The Republican journal., 1899-08-17

ed glance of inimitable cOQuetry at her,
and swung off and away into the bound
less air. Then short and sharp came Miss
Grimshawe's voice, at the foot of the
stairs
winnie, Winnie. what are you doing?
Come down this minute! Are you moon
ing again.
Like an arrow Winnie shot out of the
room and down the many stairs, even to
the basement, where she belonged, and to
the suitable occupation of brushing Miss
Grimshawe's muddy boots.
If the stars in their courses fought
against Sisera, the elements fought against
Winnie that day. In half an hour the I'M
certain glory of the spring sky was dark
ened by black and threatening clouds, and
there followed furious thunder storm,
with a high wind and torrent of rain.
Just as the sun came ont Miss Merridew
came in, and went up to her room, from
which she descended to the second floor
in short order, with soaked and drip
ping bandbox in her hands. Miss Grim
Shave, summoned to her door, beheld the
wreck of chiffon, flowers and feathers
with chill of dismay. Then impending
fate fell full upon the lawful victim, and
Winnie, called too, rushed hot foot from
Wv OooSiiShes oSOC1 paw anu
before her judges, TO say why sentence
should not be pronounced, if so she could
But she did not try to speak. Her guilt
was proved and palpable. There was no
denying it. Miss Grimshawe was right;
she had been incoming again. She grew
very white. and hung her head while the
storm broke over it.
Miss Merrdew was always ladylike
however. She did not raise her voice nor
make a scene, but in closing she impaired
to Winnie the fact that she had intended
to give her her winter hat, which Winnie
had always looked up to as beauteous be-
You'd compare, but of course she could
not do it now. How could she, indeed?
This on the one side; on the other:
"To think of the ingratitude of it,
Wirnie, to do your work in this way,
When you consider the wages l pay you
almost enough to support your mother
and found, Winnie, think of that! Oh, l
am utterly discouraged with you! l can
not bear much more" Thus Miss Grim
Shave in deep detection. Meanwhile Miss
Merridew had withdrawn to hide her we'll
watered ribbons and her fearful eyes from
the notice of the Man in the Iron Mask,
who had just been heard to enter below.
As Winnie, in mute despair and re-
morse, started on her way to the base
ment, she passed an open door. Within
the room stood Mark Mallory. His grave,
impressive face was. if possible, graver
than ever.
Come in a moment, Winnie,' he said
in brief, short cut fashion.
Winnie entered the room in mechani-
cal way, wondering dullyif she had put
Mr.. Mallory's laundry where the rain had
found it, or had mislaid his evening paper.
''What is all this about?' he asked,
shutting the door, and looking down at
the forlorn little figure before him, not
unkindly.
Winnie did not speak.
LAS far as | gather" pursued the man,
whose iron mask seemed ON the point of
being partially, at least, withdrawn, "you
are in disgrace again from some careless
caper.'
Winnie only, bent her head little lower
to the blast which she expected now to
follow, for was it not everybody's bust
ness to scold her? Mr.. Mark Mallory
never had before, but no doubt it was
time.
"What is it, child, that makes you do
such things?' he asked gently.
The question was repeated, and the an
swer patiently waited for before, at last,
with a great sob Winnie managed to ar
tculate-
"I-moonw
The dickens you don' calculated Nh
Mallory, irreverently. What do you
moon about? Tell me, Winnie should
have fancied that blackening shoes and
securing knives would have a tendency to
cure one Of that habit.
''No," Winnie shook her head with
fresh sobs, Il do it all the more when I'm
at the shoes, and then | like Mr..
Mallory, | do awfully love to soar, and
that's what mostly gets me into trouble
Mr.. Mallory's mouth opened, but no
sound proceeded from it.
could you explain this practice a little
more clearly to me, Wiune?' he asked
presently, with his usual gravity and I'M
usual deliberation.
why, like flying, you know" Winnie
said, faltering still, but plainly encour-
aged; q always do it coming downstairs;
l suppose | do touch my feet, but still
don You see?-I think, anyway, that Pm
soarng,' and the round eyes dilated with
an evident keen delight in the cherished
illusion.
''Ah, l see. You would like to fly?"
commented Mr.. Mallory, still puzzled.
Eyes. But l do-almost. Only, you
see, it makes me forget. And when l see
bird, up high, SOFT makes something
inside of me just turn over. Haven't you
ever had ito" and forgetting her grief
Winnie looked up with freehearted child
like eagerness.
Eyes, | have often been taken the same
way. Or, at least, l think so. But it
was some years ago, before l had to wan
der farther from the East?' Why, Winnie
you are actually getting me to incoming,
too.'
Upon this Winnie smiled broadly, and
looked positively comely
'Well, you singular infant, since flying
would seem impracticable at present.
what of all earthly things would you
rather do, if you could?'
''Truly and honestly?" Winnie darted
the question at him with a keenly pene-
trating glance.
Mr.. Malloney nodded.
why" she said, with smile of chas-
tened bliss at a thought coupled with such
obvoius impossibility, ''of course I'd
rather than anything have go once ON
the merry go-round down at Turley
Beach"
''That is your Ultima Thule, is it?'' re-
turned Mr.. Mallory, the corners of his
mouth twitching slightly.
mo, sir, at least 1 never heard it call
- I I