Bad Hugh

It was very quiet at the Columbian, and the few gentlemen seated upon

the piazza seemed to be of a different stamp from those at the more

fashionable houses, as there were none of them smoking, nor did they

stare impertinently at the gayly-dressed lady coming-up the steps, and

inquiring of the clerk if Miss Alice Johnson were there.

Yes, she was, and her room was No. ----. Should he send the lady's card?

Miss Johnson had mostly kept her room.

'Lina had brought no card, but she gave her name, and passed on into the

parlor, which afforded a striking contrast to the beehive downtown. In a

corner two or three were sitting; another group occupied a window; while

at the piano were two more, an old and a young lady; the latter of whom

was seated upon the stool, and with her foot upon the soft pedal, was

alternately striking a few sweet, musical chords, and talking to her

companion, who seemed to be a little deaf.

"This is Miss Johnson," and the waiter bowed toward the musician, who,

quick as thought, seized upon the truth, and springing to Mrs.

Worthington's side, exclaimed: "It's Mrs. Worthington, I know, my mother's early friend. Why did you

sit here so long without speaking to me? I am Alice Johnson," and

overcome with the emotions awakened by the sight of her mother's early

friend, Alice hid her face with childlike confidence in Mrs.

Worthington's bosom, and sobbed for a moment bitterly.

Then growing calm, she lifted up her head and smiling through her tears

said: "Forgive me for this introduction. It is not often I give way, for I

know and am sure it was best and right that mother should die. I am not

rebellious now, but the sight of you brought it back so vividly. You'll

be my mother, won't you?" and kissing the fat white hands involuntarily

smoothing her bright hair, the impulsive girl nestled closer to Mrs.

Worthington, looking up into her face with a confiding affection which

won a place for her at once in Mrs. Worthington's heart.

"My darling," she said, winding her arm around her waist, "as far as I

can I will be to you a mother, and 'Lina shall be your sister. This is

'Lina, dear," and she turned to 'Lina, who, piqued at having been so

long unnoticed, was frowning gloomily.

But 'Lina never met a glance purer or more free from guile than that

which Alice gave her, and it disarmed her at once of all jealousy,

making her return the orphan's kisses with as much apparent cordiality

as they had been given. During this scene the woman of the snowy hair

and jet black eyes had stood silently by, regarding 'Lina with that same

curious expression which had so annoyed the young lady, and from which

she now intuitively shrank.