FOOTPRINTS; OR STOLEN AWAY.

Thames Star, Volume XIV, Issue 4616, 20 October 1883, Page 1

FOOTPRINTS; OR STOLEN AWAY.

[An Obighnal Stoey.]

CHAPTER IX.—(Continued). SEAHCHING. . Although the sun shone out brightly for a few hours that bright December day, the air was chill and cold, and would probably produce a keen frost when eTening came on, and how then would fare that fragile little singer? thought the' Oouutess, sorrow fully regarding the ragged garments and naked feet of the child on the pavement. Instinctively she opened her parse, and placed a bright half crown in that eager outstretched hand, and as she did bo, a thrill ran through her own frame from the rapid glance of those dark expressive eyes.

"Inez," said she as they entered the shop, "did you _notice that little .dancing' girl, what a striking face she has? " To her extreme surprise, Inez answered not a word, bat became deathly pale, trembling as though seized with sudden illness.

■••■What ails you, child?" exclaimed the Countess, "be calm. Lady Teresa will wonder at your strange appearance." But the Lady was buried amidst aheap of costly laces and rich silks, and failed to note the Budden agitation of her'young companion. v

" Mamma," whispered Inez presently, " that child looked at me with Ferdinand's eyes, and I cannot help thinking that perhaps ifc might be that Di Courcy has brought her eyen to this; we must find out who she is; I cannot rest until I \ know. Indeed, mamma, it is a yery strange coincidence." Tie Countess understood now the inex* pressible feeling that had obliged her to listen to those timid earnest tones, and the look that had thrilled through her yery being. . She became suddenly convinced that this little singer was indeed no other than, the lost child of the unfortunate Lady Codiva. She determined to mike a con* fidante of Mr Egmontine, and by his influence become more able to follow the slight clue thus obtained.

She did so; inquiries were instituted as soon as possible, and it was ascertained that a certain Pedro Di Conrcy was following the vocation of an organ grinder, and was the guardian of a little girl, whom he claimed as his own, and whose graceful skill.often augmented his day's harvest of pence. The next they heard was that Di Courcy , had died in —— hospital, and the child had disappeared; it was supposed that someone had taken charge of her on the death of Di Courcy, but her present whereabouts remained a scaled fact.

Throughout the length and breadth of England there vibrated a strong tender chord of sympathy for the suffering operatives of Lancashire, whom the distressing cotton famine had deprived of the means of sustenance for their families, and for whom this bitter winter was in-

deed a most terrible trial.

The liberality of all classes, from the noblest and wealthiest in the land /to the poorest partizan whose subscription was like the " mite " in the measure, which lacked not His blessing who loyeth a cheerful giver, was universal and unsurpassed.

Only thus could thst, time of suffering have been borne, as it was, with unparalleled patience and fortitude, by those brave, loyal, hearts, whose trust in God and confidence in their fellow countrymen never wavered or gave way throughout the whole time of their distress. , Among the most liberal subscribers to the Relief Fund, and. the most deeply sympathising for the sufferers, was Mr &gtnontine, who exerted all his' influence

to assist any benevolent scheme for their benefit. ■"■-':.

Among other matters which attracted his attention, was a benefit to be given by

a Star Company at —— Theatre, in aid of the Fund.,

The performance was to consist of a popular pantomime, in which some hundreds of children were to personate the good fairies who should scatter blessings upon the needy. But the charm of the grand transformation scene was to be the beautiful child who should personate the Wood Nymph Queen, and sing her fairy song to the enchanted "Babes in the Wood." It was a bitter night in early February, and the Lady Teresa stood at the window of-her sumptuous dwelling wrapped in her costly furs, waiting the arrival of the carriage that was to convey the party to -—-Theatre. "" Oh! Inez," she exclaimed as her companion entered the room, " how it Bnows. If it were not that Mr Egmon* tine wishes me so much to see this youthful prodigy I would scarce be tempted to leave home to-night." "Ah! "replied that gentleman, "you will not think I have spoken too warmly when you hear the beautiful Wood .Nymph sing. The public prophesy is that ' Queenie' will become the most taTented prima donna of our theatrical circles. Bat here is the carriage; come, Countess, we must not let the 'snow-flakes rest ever so lightly upon our delicate southern flower."

