Year: 1860

Ihs y. VI, 1AOIGN


Poor little Star was indeed lonesome af.
ter her brother had gone. She stood at the
narrow window, looking down into the
court. Here and there she saw human
face and sometimes heard the voices of chill
dren. A pale elderly woman came to the
window opposite, and gazed down into the
empty court. 1t made Star think of her
mother to see those sunken cheeks and hol-
low eyes, and she shivered as she looked
round upon the evidences of her recent oc-
cupancy. There stood the chair, mute and
solemn there we're the old spectacles fold
ed in their sheath. A few dresses were
placed upon one end Of the lounge and q few
plain caps, much worn. Oh! how every
thing she saw smote her to the soul! Only
few months before, how quick had been
the mothers step, the eye how clear the
voice how merry and musical She SEEM
ed to behold her coming from the dairy,
her cheeks rosy with healthful work. She
saw her looping up the vines before their
little cottage home bearing the homely
beer, of which heTfather was SO fond max
ing the bread and cakes for the Saturdays
great baking; doing all so blithely and
cheerily. She remembered how long she
had looked forward to this visit to york )
how she had saved from the milk and the
eggs enough for little new and special
fnery. And this-this was its termination
"a dark ill-furnished room for herself and
brother-a darker and lonelier for her faith.
er and mother . ..


Star thought till the solitude grew fright.
full, and she dared stand no longer at the
window, where now and then she could see
that white face, rocking back and forth as
her mother had rocked. So she started
from the place, aud taking cloth and scis-
sors, essayed to cut out some shirts for her
brother, his wardrobe having been wofully
diminished. But still, as she cutand basted
the sad thoughts overpowered her, and she
knew not how to drive them away.


Throwing down her work, she walked
back and forth with restless steps. If she
had but book with which to beguile time
There was nothing of the kind in the great
room. She wondered if one could be OBJ
tanned in any other part Of the house. She
had seen but few of her neighbors; they
appeared respectable. Could she but sum.
mons sufficient courage to ask, perhaps she
might be favored with the loan of some
volume.


Determined to make an effort and an ap.
plication, she moved timidly across the
hall, and knocked at the opposite door. 1t
was opened by man, bearded like pard,
and wrapped in loose, much soiled dres-
sing-gown. He was evidently caught in
extreme dishabille--hair unkempt-face
(perhaps) unwashed He started back on
seeing the beautiful face before him, and
uttered an uncouth exclamation in German.


Star was thoroughly frightened and knew
not whether to stand or run.


Il beg your pardon she said at last, in a
trembling voice, almost falling to the floor
in her confusion-1 thought I might bor-
row book here


The man did not understand. He shook
his head, placed his finger on his lip
pointed to his room-made all sorts Of queer
gestures, until Star, thoroughly alarmed,
would have tainted if help had not appear
ed in the shape of another bearded gentle
man, who fortunately spoke English.


'O!Oh don't make no APOLOGIZE, he said
gracefully-'we are very sorry to say to the
young lady, we have no English books
they not have come yet-but plenty in
German which perhaps the young lady does
not need?'


Star replied family that she did not, and
hurried into her own room, not without trep.
idation for she caught glimpse of the
two men looking after her as she closed the
door. Drawing the bolt she sat down trem-
bling and regretting her preciptancy.


What will they think Of me? what will
Frederic say?' she thought, resuming her
nervous walk. what child am to act
upon impulse But then thought there
were none but families in the house. I nev-
er dreamed that men might live here alone.
O, if had but sister-but a friend to
speak to! This terrible silence will kill
mep


At last she determined to walk out at
least few steps from the court. She knew
the way as far as the church at which her
brother and herself had attended service
for two or three Sabbaths. Seeing the
crowds of people, and looking in the shop
windows, would serve to amuse her for a
while, and give her something to think
about. She could purchase paper, from
some of the stands, perhaps two or three,
and so furnish herself with entertainment
till her brother came home.


Star did not know how beautiful she was.





Having been brought up in the remotest
part of Western county, seeing only the
select few, daily, whom her good old min
lister taught, she had never been the subject
of Aattery. She did not dream as she
wound the soft curls about her fingers, and
framed her delicate face in the little dark
bonnet with its edges of purple and white,
that her very fairness and pureness of ex-
preston would draw the eye of tie curious
upon her. Her garments were not fashion
able, but in her appearance was grace, a
gentle, natural dignity, that was better
than fashion. She drew on her little
gloves, folded her shawl over faultless
form, and accommodating to be sure that the