The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1902-12-21

i
| and trespassers were not allowed to enter
| there. He stopped and looked around doubt.
full
Then his eyes distinguished bet ween the
thing white: the white frock Of little girl
who was sitting on the ground and weeping
| pitifully Geofrey turned back.
| What's the matter. little grip" he asked.
in protecting tone. Have you hurt
care Of you"
The child was about years old; a deli
cate looking, pretty little creature, with
| long fair hair and large blue eyes, now
drowned in tears. She lifted her face to-
| tiny forefinger to her foot from which
the shoe had disappeared. A little stain OF
| red on the white sock showed that the little
| foot had been hurt.
| Where's your shoe?" said Godfrey,
with real concern. you have hurt your
self. let mo See"
| The child gave him her confidence I'M
| hesitatingy., She stretched out her hand
! and helped him to pull the sock Of the
dainty little foot. II had been cut by a
stone, and slightly bruised "a II by fall.
1T hurts" she said. with a sob.
yes. I'm sure it does" Geofrrey an
swered earnestly. See. I'll tie II up with
my HANDKERCHIEF, must carry you.'
alton. will carry you home. Where
do you live? Where IL your house?"
over dere." she said. pointing vaguely
with her finger in the direction, as Geoff
| know, of the keepers cottage, "over dere'
Ii was with some difficulty that Geoff
| lifted her into a comfortable position in
his arms. She was not very heavy but
he was unaccustom TO carrying small
children and he gasped little as much
with alarm a. with fatigue, as he emerged
from the trees upon the open road which
ran past the Keepers cottage. outside
the gate of the little wood.
"Muvver muvver!" cried the little girl,
waving her arms delightedly. as a woman
came out of the cottage and hurried toward
the advancing pair. -Muvver me got
nice good horse!"
20 Winnie. Winnie. you naughty little
thing! Where have you been all by your
self?' cried the mother. lifting the child from
Geofrey's arms. and clasping her. to her
were lost. / have been all over the village
looking for youl"
Boy brought me home" said Winnie,
waving her hand triumphantly toward
Geof.
Winnie's other held out hand to Geof-
frey. and smiled at him, although her eyes
were full of tears.
You brought my little girl home,- she
said; and then her eyes cleared and her face
changed suddenly. -You!" she exclaimed.
-You-you-brough her back to me?'
Yes. ] did," said Godfrey manfully.
although he could not help a feeling of slight
surprise at the strange tone and expression
which she had. as II seemed, involuntarily
adopted. She had hurt her foot-and her
shoe was lost-and l carried her
He could not tell why the lights and shad-
ows chased each other so swiftly across her
face. He only knew that she put winfred
down. and bent forward holding her arms
out toward him with SO motherly a gesture
that 1t Was perfectly natural TO run into
them and TO pillow his head against her
shoulder.
My dear! my dear" she murmured pas
sionately. 20 my dear-my dear"
clung closer to her and threw his arms round
her neck
Are you so glad that brought your little
girl back" he said wistfully
am glad--yes-very glad she answered
with sobbing breath 81 am glad that you
emphasis on the word
Me in particulars said Godfrey.
Yes, You in particular returned VIM
MES mother, with little agitated laugh.
She strained him closer to her breast, and
then released her hold. Il WAS glad YOU
were kind 10 her. for Of course, ] know who
you are. You are Godfrey Allen Tempest,
and-it is good thing that you should be
kind-to-poor people like Winnie and me"
is that alp, said Godfrey: in disap-
pointed tone, Il was thinking was hoping.
you know-that you liked it TO be me
because-because- because
-Because9' said the woman. with all her
heart, as it seemed in her voice and eyes
Because, perhaps, you liked me, too
spite of himself. Il have 30 few people
to like me, you know
.Oh, you poor. dear boy" she said fold
ing him once more in her arms, Il will like
you'll will love you, II you will let me.
You poor lonely little boy,'
And Godfrey felt her tears upon his face
She was Mrs. Allen. he understood after
wards: and he noted with surprise and sat-
isfaction that her name was like his own.
She had taken lodgings for the winter in the
keepers cottage; and he gathered from
Jameson. the keeper, that she had left Lon
don because her child was too delicate too
bear the November fogs.
She was very poor. Jameson added and
she " anted to exc out her income by giving
music lessons to young people. She had
hired piano from the neighboring town,
lust wonderful"
Georrey reflected upon this information,
and after much elaboration he spoke to
his grandfather. They were sitting over
the dinner table on which dessert had lust
been placed, when the Squire, noticing
the, puzzled frown on Geoffreys brow, said
suddenly:
What's bothering you nowY'
May / learn to play the piano. grand
father, please'' said Geofirey. coming
out of brown study and looking up at the
squire with blue. untroubled eyes.
THE piano! Heavens, no. You'll be n
man some day / suppose. What should
man learn the piano for?'
1T isn't that | care about the piano.
think it beastly-playing exercises and
all that. But there's a lady living at jamie
sons and she's poor, and teaches the piano,
and i thought IL would be rather nice II
learned from her. because then you could
give her good lot of money for the lessons,
don't you see, grandfather"
Il see, indeed" said Mr. Tempest with
q short laugh. A very ingenious idea
Well, IL II is a question of charity, don't
mind helping her. Five pounds any good?"
"Oh, she isn't that sort" said Godfrey.
coloring holly. "She doesn't want any
one to give her any money. She wants
to earn II, don't you see? That's why
should like to learn Of her"
Not that you care about the piano,
ehy' said Mr.. Tempest, looking at him
Il don't think l do. I hate the notes
and the horrid noises make But like
TO hear other people play. And should
like to have lessons Of Mrs. Allen"
The Squire drowned over III. request,
hut 1t seemed that he made some inquiries
As to Mrs Aliens capacities and general
responsibility: for in day or two he re-
marked abruptly TO his grandson:
The rector's children are taking music
lessons Of this Mrs. Allen. You may take