Year: 1870

watched the white glories of the rising moon
spreading over the highland valley in which
We were. When we entered the hotel again,
and went into the sale manger for some
coffee, We discovered the younger of our fel
| low toilerS sitting meekly by himself in a
corner of the room. A table was spread
for supper before him, and he was patiently
awaiting the arrival of his father
His large blue eyes looked tired and sad
his golden curls hung tangled over his
shoulders no tender hand had cared for
him after his weary walk l saw the tears
standing in my wifes eyes as she whispered
to me, He has no mother to take care OF
him. This, thought, was a hasty con-
clusion to arrive at and | said so. Ny wife
wiser than |, | suppose-shook her head
and entirely disagreed with me.


We fingered over our coffee for some time
longer than necessary. The patient child
sat silent in the dark corner now and then
the blue eyes wandered inquiringy toward
the door, but found no answer there. An
hour passed away, but his father-if the
man we had seen was his father, and of this
we had no doubt-never came.


Il can't stand this, John, " said Laura to
me, Indignantly IF somebody doesn't t
give that poor child his supper, Ill give it
to him myself"


| demonstrated mildly; Il don't think
we have any right to interfere, my dear
No doubt his father is taking nap up
stairs, and he will wake up and be down
directly"


Nap, indeed T. retorted Laura, rather
savagely. Indeed, | had no idea till then
that my sweet bride could be so savage if
she choose. Nap. indeed with that dar
ling starving in accomplishing silence
I've half mind to ask which is his room,
and give him rou<ing he won't easily for
get.


This. l thought, would be highly i'm
proper proceeding upon iaura's part; aud
l ventured to say SO. She contented her
self with repeating, with greater vehemence
than before, Nap, indeed II


At that moment we heard the heavy
sound of the diligence. aud the gag jiugling
of the horses bells, as it stopped at the
door of the hotel. Cold aud muffied pas
sengers--for we We're some seven or eight
thousand feet above the sea--came into the
room and partook of various drinks; but
they soon cleared out again. The horses
had been changed; and. with great
smacking of whips and loud pealing of
bells, the huge diligence pursued its road to
Italy.


The paIe-faced, golden haired child still
sat quietly in the dark corner. Once or
twice the tired head sank upon the little
shoulder, and for 4 moment or two he drop
ped asleep. Then he would wake up again
AMI stare at the unkind door, which at ev-
cry opening brought no relief.


After the diligence had been gone some
twenty minutes, and Laura had got into
state of fidgets which threatened to pass all
control, the landlord and head waiter came
into the room, looked at the little boy, then
talked together voluOly in whisper, looked
at the little boy again, and shook their heads
in mysterious manner Then the land
lord advanced straight to where we were
sitting


"A thousand pardons for asking the
question; but do Monsieur and Madame
know anything of the little gentleman yon-
der %


No, nothing; beyond that Monsieur and
Madame passed the little gentleman and
his father as they ascendei the pass.


rs Monsieur aware that the father is an
Englishmau ~


well, Monsieur had guessed as much,
but could not say more"


well, it IS very strange. 1t is some
time now since these two arrived. The
father engaged room. and ordered supper.
The father had said that his luggage would
be deposited by the diligence but the dill
gence had come and gone, and though par
tieular inquiries were made, the conductor
was quite sure there was no luggage such
as had been described to be deposited at
this hotel


There must have been some mistake. .


mot possible. The authorities are very
particular in these cases. And where is
Monsieur le pere p


Gone to sleep in his chamber, proba
bly,, | suggested.


Not at all 1t is empty There is
nothing whatever in it. In fact the gentle
man was seen to leave the hotel the moment
after he had ordered supper and given in
structions about his baggage, and has not
returned.


Laura was watching the uncomplaining
child. The large blue eyes were directed
toward US, as if guessing that he was the
object of our conversation. She could not
restrain herself any longer; aud she rose
from her seat aud went up to the child. He
shrank little, | thought, as she approach.
ed, but there was something about her face
which speedily reassured him.


You are little English boy, are you
not?" she said, as she sat down beside
him.


lie murmured. Yes" But could see
a working in the little white throat; the
poor, tired manikin was striving bravely to
keep down his tears


you want your supper, do you not p