The L'Anse sentinel. (L'Anse, L.S., Mich.) 18??-current, 1903-08-08

have to wait overlong for that pro.
pitious occurrence.
Alma has been here three months
Mrs. Brown was right. She has
chased the somber shadows out OF
these big, quiet rooms and the sound
Of her light footsteps. of her swee,
voice calling me to go riding or boat.
ing with her, the exhilaration of hel
bright, lovely presence, has brought
another life into Branleigh Hall.
Alma saw very little Of her father
she tells me. He wandered around the
continent and at watering places (and
Monte Carlo), while she was at school
in convent in Paris.
Her mother died ten years ago. ]
had not thought 1t SO long. How time
flies.
am glad Alma was not with him.
What fascinating, honest child she
is. His would have made pernicious
influence. Nor can Alma grieve for one
she hardly knew.
"Are you happy, child?" I asked her
few evenings ago, when we came
back from brisk canter and was
lifting her down from her saddle.
Happy? never was so happy In
all my life, Cousin Hugh" she said,
resting her little gloved hands on my
shoulders.
l was passing by the wing part Of
the house the other day and heard
Alma's joyous, mellow laugh. I stopped
and looked in Mrs. Browns room.
Alma sat on the floor. her sleeves
rolled up, stemming Strawberries for
Mrs. Brown. who was concocting
something at table, and the theme
Of conversation l gathered was our
family ghosts.
Alma's arms and hands are exquisite.
Like Parian marble. A ray Of sunlight
was falling over her splendid bronze
hair, and noticed her eyes were
not purple blue, like her mothers, but
dark gray, honest, frank and true.
No, she had not inherited any Of
Arthur's traits.
OF course the neighbors have focked
to Branleigh Hall as soon as issued
few informal invitations.
Alma Is clearly the sensation of the
day and hour In our exclusive society.
But l wont have Catherine Weihtley
and her fast set spoil my little girl and
brush the bloom Of her exquisite fresh
ness away, by their reckless cynical So
ciety talk.
Sue Darlington laughed at me last
night. my. dear Hugh" she said, "you
are too absurd with that child. You are
a hen with duckling. positively. No
body's going to steal your jewel, at
least not tonight. A little later. But
you are worrying needlessly. Alma
is very clever, assure you, and her
convent education does not prevent
her from forming her opinion about
men and wonderland very accurate
one 1t is. Nobody can spoil her."
was glad such was Mrs. CARING
toms opinion. Sue lives and breathes
for her world social and Paquin is the
idol she worships. But underneath her
laces and frivolties, she has a warm
heart, and considerable brains in her
clever little worldly head.
Having assumed the responsibility
of Alma's life, must, of course, carry
II through. The child must have her
Paris gowns, and fiirtations with BRAIN
less youth.
I have not legally adopted Alma as
ny child. But have remade my will. |
5ranleigh Hall could never have a
more exquisite mistress than Alma,
md she will know how to administer
hese broad acres and properly care
or the splendid old place. Penroy will
lee to the mines and other properties
or her, should my guardianship be
emoved. Penroy is entirely trust
worthy.
have no special reason for dislik-
ng the man, John FELTON, is considered
fine young fellow and rising lumi-
AIRY in his profession. But his too
,reat Difference to my opinion jars on
ne. His attentions to Alma are entire
Y too conspicuous to be either in
God taste, or ignored. Has he caught
he child's fancy? God forbid!
The night is quiet. and have paced
Or long hours this deserted room.
here Alma's presence fingers, striv-
1g to look into the troublous future.
My heart Is heavy with foreboding,
nd wrung with sorrowful anxieties.
lima came into my life, and has glori-
ed 1t. Am to lose her and settle
ack into the gloom and dryrot of a
seless and aimless existence? will
Ike Alma abroad.-New Orleans
ines Democrat.