The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1899-08-18

face and fresh young voice attracted the
attention OF q Hsummer boArdes," which
species was rather rare In that out OF the
way ipeality. This ons was spare,
sharp voiced, elderly lady, who immedi.
atsly proceeded to have Laura engaged
to her as q sort of companion.
1t was q great advance for the Girl.
She studied music, Travelled greet deal
with her benefactress and mingled with
people Of culture. Yet 1t was at best a
lonely, l'veless existence and rather a
trying one. combining as it did the
Offices and duties of maid, companion
and daughter. Mrs. Farnham admired
the slim grace Of the girl and delighted
In her voice and was fond Of her in q
way, but 1t was cold, QueruIous, pat
rdniEing way that was very bitter at
times to poor Annie Laurie.
One summer evening their train was
delayed at way station, and they
stopped at the hotel for the night. Mrs.
Farnham retired after a light refresh
ment, but Laura, filed with the vague
resdessness that comes to young things
beneath the yastness Of the moonlit
heavens, stepped cut into the night.
She had thrown q light shawl over
her head, and with q sense of freedom
and dreamy delight began walking rapid
" through the quiet, grassy streets, and
along the fragrant lanes, and then down
the wide silent road whose trees cast
somber shadows across its brightness.
A light streamed out from the west
windows of fine old mansion half hid.
den In Its grove Of naples, and Laura
leaned her arms on the gate and looked
over at it.
Little did she dream that this was
the gate through which she had toddled
10 years ago on journey which had
never brought her home again. She
looked at the moonlit lawn where she
had played so often, at the old house that
was her own, but never a thrill stirred
her heart never a whisper of the truth
came to her through the night. BY and
by she turned and went on.
1t was growing late, and with q sud.
den remembrance Of Mrs Farnham she
began to retrace her steps aud wondered
bow far she had strayed.
Just in front Of the old mansion
sound arrested her, and she paused in
the road. 1t was a chord struck on an
old piano In the lighted west room.
Presently a voice joined the music, q
voice Of such unutterable pathos and
warming that it came through the night
lie cry.
1t was Annie LAURIE the tender old
love song, and the girl in the moonlight
listened spellbound. Strange memories
crowded upon her, shadowy forms and
faces and long forgotten words. 1t seem
ed as II the mists were rolling away;
slowly, slowly, things were growing clear
err.
Fascinated, she moved forward across
the lawn to the open windows, as if
drawn by the Lorelei song. She saw a
slight gray haired woman sitting at the
old piano with her back to the window,
aud then she stepped over the low sill
into the room.
How strangely familiar, like a dmly
remembered dream! Surely, surely, that
quaint, carved armchair; surely she re-
members that chair! The little whatnot,
with its shells and ornaments; surely she
had seen 1t before! That little white
woolly lamb in the corner, why, that
was her lamb.
The music throbs in her brain, rising,
falling; ah, she has heard that before;
1t is the music that is bringing it all
back to her, that song is part of her very
being. Why, she is Annie Laurie!
On silver thread of music the scatter
ed pearls of memory are being strung I'M
til at last they form perfect chain.
Over and over again comes the touching
refrain bearing such world of sorrow
and yearning and resignation.
"Her voice is low and sweet,
And she is all the world to mel
And Dr. bonnie Annie Laurie
I'd lay me doun and deep
Softly fireworks die away, and slowly
the graz bead droops until it rests upon
the piano. Then like lightning fash
memory bridges the gulf of years, and
with great cry the girl filings herself at
the woman's feet.
Mother, mother"
They hold each other close and never
doubt comes to either, for Mrs. Arnold
sees her dead husband in the features Of
the girl before her, and her sore tried
heart finds peace
What need to bring out the counterpart
of the little cambria Dress or to trace the
lost child's journey step by step? That
Is all done by and by, but tonight they
want only each other.-Louisville Cou-
rier-J Journal.