Imágenes de páginas
PDF
EPUB

GERTY ROSS.

CHAPTER I.

OT many years ago, on a fine May morning, sitting with my window open, listening to the caroling of the birds, and wondering if the postman had a letter in his bag for me-for I had been expecting one several days-I saw a man pass slowly by, apparently waiting for some one. Up and down he went, peering into every window, and starting suddenly at every sound.

He was a little, thin, elderly man, with a very white face, and sharp pinched features. His black eyes were ever moving restlessly about; and ever and anon, his thin long fingers would nervously twitch together. He was dressed in a shabby suit of black; and what caused him to look more remarkable, was his white shirt, with its conspicuous lawn frill and diamond pin.

So interested had I become in watching this stranger, that I forgot all about my letter, until I was startled by a sharp rat-tat next door. Anxious as I was to receive a letter, I did not even give one look at the postman; for my eyes were riveted upon the old man, who had drawn back a little into the shade of a doorway, with his arms outstretched, and pale cheeks flushed.

Looking in the direction in which his eyes were fixed, I saw a child—a little girl-running. Her white sun hat had blown off, and her long, flaxen curls were flying in disorder behind her.

Now she has reached him; he has gathered her in his arms, and she is kissing him in the fondest manner. She strokes his sunken cheek with her little hand, and laying her head on his bosom, they weep together.

What can it mean? It seems very strange! The child cannot live far from here, for she has evidently escaped from some house close by, judging from the style of dress, which consists of a white muslin frock, white pinafore, and blue sash; and her feet are only protected by a pair of thin slippers.

[graphic][merged small][merged small][merged small]
« AnteriorContinuar »