Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1907-04-26
CHAPTER III.

cornwall, IN the close atmosphere of the
gray, hazy heaven that canopies a low
London neighborhood, on the same day,
at the same hour, another child, a girl,
sat in a squalid room; strange, elf-like
looking child, with dark hair and eyes.
She also was gazing upon a picture,
but one of another kind to that which
fascinated Arthur Penrhyddyn. 1t was
only common photograph taken upon
glass. 1t was a picture of herself; and
never did a high-born beauty arrayed for
ball contemplate her reflected image in
plate glass with more pleased attention
than did this child of poverty that mis-
cradle inartistic sun-picture.
Now she held it straight before her,
now obliquely, now in the full light, and
now in the shadow; now she frowned and
then she smiled. 1t was Narcissa who
had fallen in love with herself.
While she was thus engaged, humming
tune all the time, a stout, dirty-looking
woman came into the room; but so alb
sorbed was the child that she was un-
conscious of this presence until the in
truder spoke.
What have you got there, Eleonore"
my picture" answered the child, with
out taking her eyes off the beloved object.
Mother had it taken yesterday"
"She had better ha' bought herself a
bottle of cough medicine, or ha' kept her
money towards her rent than have spent
1t in such rubbish" retorted the woman.
But l wanted it, and l would have
IT." cried the child, with the air of a
duchess who had been reproved for ex-
travagance.
You're a nice young chit, you are "
exclaimed the woman. I'D buy you like
nesses, if l was your mather; I'd buy
good cane for your back"
The girl answered, with a derisive
laugh, IF any one was to beat me, I'd
put poison in their tea-I'd smother them
with the pillows when they were in bed
I'd put pins into their earsw
why, you horrible little wretch ]" cried
the woman, shrinking back involuntarily.
"Ha ha ha! !" laughed the child, clap
ping her hands; you see, you, great, big
woman, are afraid of little me. But
come here, Mrs. Drew" she went on,
changing her tone to one of winning soft
ness come and look at my picture
don't you think I'm very pretty?" and
she looked up with an arch, coaxing
smile. All the malice had died out OF
her face, which now wore an expression
of baby-like innocence
What a witch it is" muttered the
woman, who approached her shrinkingly
as though she thought her a thing "un.
canny."
But am 1 not pretty, dear Mrs
Drew" repeated Eleonore, still more
coaxingly, and holding up the picture. 81
shall be fine lady some day, and ride in
my carriage, and have such people as you
to wait upon me-"
Here the conversation was interrupted
by the entrance of a pale, consumptive
looking, poorly dressed woman.
Mamma" cried Eleonore, running tc
her, Mrs Drew won't tell me that | an
pretty"
THAT is because Mrs. Drew Is afraiG
of making my little girl vain," answered
her mother, STOPPING down and fondline
her.
"Oh, you're as bad as she is," criet
Eleonore, pushing her angrily away; "a
wish you were dead ~
II haven't patience with you. ma'am.
cried the landlady; you're running thai
girl. You'll have a heavy hand will
her, and she so ungrateful for all youl
indulgence, too"
"Oh, the darling doesn't mean 1t: It /,
only her pettishness," murmured tn,
mother.
I'D soon beat the pettishness out o.
her if she was my GIRL" muttered tn,
landlady, as she went out of the room.
Il have come back to you with goot
news, my darling" said the mother. "You,
good aunt has sent us sufficient to tax,
us away from this dreary place int
France, where we shall find kind friends.
"And shall have fine clothes, and golt
rings, and necklaces, and silk dresses. anc
servants to wait upon me?"
"You may not have all these, darling
but you will have a comfortable home
and pure air"
''The rest, then, will come afterwards
If they do not, l hope 1 shall die.
would sooner be dead than poor. AND
we shall soon leave this house and Mrs
Drew"
Hush, my darling She has been YER,
good to us. But for her we should Otter
have been without food Sand had she beer
harsh, as most andlades are, we should
have been turned into the streets. NJ,
Eeonore must not be ungrateful"
"But all this is over-we want M
more favors from her now. She said sb,
would beat me If I was her child: ant
she would not tell me 1 was pretty; ant
hate her !" cried the child vindictiyely
Madame Scissors was the widow O
a Frenchman, an artist; who, two year,
before, had died, after a lingering i'll
ness, in very straitened circumstances
The match, which had been dstasteful t.
her friends, had utterly estranged then
from her.
A weak-minded, nerveless woman, aftel
her husbands death she gradually fel
into great poverty. A few weeks back
the clergyman Of the parish In which sh,
was lodging, who had taken a great In
<arasf in nor urnta IN NJ Got..o~.