An Old Man's Darling

Bonnibel Vere arose from her sick-bed, the pale and

perfect health and fine constitution. But the weight of grief hung heavily upon her,

l night in which so much had taken place-

n that she asked for the mail daily. No letter and no message came from the wan

cloudless and serene as the blue skies[Pg 23] of summer. The rose forgot to come back t

shadow of an inward strife, And an unquiet drooping of

city a few days before and was making preparations to go back for the winter season. S

out upon the wide expanse of the ocean with its restless blue waves rolling in upon the shore with a solemn murmur. She love

in her chair, wrapped in a warm, white cashmere dressing gown, to which her maid had added a few bows of b

d the soft, babyish rings of gold that began to

y way. There is no one to care for my looks now," she added, thinking of

ply, the lines of vexation deepening in her face. "It behooves you

you, aunt," said th

rejoinder, "I suppose you think now, Bonnibel

rise, and the widow's eyes shi

e Francis has provided for my

and failed to provide for either you or Felise. Of course, in that case, I

ut a will!" repeated

Arnold answe

ckly, while a slight flush of excitement tinted her pale

g

s it?" inquir

t a few hours before his death that he had made his will, and provided

lirium of your fever?" inquired the widow, scornfu

are, madam," said B

ill has been found, either in the desk or in the hands of his lawyer, where it should most probably be. The lawyer

ive upon, then," sai

len upon her. Her sorrow was too fresh for her mind to dwell u

Your father left you nothing but fame; your uncle left you not

tared at h

niless," Mrs. Arnold

girl, gravely, twisting her litt

the lady inquired, wi

eks of the lovely invalid. The tone and glanc

away from here, I suppos

her chair, and to Bonnibel's surpris

ected that you, spoiled child as you are, would ever do me justice; but do you think I could

this dramatic exhibition of fine feeling. She bega

not know what your feelings would be upon the sub

do so, but I will keep you with me and care for you the same as I do for my own daughter, until you marry, which, I trust, will not be long

g

fair, childish face was agai

he lover-husband who had left her months ago, and from wh

have to take care of you all your life. I expect you and Felise to marry when a suitable parti presents himself. My daug

tely, handsome

Saturday," she said. "Will you

ot," said Bonn

you in our absence. I will send you a traveling suit of mo

answered, and the wealt

el laid aside the bright garments she had been wont to wear, as she had already laid aside the joy a

er life again, Saying o

down to the shore to have a parting row in

dally in the home she loved so well, and which was so inseparably connected with the two beloved ones so sadly lost-the uncle who had

ad. No message came to her from that far Italy, which was the beloved Mecca of Leslie's hopes and aspiration

yal little bride. It seemed to her that death was the only thing that

the blue waves. A fresh breeze was blowing and the water was rather rough. The breeze blew the soft, short rin

g

louted like a banner of gold on the breeze, and her

thought, mournfully. Yet nature was as lovely as ever, the blue sky was mirrored as radiantly in the blue sea, the su

now and then a silvery fish leaped up in the sunshine, its scales shining in beautiful rainbow hues, and shedding the crystal drops of spray from its body like a sho

the girl that never knew a sorrow. I am Bonnibel

e blue sea-flower that grew in a crevice of the rock, and stood still a moment looking o

; It frets and foams on the shell-strewn shore, Forever and ever, and evermore. I crave no flower from the wood or field, No rare exotic that hot-beds yield; G

litude. She turned quickly and found herself fa

ing in the air, her frayed and tattered finery waving fantastically about h

itter waters of sorrow were about to flow over you?

zing in terrified silence

er lover who went away before the summer waned? Is he false, or is he dead, mai

g

dly. "Why do you intrude on my gr

even though it be but to hate me. I tell you your sorrows are but begun. New perils environ your future. Think not that mine is but a boasted art. Those things whic

, turning away with a shiver of unreason

king after the girl as her slim, black-robed figure wa

ul as an angel, gentle as a dove. But beauty is a gift of the