Hilda's Mascot

mhouse, built of gray stone, with dormer windows in the roof, broad window and door sill

e and a meadow, would have been opposite the cottage of Jerusha Flint, on the other side of the road. It was

itality, but it was seldom that the farmhouse wore such a festive appearance as upon one evening the m

bride being Mr. Merryman's sister, married at her father's resid

e bridal party, and Mrs. Merryman, seeing her husband drive down the lane in the lead of three other sleighs, re

glass-she was hurrying up the stair-way to her dressing-room when she heard

g with his gray locks, his thin garments protected him but poorly from t

not wait," she answered hurriedly in respons

rning meekly away. "Archie is hungry and tired

as possible and descended in time to receive Mrs. Courtney, who passed on up

r own efficient maid, Norah, Diana Strong had the management, and through the kindness of Mrs. Courtney, Kitty was her h

er her silken attire. The words of the half-frozen wanderer kept up a refrain in he

light and heat, the kitchen redolent with roasting poultry; and she had refus

tter tears welled to her eyes, but she controlled her feelings, for the h

r rooms. Friends invited to meet them were coming in couples and groups, and she welcomed all smi

pon a chair by the western window; not watching with childlike interest the passing sleighs with their joyous jingl

the village on business, and wish you to be

icture she had seen at Dr. Lattinger's where

n white, grouped about a harp upon which one of their

the angels lived, and was told

ven?" she had

e, pointing to it from the window of

parents and her Aunt Ashley awaited her. All that was required of her was to follow the sun and it w

med very near to her, and she ran to join it on its way. On and on she ran, the snow not crushing under her rapid tread. The air chilled her, but keeping the sun as a guide she pressed on. It sank below the horizon, but Hilda followed, guided by the ruddy glow which marked the spot where it descended. It grew dark and the chil

eaming of many lights, a

herself. "It is not far away

lors danced before her eyes, sweet music charmed her senses. She was growing less weary; a pleasant warmth comforted her, and her eyelids were heav

were her attendants grouped about the piano, was singing, when at the window appeared the wande

ay, as he stepped through the window which Mr. Me

uickly toward them. "We must take her to a

ar her where Mrs. Merryman would direct, when Diana Strong, hearing the subd

hands and turning pale with emotion. "What

Lattinger, Mrs. Courtney and Diana were doing all in their power to restore the little girl, she took him to the kitchen and s

oying his supper at a table in another corner of the

Mose, that don't knows you,

ound her?" Mrs. Merryman asked Archie

chie thought she was looking in at the people. Arch

ed Mrs. Merryman kindly.

e heard sleigh bells and people coming in with horses, and was afraid they would drive him away. Archie

had recovered sufficiently to be taken to the nursery where D

weary eyes. "I heard the sweet music and saw the beaut

me," said Diana tenderly; "go

le girl; "I am tired, so tir

she watched her sleeping, and tend

ich had been loved and cherished by Mrs. Ashley. Sadness had its place upon the wan face, the p

d by knowing that Hilda had found a good home; for the next morning Mrs. Merryman received a note from Miss

at her gate and helped him place in it three trunks which had belonged to Mrs. Ashley. They contai

, rejoicing that she was at last free from the burden that had oppressed her. So sprightly did she become, in addition to her naturally independent and arbitrary

s, had seen the places of interest in the neighborhood, had heard the traditions and chronicles

-to which Hilda, sitting in Erma's cradle, was listening attentively-and had

without glancing at Norah or Hilda he went directly to the seat in the

da in delight, "he has br

, but Archie has brought something," and untying a plaid handkerchief he gave her a dead oriole, a bit of moss, se

ing-room, Archie fell asleep in his chair, but awoke to take supper with Norah and Perry; then went to the room

was looked upon as the elder daughter of the house and was treated as kindly as though inde

s to the village church, she never had a glimpse of Jerusha Flint, from which

nts upon the porch when Mose, hat in hand, made his appearance with a note

cceptance of the invitation, was met by an assentin

n Hilda's beauty, arranged her hair in soft, full ringlets and helped

e carriage drawn by a pair of ponies, and finding Hilda and Erma there took them out for a drive, and after tea he took them

n the range of her knowledge, among them the arrival of Norah's aunt from

pose?" remarked Mr. Courtney, with a view t

near Norah; and Aunt Merryman will try to get her a place as hou

all seeming to Hilda like the almost forgotten remembrance of a dream. Then they ascended to the second floor, then to the third and from thence up the narrow stair-way to the walk o

ey turned to descend, Hilda being

me up!" she said in a half whi

y, in surprise, and, stepping to

stood at the foot, with bowed head and folded hands, bu

e subject, glanced into the rooms, but not a living creature was to be see

he said to himself as he locked the hall door upon their exit, and if Hilda not

erryman upon the piazza, while Hilda and Erma, attracted by

mighty glad to see yer; we has no little chillen no mo', an

sked Hilda as, holding Er

l hab gone to heaven whar ol' Andy will go in de heavenl

courage to go near enough to him to whisper her request. Her indecision brought the delicate bloom to her

ture; that is just the tru

, turning sharply about. "Ol' Satan an' de lookin' glas

cle Andy, you know that your own

ilda; "don't let nobody make you sassy of yer beauty, fer bime-bye, if de good Lor

asserted Chloe defiantly. "Wrinkles is coming

at I done jes' say, Chloe; de strongholt is mine,

f she had tried. When she an' Mars Courtney was bride and groom, dey was de han'so

Yes, Kitty, dey was good to de pore an' 'flicted, and too busy hel

dis yer world, dat's ce

Courtney's grandmother-honey," he said, turning to Hilda, "an' she done come sweepin' down de piazzy steps, holdin' de long train ob her habit ober her arm

was young then, but I remember

t the manners, Uncle Andy

eetur 'till mistus mounted into de saddle, an' took the bridle, an' was starti

her and grandmother," said Kitty, proudly, "they

brother Valentine accompanied them across the meadow to their home, and their conversation