The First Violin

different members of my family; but I did not follow their example and seek enjoyment out-of-doors-pleasure in that balmy spring air. Trouble-t

me when first one and then another of them had left the house, on business or pleasure intent, and I, after watching my father go down the garden-walk, and

ng a lilac primula. I remember it distinctly to this day, and I am likely to carry the recollection with me so long as I live. I leaned my elbows upon this table, and gazed across the fields, green with spring grass, tenderly lighted by an April

iver might Persephone have paused to gather the daffodil-"the fateful flower beside the rill." Light clouds flitted across the sky, a w

up to the door, which, however, was at the other side of the house. "A visitor for my father, no doubt," I thought indifferently; "and he has gone out to read

hrough dominated by a heavy sense of oppression-the threatening hand of a calamity w

l woman walked slowly into the room. I rose and looked earnestly at her, surprised and somewhat nervous when I saw who she was-Miss

rked, in a harsh, decided voice, as she looked not so much at me as tow

rry," I began

arliest childhood; strange, because she was reserved and not given to seeing her neighbors' houses for purposes either of gossip or hospitality. I was aware that about once in two years she made a call at our house, the vicarage, whether as a mark of politeness to us, or to show that, tho

ld thus be interrupted, and not quite knowing what to

her well?" s

well. She has gone wit

r fa

nk you. He has a fun

ve two sisters,

laide and

hich a

m the sec

he took very much interest in me or mine. I felt my timidity increas

edderburn. Are you aware that you have a

t thought

ld are

ttle over

at do you d

"not much, I am afraid, t

to do things with a purpose for some

my tongue out with vexation. What could it possibly matter to Miss Hallam whether I were happy or not? She was

happy? Are your si

, n

r parent

ordinary woman she was and wondering what kind

cause for unhappiness you can

me of having uttered the wo

hat there is such a thing as unh

lips curved in a mocking smile, and glittering, snake-like eyes fixed upon my face. I shivered faintly; and she, thoug

in complexion?

-fairer than either of my sist

lot. I am to content myself with the store of pleasant remembrances with which my mind is crowded, when I can see nothing outside. A delightful arrangement. It

ays been my idea of misery to be blind-shut away from the sunlight upon the fields, f

lone?" I continued.

-to take care of you?" but I suddenly remembered

he, abruptly. "Did you think of

h a hot blush all over my

ing so impertinent, but-but-if ther

r. I wished most ardently that my mother or Adelaide had been there to take the weight of such a conversation

ernoon-afternoon tea I mean. You can go a

k you. Ye

ect you between four an

carriage," said I, hastily. "J

m our own gates, and then I returned to the house. And as I went in again, my companion-shadow glided once more to my side w