The Monmouth inquirer., 1898-08-25
CHATTER III. (Continued.l

ton answered. with smile; and
when the surprise is TO be a pleasant
one, it is q pity to spoil It,
He was in the room by this tire he
put his arm round his wife and kissed
her, as she wheeled his arin-chair near
the fire.
You must be bitterly cold she
said. looking anxiously into his face.
Il wish you had not to go out IN these
penetrating winds.
He leaned back in the char and
gazed into the fire, without answering
Rosy was busy unlacing his boots ana
warming bis slippers.
He had been like father 70 her-
the only father she had ever known.
and these hutie tasks she performed
lovingly, just as she had performed
them On the days when she had stood
no higher than his knee.
Mrs. Dellington poured out the tea,
and Rosy handed up the muffins.
She had had her own tea an hour
earlier, but just to keep away the
shadow of that dream she TOOK her
pace at the table and watched Tor me
om gentle smile to come to MI Del
liDgton's face.
sk4er was suffering from pad coda
cough which had troubled him all the
miuter, and tonight it seemed much
worse.
-KEsSe chest was in a continuous state
of irritation and his voice so hoarse
that he could hardly make his words
distinct.
You shall see something presently,
Rosy said, when tea was cleared
away, and he was reclining ianguldly
In his chair. Il won't Keep you
waiting long
She pushed the table up IN corner
and then hurried out of the room sing,
ing as she went.
Mrs. Dellington went to the piano
and played the tune the child was sing
ing.
Guessing what was to come she
turned up the lamp, and lighted the
four wax candles on the manteisheif.
Rosy grows prettier every day,
Mr.. Deliington said, speaking while
his wife played softly, bringing forth
strains of sweetness from the dull,
old instrument. She Will be a love
1y woman.
j shall be jealous OF her then, Mrs.
DellingtOn answered. You are so
&VAa0 Va A3sAs -N<tl.
'AShe is like our own child | wish
What, dear?" his wife questioned,
as he broke off, with sigh.
Il wish you and Rosy could be TO-
gether always. 1t would be sad for
you, or for her, ever to be alone
Mrs. Dellington felt a Tightening at
her heart.
The next moment she had crushed
back the half-formed rear
There was Jlngilng OF bells OUTSIDE
the door; a merry laugh, ana Rosy
bounded into the roonl-alinost taxing
Mr.. Dellington's breath away Win her
beauty.
She had taken of her dark serge
frock, and had dressed herself up IN
whatever bit OF tnery she had come
across.
Her arms and shoulders were bare
anu her long, falr hdlr waved pack
from her face in glorious mass of
natural curls-
Behold the FAIRY Queen. she SAID,
bowling low, with her beautiful arms
outstretched; then, throwing pack hef
head, she made frame OF her arms,
and glided into graceful dance.
There are forms mace for dancing,
ana AOsdiie was OHc VI theni.
She was tall for her age, yet exqui-
slteiy prOporuOned, from The dellcate
arch Of her little feet to the crown OF
her Weil-poised head.
Mrs. Deihngton ceased playing, that
she might watch the alluring move-
ments OF the beautiful dancer, and
Rosy timed her steps to the silyery
tune of her bells, now swaying like a
willow wand, now leaping so lightly
through the air that her feet scarcely
seemed TO touch the hoor
She was unconscious of any fatigue;
she danced like one possessed, her IS es
shining, her smiling bps parted over
her pearly teeth. her white arms
arched above her head, her hair hoat-
ing behind her IN = golden cloud.
Suddenly MI Delllngton got up and
caught her, almost herceiy IN MS
arms.
hosalle-stop. ne exclaimed. wv ny
DO you dance ike TINS!
She looked up at MIN with the laugh
ter sun IN ner eyes ana on her ilps.
Because want 20 pe proies-
slonal' sne saau- Oh, IL must De so
lovely 10 De real falry-queen, WIN
fO0tilgntS and music, ana gllttern9