Year: 1873

Is not WITCH.


The heap Of winnings Was now re-
duced to . single gold piece. double
Frederick dor. The little old woman
seemed to hesitate she looked eagerly
At her notes, then took up the money
ana disappeared. 90 rapidly that did
not see her leave the room.


should scarcely nave remembered
the circumstance Of the parsonage who
seemed to have impressed Harry SO
strongly, but for the appearance of the
mysterious little old woman again at
the table two or three days afterwards.
This time, was determined to watch
her ; it was in the afternoon, rather
dusk, but before the tables were light
ed.


She had an umbrella, on which she
leaned with a limping gait, the old
bonnet. and . large dark shawl. She
went straight up to the table, and with
out hesitation placed double Freder-
ick dor on a single NUMBER think
it was three. looked at her as the
table turned; her hands were tightly
clasped, her neck stretched out. The
umbrella on which she leaned for
walking-stick had fallen down, and she
did not seem aware oft.


Ellie ne tourne plus-trois p said the
croupier. The little witch had won
thirty-six double Fredericks.


She gave an unmistakable shout OF
ecstasy. oh! beautiful : said clear
shrill child's voice, and she snatched
up the gold pieces, and actually ran
out Of the saloon. turned TO follow.
but she had disappeared, leaving the
umbrella on the floor. picked it up,
thinking it might lead to some ac-
quaintance with the mysterious little
person.


My invalid had become worse, and
l was much taken up with him, and did
not go to the Cursaal for some days.
Sitting one afternoon in the garden
with him. we were listlessly watching
some children, both German and Eng
lish, engaged in . game Of hide-and-
seek, chasing each other round the
trees. A little girl whose remarkably
graceful movements had caught nv
attention, suddenly exclaimed with
laugh and shout: OH beautifulr


Ike S0ios was iAeusical-I ccusd MOT
mistake it-with that OF the old woman
Of the Cursaal. WAS determined to
be convinced OF the fact, and when l
again looked at the perfectly childish
creature of eleven years old, / could
not believe her to be the same. Irose
from my seat as she came near, but
was rather puzzled how to accost her.
have an odd sort Of shyness with
children, feel SO afraid Of encounter
ing either Of the two extremes of shy
ness or pertness. At last bethought
me Of the umbrella.


Stop, my little lady, said very
timidly. She looked round wondering,
and with the softest blue eyes in the
world. Have you not lost something
lately! the other evening in the Cur
saal.'


Poor little thing! all her fun and
| frolic were gone. She blushed and
hung her head, and ! saw the ready
childish tears swelling under her eye
lids.


Il don't know, - she murmur.
ed; and felt SO guilty in tempting
her to an untruth. that l said at once:
You dropped your umbrella when you
were dressed up the other evening"


She came quite close up to me all
her shyness was gone. u SIR she
said. If you have found me out, don't
tell upon me, pray don't. Never mind
the umbrella; and, sir, if you should
see me again so dressed like an old
woman, don't take any notice.


But, my dear little girl, or my dear
old lady, / cannot promise anything.
because / am sure l should laugh.
What can be the reason of such dis
guise'


She had not the shadow of smile
as she answered.: j cannot and NAV
not tell you; and perhaps was wrong
not to say at once, No, it was not my
umbrella'-and yet that would be
story. 1t is SO hard to know what is
right-isn't it, sir, sometimes!'


Her companions here came to call
her to play, but she said in German
which she spoke like q native: No,
must 60 home now Then turning to
me with . sort of involuntary conf
denee, she said : There is no body but
me now to attend to poor papa, and it
was very wrong indeed OF me to stay
playing here


Il wish,' said !, you would tell me
something more Of yourself; l might
help you, perhaps, and your papa too.
She shook ner head sadly. Il dare
not she said. 1t would vex him 90
; much that he might die. We don't
want anything now-just now, mean ;
: only il you see me again there, don't
tell any body; for, you know'-thia
she said in . whisper-'they won't let
, | children nlavs