l murmured half Gliding
~. Are you ever naughty? Surely
not! All little stars are good-they new
er cry--they are always bright and
calm"
| Still she remained mute-a sigh,
deep enough for an older sufferer.
heaved her tiny breast. She leaned
her head against my arm and raised
her eyes appealingly.
Have you seen my papa?" she ask.
ed tilnidly. ''Will he come back soon %
For moment did not answer her.
Ferrari took it upon himself to reply
roughly.
Don't talk nonsense. baby! You
know your papa has gone away--you
were too naughty for him. and he will
never come back again. He las gone
to place where there are no tiresomc
little girls to tease him"
Thoushtless and cruel words! I al
once understood the secret grief that
weighed on the child's mind. When
over she was fretful or petulent, they
evidently impressed upon her thai
hAls IN thar han JAg l..