The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1897-09-12
The Sovereign of the Village.
"a story in the English magazine. Mac
Millan's. In four parts.)
PART w.

! "a story in the English magazine, Mac
! Millan's. In four parts.)
/ PART w.
Norry opened her eyes. and stayed her
peevish whimper She d.d not recognize
him after eight months. and she was TOO
oppressed by the atmosphere of the sick
room TO smile
''Norry. don't you remember your friend
Grandby. whom you took to see Jacky
Molloy's puppy ne asked. dropping into
her fathers chair and taking the white
baby hand in his
Norry stared az him in an effort OF MEM
DRY. To the healthy eye there is world
OF difference between daylight and candle
light, and small wonder so little about the
stranger struck a reminiscent chord. She
frowned Grossly and turned 20 her mother
for explanation.
You remember the gentleman Mrs. Mol
10y called the Marskiss. Norry?" whisper
ed her mother. And suddenly Norry re-
inembered. Her sick, small face wrinkled
and quivered IL one Of the old brigh. smiles
as faint as the echo Of melody. Oh. yes,
Dandy. remember: and stupid Mrs. Mol
10y says ever since that he's the Mars
kiss"
She'll get well, Mrs. O'Neill; she must.
By heavens. We can't let her go. III send
messenger off this very instant for Sir
Martin Bunbury."
The Marquis stood and kissed the child.
and strobe away TO post one of the Hall
servants up TO town by the last train for the
great doctor. He broke his appointment
with his son. and stayed on. calling every
day at the O'NeilFs. He was quite a hui
manzed figure for his tenants by this. He
was bound TO them by common tie, for
he. too. acknowledged their queen and
hung upon their wilkins. Because she
spoke of the lake and wished she had
boat he teiegraphed for the loveliest boat
that money could buy. She soon grew to
know him as well as Father Sullivan, or
the Curate. or the Doctor. But she was
faithful to old friends. and preferred Muir
ply, the tramp, and Pat Malone the big
Sergeant.
The great man from over seas. summon
ed at the Marquis's expense, was al first
dubious, then convinced that nothing could
save the child.
The Marquis was seen coming down the
street from the park avenue. and it was
decided to question him after his visit like
an ordinary fellow-mortal His hat was
tilted over his eyes. and there was an air
OF sadness about him that stirred the spec
tators to belief in some latent virtue in
him. He was a hard landlord. true but
then Norry liked him, and he had grown
fond OF the child. Surely ne might be
pardoned not having reduced their rents.
His knock now was not so seif-assertive
as on the first visit. The young father was
down stairs. with his head on the table,
shaken by terrible sobs. Sir Martin Bun
bury had delivered his appalling opinion.
The Marquis silently closed the door and
stole up stairs. Outside the sick-room there
was no sound. He peeped in and saw it
empty. Much amazed he wandered down
again, and met MarcelIa crossing the hall
with a cup in her hand; the back of the
other she held against her eyes. where's
the child?" asked the astounded MARQUIS.
She's down mere, sir. She wanted a
change. and the mistress carried her 10
the drawing-room."
AS she spoke she opened the door, and
the Marquis marched in. Mrs. O'Neili sat
near the fire with a bundle of fiannels
IN her arms, and out of this two tired
blue eyes gaZed at him.
"Dood-morrow, Dandby." said Norry. |
with a touch of the ole spirit The mother
pressed her lips against the brown floss |
curls and smiled wanly at her landlord. |
A-morrow." Norry went on, lifting her
head wilfully and striking out thin arm |
In her eagerness, I'm be better, and I'll |
take you to the lake, Dandy. with my |
boat; won't \. mother?''
Yes. darling. said the courageous |
young mother.
And papa1i tum, too-won't he. Dand- |
by?'
IF it's fine, Norry. but you know papa |
and / couldn't go out if 1t rained We'd |
catch cold,' said the Marquis, stroking her
hand
She wrinkled her little marble face in |
ghost Of her sweet pink smile II had
the old light, but not the color, and she |
spoke with some Of her quaint ardor and |
broken Tsp. Little children don't mind |
the vain. do they mother? Me and Tommy
O'Brien used TO wun out in the vain 10
grow big. But 'tisn't the same wifi big
people. 1 s'pose.''
She had not spoken SO much for long
while, and her mother hardly knew wheth-
er TO hope or to be afraid "Norry mustn't
tire herself If she wants to get well" she
TO suggest.
"Oh. mother. Norry isn't tired a bit. /
fink she is better. Mother, do play the
piano for Norry.'
What shall mother play?'
Play Polly Perkins you know. moth
er. the fling the Sergeant sings Do you
know Polly Perkins, Dandby?''
II you like 70 crafty her. Mrs. O'Nein |
III take her" sad the Marquis reddening |
VIII desperate glance Mrs. O'Ne.n de-
posted the whimsical baby in his arms. and
after she had complied with her despo,'s |
for a tish. half staggered over
10 the piano, blinded by her tears. 10 play
the wretched vulgar tune just imported
from the London music-halls.
Never was Ta-ra-ra-boom-de-a played
n an atmosphere more tragic. The de-
graded jingle rose in the astonished silence
nothing less discordant and inappropriate
han IL IL had been played in a church.
For Norry alone it was no. out of place.
She remembered her friend. the Sergeant.
md made gallant effort 10 sing his par
by. In a thin. hurried voice she quiyered.
With painful earnestness:
Polly Perkins had To sense,
She bought a fiddle for eighteen pence;
And all the tune that she could play
Was Ta-ra-ra-boom-de-ay-
She closed her eyes with the violence %
Ter effort to finish the verse and nestled
Ter little brown head against the arquis's
.rm.
Marcells came In with something for her
o take. bu, the mother and Lord G-andby
ield up an arresting hand. There was
irowsy look upon the chid's face that
promised slumber. She muttered something
-agCeiy. AID the Marquis bent down 10
.atch the words. feeling that he could
leveE forgive the Sergeant IL it proved
o be Ta~ra-ra- boom-de-ay. He ISM
darskiss al ALL" she sad. IL spite OF the
'eavy feelings CT The moment, Lord Grand
~ Involuntary smiled
And when az last the blue
yes opened. and unfeversd sleep
lad gwen a fam. t.nge TO the van
heeks, he ins;iactiveiy held ont his hand
0 the father and cried cheerily: There. /