Year: 1873

But this uncertainty as to where the
child had gone, and what she was doing,
could not very long be borne. The time
came when | dropped everything, and
started in some concern of mind from the
room. looked into my chamber, but she
was not there. called, but got no an
swer Then [ ran up to the third story,
and pushed the door of one of the rooms
open hastily. In the middle of the bed sat
my little truant, busily at work with pair
of scissors on an elegant lace cape which
had cost me fifteen dollars.


With quick exclamation and an excit-
ed manner, sprang toward the little de-
structive, who, frightened at my tone and
appearance, suddenly threw up her hands,
and | saw the sharp point of the scissors
she held enter her cheek just below the
eye A scream followed, as the blood ran
over her face What a sickening sense of
pain and fear fell suddenly upon my heart
For some moments was half paralyzed
with terror and bewilderment Then
catching up my little darling, made an
effort to compose myself and responded to
the sober call of duty. Icarried her down
stairs, and though almost fainting at the
sight of her blood, held back my agitation
with strong hand and proceeded to
wash the red stains from her face, and find
out the extent of her injury.


The wound, happily, was not of Sc
riOus nature; but the imminent danger of
losing her eye that she had escaped, made
me shudder whenever the thought passed
through my mind, and 50 affected me that
/ grew weak and nervous, and on attempt
ing, after soothing her to sleep, to resume
my work, found that my strength was
gone.


And so, in my over-eagerness to "make
good day of it," had compassed the
loss of a day.


After trying, with an unsteady hand, to
make my needle do its work, [ threw down
my sewing in despair, and went over to
the chamber where [ had laid Hetty to
sleep. The dark red scar, just on the Or
hital verge, rebuked me as strongly as if it
mad been living voice. Dear child! How
could | have so forgotten the needs of her
opening mind? How could I have so
failed to realize that while I was absorbed
in my own employments, she must have
something to do?


For several minutes I stood bending over
her. Then going to the drawer in which
her wax doll was laid, [ unlocked it, and
taking out the beautiful effigy, placed it
on the pillow beside her. How sweet the
two faces looked; the living and the imam
innate. [ gaZed at them until my eyes
were blinded by tears; and then went
back to the sitting room, where [ made
anot her effort to resume my work. My
han d had grown little steadier but the
heart was gone. For very short time [
endeavored to force myself to keep on
with my appointed task; but, mind and
body both dissented so strongly that the
garments | had hoped to complete were
finally laid aside, not to be touched again
until tomorrow.


AS was doing this, sigh for my lost
day passed sadly from my lips. At this
moment | heard Hetty's feet and voice.
she had awakened, and finding Dolly by
her side, had forgotten all the past and
was as happy as a child could be.


Dear, dear, sweet Dollyp' she was
singing as blithely as if grief had never
laid finger upon her heart.


ooh, mammam she exclaimed, as she
entered the sitting-room, "you are so good
to give me Dolly to play WITH" and she
came dancing to me, with her dewy lips
put up to mine for kiss.


There was no rebuke on those precious
lips-oh no. That kiss was loves own
best expression; and yet it stung me with
remOrse.


Hettys trial was over her grief forgot
ten. But, on my bosom was laid the bur
den Of regret, and [ could not throw it off.
Her state of disturbance had passed like
the morning cloud and the early dew; but
mine kept pulsing on and shadowing the
hours that might have passed in cheerful
work.


l counted that day lost, except for the
lesson it taught me; for, when [ laid my
aching head upon it's pillow at night, I
could not look back upon any useful thing
accomplished. There had been fruitless
efforts to do many things; but my restless
state kept me fitting and changing, and
my halfformed purposes wrought out no
sure results.-Arttur'S Home Magasi1ae.