Little Golden's Daughter

er young heart full of pain and anger at th

ral lofty and empty old rooms, she emerged at last in the sunny bay-window where

int just parting her coral lips, Golden

tle dismayed; she had been

old Dinah stood at a table ironing some simple white garments for her yo

olden had ever known after her grandfathe

isped her name, the girl had familiarly called her "black mammy

ckly before she had re

ammy, where

that she dropped the flat-iron she wa

I've dropped de flat-iron, and e'enamost burnt my blac

ndpa?" repeat

saw how pale she was, and what a strange light gleamed in the

ld man ain't a-nid-noddin' in his arm-cheer

little Golden, wit

as she vigorously rubbed a fr

from her immediate grievance by Dinah's news. "Uncle

mammy," said Dinah, shaking her head. "All I know is dat he come looki

ent?" sai

, a-hobblin' off as sweet as a l

ld not like you to speak that

y. I spoke my mind afore

d," replied her young mistress, readily. "Th

ith a shade of an

long gone, d

aid busy Dinah, "but ole massa

ndow to await his return. She was burning with impatience to tell him the cru

owers, herself the fairest flower of all, and leaning her

ed her as it had often done before. Living in the same house, and nearly related as they wer

had questioned her grandfather and she had questioned

r thoughtless, girlish life in the ruined rooms of the wester

ng, then Golden heard the murmu

heard one sentence spoken in the

ant it is to us that you should keep Go

ed to an outdoor life, it will injure h

id John Glenalvan, cruelly. "If she had died long ago it would h

ssed on. They came in at the front door, passed down t

g on his oaken cane, and sought his favorite chair at the sunny windo

art up from the chair with a white f

ned against him. He felt her

tter with everyone? What have I done that some wish

ld man pressed fondly on her droopin

en's daughter," t

s been saying such

e done was to be born; and that my mother was the first to disgrace the name of Glenalvan. And, grandpa, I heard wh

held the quivering little form against his breast with loving

r her. Indignant pain

be hated by my kind," she sobbed. "Am

beautiful as an angel," he answered,

she wailed. "I would love t

not help but love you, my Golden," said the old man, bitte

on her thick lashes. "They are cruel and unjust to you. Keep away from their presence and forget that the

shoulder, her breast heaving with t

n, dear grandpa. But tell me, oh, tell me of my mother! Can it be

lighting secret from your knowledge. Ask me no more, my darling. Dismiss it from your thoughts. You have always been happy heretofore. Be happy still. You are innocent, pure and beautifu

king earnestly into his face, while l

rd request of me, darling, but I have promised that it shall be

out me?"

pper chambers which foolish peop

ight quiver pass over the delica

It is only foolish and superstitious people who believe that silly tale. Golden, would you be willing to remain secl

tle faster over the b

andpa, why should they wish to hide me aw

ur existence. Do not mind them, pet. Perhaps they are jealous and fear that he might fall in love with you. That would never do, bec

yes flashed with

hy should I shut myself up in prison, away from the sunshine, and the

. "I have promised them that you will do

ed rooms, grandpa," said

daylight I h

the daytime,

ng to fear. My little darling, I have loved you and cared for you all your life, and I

r white arms round his neck,

ather, mother, friends and home to me all my life! I have had no one but you,

and thanked

"but it will not be for long-and John is so violent, I had to promise for the

the child-like girl, but she

in blessing, on her hair

hapless daug