Northern Wisconsin advertiser. [volume] (Wabeno, Wis.) 1898-1925, 1902-10-16

she enjoyed staring at herself in her
friends long mirror, 1t was hard to
tell which was the prettier sight, the
child herself, or her innocent delight
in her appearance.
The party itself was fairyland to
her, and the beautiful lawn and gar
den, lighted by Chinese lanterns as
darkness fell, the luxurious mansion,
the gayly dressed children and best
of all the music for a small orchestra
was provided, and there was dancing
on the broad piazza.
There was lull in the music while
the performers were having refresh
ments, and Mile was playing an ex-
citing game of drop the handkerchief
in the summer house, when a child
came running to join them, he said,
Mrs. Hancock wants some one to
play for Going to Jerusalem and |
was afraid she would ask me, so l got
out of it. Somebody told her that you
could play, Mile Currier, but she
does not know where you are, so you
are all right"
Millie flushed at the mere thought
of playing before so many people, and
she was tempted to remain where she
was, but Miss Testers influence made
itself felt. She did not formulate it,
but she felt unconsciously that since
her kind teacher had done so much
for her, it was only right she should
make some use of what had been so
generously given her. And so, de-
spite the remonstrance of the others,
she left the game and returned to
the house.
Very timidly she made known her
errand to Mrs. Hancock, who smiled a
kind approval upon her, as she thank
ed her, and told her that the children
had run away, thinking the game was
given up but would probably soon re-
turn. In the meantime would not Mil
lie play one of her pieces? Mrs. Han
cock asked.
There were several people in the
drawing room, among them gentle
man whose appearance had created
some excitement from its being so I'm.
expected.
Mr.. Darrah was an old friend of the
since they had seen him, owing to his
long absence abroad. He happened
to be travelling through their part of
the country, and finding that he
should be Obliged to pass the night at
Eastern Junction, only ten miles dis
tant from Hardwick, he had hired
horse and carriage and driven over to
call upon his friends.
They were delighted to see him,
and Hospitality urged him to spend the
night. He declined the invitation,
however, as he wished to take the
first train in the morning from the
junction, and so must drive back that
evening.
They assured him that he could not
escape dining with them, as they had
postponed their dinner until o'clock
on account of the children's party.
He expressed his pleasure at being
able to do so, and they were in full
tide of earnest conversation when
Mile came into the room.
He was in the midst of a sentence
when his eyes fell upon her, and he
suddenly stopped, evidently much i'm
pressed in some way by her appear
ance. He watched her intently while
she played, and at the close, when
others were applauding her for having
done so remarkably well, he went
over to the piano and began to talk to
her.
Mrs. Hancock, seeing his interest In
the cnnd, proposed to Millie that she
should take him to the refreshment
tent for an ice. The arrangement
was most agreeable to both of her
guests who were soon on such
friendly terms that the gentleman
panion's dress.
eff you can buy such pretty things
in Hardwick,' said he, Il shall advise
my lady friends to come here to dc
their spring shopping"
81 guess you were never in our
Hardwick stores,' answered Millie,
laughing merrily at the idea. mo, in
deed, this dress came from Paris!"
and not without pride, she glanced at
her companion to observe the effect
she was producing by her surprising
| statement.
He looked as startled as she could
have wished.
SIS that where you do your shop
ping?" he inquired, smiling. though
his voice had curious sharp ring.
ooh, of course not. l never was
there. My music teacher gave me
this"
"And her name?" he asked breath
lessly.
Miss Lester" said Mile.
He drew a sharp breath. miss
Margaret Lester?" he demanded.
Eyes, that is her name" replied Mil
lie, surprised in her turn at his ex-
citement.
"And she is not married?" con-
tinued Mr.. Darrah.
mo, indeed. She is all alone. Her
mother died last year, and she is very
sad and lonely"
Both father and mother dead!
Poor girl" he said softly, and seemed