Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1908-11-06
CHAPTER /.

street, and the tramp ana JOStIe Ol tn'
crowd on the sidewalk; but Ethe
Guenther, who had just gathered ur
a dozen yards or more Of magnificen
Persian silk in her delicately gloVec
hand, preparatory to getting into the
carriage, turned suddenly:
"Au revoir," murmured Mac Vaunce
lifting his cap.
Miss Guenther bowed.
I'VE shall meet at the reception to-
night" he said, throwing a dark, smil-
ing glance at her over his shoulder.
Her splendid eyes flashed their de-
fiance full in his own. What words
could express half as much? He
turned on his heel.
Please. will you show me the way
home?" softly petitioned the small
voice again.
1t was time for Miss Guenther to no.
tice 1t, for the owner had pressed close
to her side, and one daring little hand
laid hold of the Persian silk as If II
had been the cheapest Of prints. EtheI
looked down and saw a tiny figure in
gray cassock, and a little, upturned
face, framed in mass of long, brown
curls, and so pale and delicate in col
or that it seemed as if the sunshine
had never touched 1t. A lovely face
but a frightened and bewildered one.
Mac Vaunce had gone. Away from
him, Miss Guenther could act herself
She took the little snow flake Of a
hand from the silk into her own.
Where is your home?"
The child gave the street and num-
Der, clinging fast to the fair patrician
Not a fashionable street, but highly
respectable one, and Miss Guenthel
was in a democratic mood.
How came you to be lost?"
Il was with the other children
answered the little voice, "and-and
somebody came between us, and can't
find any of them now"
The small voice sounded as if its
owner was getting ready to cry.
And don't you know the way?"
The look that crossed that pale, meek
face Ethel never forgot.
"Oh, but 1 am blind. you know" "
said the child.
Blind Her large eyes were wide
open, and blue as harebells-beau-
tiful eyes, with nothing but a vacant
shadow in their depths to betray the
dreadful truth.
Lat urn alone "
pleaded the little trembler. "Oh, please
take me to Nea.'
The gloved hand holding the childs
frightened round it.
What is your name?"
Daisy Halstead: Nea calls me
Blossom"
II will go home with you," said Miss
Guenther
Aunt Dilloway looked out of the car
riage.
Ethel, my dear. what are you do
ing? We have five calls to make"
You can drive on" said Ethel, curt
ly; II am not going"
Aunt Dilloway sank back among the
NSlNSI Carthage WIN
astonishment. Miss Guenther stepped
from the curbstone and went off across
the street, leading that strange waif
What was to be done with such girl?
The child belonged to the canaille, OF
course, and might have disorders about
her. 1t was really dreadful.
Ethel saw the matter differently
The street and number that little Daisy
had given We're at no great distance;
if she could escape five calls with Aunt
Dilloway in this manner it was rather
fortunate than otherwise. The child
was beautiful as picture; no wonder
that passers-by turned to look after
them.
Miss Guenther drew down her rich
lace veil and walked on in silence
Somehow the sensitive little heart al
her side instinctively felt for the cause
oc that silence, and grasped it.
Are you sorry that I am blind?'
she said, timidly.
Yes" answered Miss Guenther.
"Oh, I was born So" said the sac
little voice. II never saw any one
not even Nea," adding reflectively, 6,
wish l could see Nea."
And who is Nea?" asked Ethel.
Don't you know him." said Daisy
So thoroughly surprised that Ethel:
gravity trembled for the moment
He sees for me-he is my brother
and l live with him."
OH"
Dear Nea!" said the tender little
yOice
Ethel revolved the name Halsteac
over in her mind. She had certainl!
heard of it before: it seemed strange
~ familiar.
What did the lady in the carriag'
call you?" asked Daisy, evidently anX
inus 10 discover who her protector was
was.
Miss Guenther smiled down at th'
face upturned TO her, forgetting th'
sightless eyes.
Ethel"
Ethel WHAT" curiOusy.
"Guenther"
Daisy pondered.
Il like your name; Nea will like II
too. because you have been so kind t
me-
Little Daisy, do you know hom
rhen you reach it?"
She laughed a real happy. childlsl
laugh. and sprang up the steps.
was a quiet place. and the house ha'
an old. respectable look. Some one ha'
inst gone up and left the door aiar
T,aisv pushed it wide open. The stair
bcvond looked dark and narrow.
"Wnn YOU go up with me-" sai'
Daisy softly.
1t was = bit Of courtesy on the rar
Of the child. bnt Miss Guenther coul
not he snnnosnd to know that she haI
every nook and corner Of the old p'ac
nv heart. and could GO ahont II VII
eurer stems in her blindness than MIS-
Guenthar could have done with ne
great hpzal ewes wide omen. 50 sh
went IN with DAISY. Thrne H'"hts