Thua sheltered by love and luxury, the Lady Teresa passed out, and entering her luxuriant carriage was driven through the enowy streets, where many a shivering child of poverty gazed longingly at the well lit, well warmed dwellings of their richer brethren. 'Twas said that Queenie surpassed herself that night, that never before had she sang so pathetically her simple, heartthrilling song, that never before had she appeared so beautiful in her shining robes of crystal and green, or waved her fairy wand with such peerless grace and childish simplicity, while yet an oncon*Bcious dignity lent an added charm to her every movement, as she stood in unaffected loveliness among the fairy throng. The Lady Teresa was enchanted with the scene, and the Countess gazed as with one spell bound as the sweet child voice thrilled every heart with sympathy, as standing by the crystal fountain of kindness, with tender pity depicted on every feature of her almost perfect face, upon the Babes lying asleep beneath the forest trees, and touching them lightly with her Bilver wand, sang so sweetly— And is the world so cold; Is kindness bought and sold ? Doth Nature hoard her wealth. Or feed her poor by stealth, That these lie here—and die ? Sweet babes, the harvest sheaves . The wealth of autumn leaves The berries sweet and red, On which ye gaily fed, , -■ Are Nature's gifts to thee. , Why should ye perish here, In hunger, cold and fear, While Nature's bounties free Are Cfod's own gift to, thee ? Where aro my tairies ? Why tarry they ? I've a work and a mission for each one today; I must send them abroad, I must scatter them far. Wherever the weak and the suffering are. They must carry this spell. As the child sang, the robins flew < swiftly from tree to tree, gathering leaves to strew over the sleeping Babes. Then a thousand tiny silver bells seemed to ring out their summons to the absent fairies, and the sweet voice sang againCome hither from the leafy shade Of forest tree and sylvan glade, From crystal fountainSj pnre and sweet, Where sparkling, dancing, waters meet, • Where the glow worm sheds his tiny ray, And 'wood nymphs hide till break of day. ; Then entered a long train of fairies from tlie depths of a beautiful crystal cave,, singing in one sweet, joyous, chorus—

Wo come, wo come, from the calm retreat Of the wood nymphs' fairy bowers; We come, we come, and our eager feet Are wet with the dewy crystal showers From Nature's gleaming fountains. They form a circle round their Queen, ' and wait. From an apparently boundless store sho gives to each a silver wand, and basket of gifts, which they place upon their heads, as she sings again— Go forth, go forth, ye wood nymphs all. And bear with you this token Of Nature's love to great and small, I To hearts .by sorrow broken, So scatter far the fairy spell, Let kindness in each bosom dwell; Go feed the hungry, cheer the faint, To still the widow's sad complaint ; Find for each hand a work to do, - Fill every home with pleasure true; Give richly from the plenteous store, For Naturfc'B garner runneth o'er, Nor stints her children's gladness. ■" /'Away, away;"' God speed ye, gentle fairies." . With pretty, queenly grace she stands upon her mossy throne,' while the fairy throng retire, singing as they go— With joy we hasten forth to bless The widow and the fatherless, To scatter forth the golden meed . Of charity to those who need To heal the wounds of sadness. By wealth of love to sweetly cheer The homes by poverty mado drear, And whisper hope in every ear, ' Of future joy and gladness. '

The audience cheered and applauded, /and amidst, a shower of bouquets, the * curtain fell, hiding from view the petite Queen, who bore her honors so grace--11 iaek," whispered the Countess, " how like; how like —" but the Lady Inez answered not. She sat gazing at the , footlights with such a far-away look in her ■'dark tear-dimmed eyes that the Countess knew she had no need to remind her of the past. , . The Lady Teresa was talking to her husband in quick excited tones. "Philip," she said, in the,pretty broken English that so truly betokened the impulsive temperament so easily excited by pain or pleasure, "indeed you must enquire for me who is this lovely child ? I much think she is an Italian; will you find out * if she has friends, or if she is in good— what is ttfyou English.do call it?—cir- - comstaoces ? I would like to know, to befriend, to save her from this stage life; it xnay.be that she is friendless, alone in a strange' land—pretty one. You will go for me, Philip ? " «he pleaded, laying her hand almost tenderly'upon her husband's arm, and looking ;up : into his faca with / strange wistfulness. "Did lever refuse you a favor, little one?" replied Mr Egmontine, "I go." : So saying, he left the box, and, found Ins way to the green room, which he wa» privileged to enter, having acquaintance with certain of its habitues. Peiiringa private interview wito 3He

Eonault he was quickly introduced.to the kindly manager, of whom he made en-' quiries concerning the lovely wood nymph who had so enohanted his lady wife. He learned that she was the protege and adopted'daughter, of Mr Eonault, who having rescued her from a life of poverty and hardship, had discovered her talent for the stage, and would spare no pains to cultivate the undoubted ability of his lovely little protege. Mr Egmontine spoke of the kindly intentions of the Lady Teresa, but to these the manager gave no encouragement, beyond the usual courteous acknowledgments. "It was not desirable that Queenie should contract such friendship," thought the prudent manager, "it might endanger the development of his scheme, and perchance weaken his influence, or,detract from the fascinations of the stage, the glamour of which he had so successfully cast over the mind and heart of his young charge." Yet when the merchant begged him so far to humor the whim of his lady wife, as to bring the child to the villa for a short visit on the following day, he- could not ..well refuse, but pleading special engage' ments, declined the invitation to luncheon that Mr Egmontine, so eager to please his young wife, urged with renewed fervour.