A Little Queen of Hearts - An International Story

he life of little Marie-Celeste, yet she was none the less a friend of children of her own age, or over it or under it for that matte

my youngest readers will excuse two such big words) that had greatly gratified her father and mother, who had a theory of their own about the education of children, and gave her rather more rein than some would consider either safe or advisable. At the same time, every movement of the little daughter was carefully watched and every project followed up by a certain paternal relative, and never more so than during those days of steamer life, when so many hours were passed with the new friend and the postman. When with Chris it was forward clear to the bow to lean over the rail and see the magnificent prow cut the water; or way to the stern, to watch the far-shining train, the screws churned into white foam behind them; or an hour 'midships, where the ever-varying amusements with which the steerage passengers beguile the weary hours can be looked down upon from the saloon deck of either first or second cabin. Then, at five every clear day, afternoon tea with the captain, for which they had a standing invitation, and by means of whi

for the daily chat, Marie-Celeste sat an entranced listener, while the wonderful story was told of beautiful little Isabel of Valois, the child-queen whom Richard of Bordeaux brought to England at the age of nine, and whose childish reign was so soon concluded. It had chanced that the book that had been brushed so summarily from Mr. Belden's hand when Marie-Celeste made his acquaintance had proved to be Dixon's "Royal Windsor;" and as soon as the terms of their friendship were unquestionably established, she made so bold as to ask many questions rega

tate-room that had remained unengaged; and Chris, noticing that a bowl of broth or some sort of nourishing food was carried thither three times a day, but that apart from this no one ever entered or left the state-room, questioned the steward, and as soon as he learned the facts, made his own way i

first acquaintance, "I wish you would tell me a little more about yourself. Mamma says you have been ill a long t

e hand through his hair as he spoke, in an app

Celeste, smiling; "curly hair like

Chris, who had really established himself as Donald's nurse, a

becoming color to the little blanched face). "Besides, Chris, he is going to tell me something about himself-aren't you, Donald? Just what y

w?" as though quite willing to be commu

er, and how you happened to be ill

ttle sigh that went straight to Marie-Celeste's heart; "I was i

ife!" exclaimed

ll a day that I know of till

you stay in

lained Chris, who, as a permitted eavesdropper, felt

ere children are cared for who haven'

a bewildered way, as though she

tay. They keep things scrubbed up to the nines, and everything's as neat and well ordered

hat she was still pondering the sad predicament of "no particular

s. They dress the girls up awful pretty in black dresses with short sleeves, and mitts that come way up over the

ing out of a book, haven't you?" ca

ste; "we gave an artist-proof of

morning, just about midway in the service, when the sun comes streaming through one of the choir windows in a great white shaft of light, I think they call it. It just goes slanting across the benches, and then the girls it happens to strike, n

n't you, Donald, that you're g

ew friends of his with his trials and perplexities. Likely as not he would be able to find some decent enough place in Liverpool, and

to tell when you've had your father and mother to help you remember things, than when you've had to do all the rem

; "but I suppose it comes along of his being alo

inning," asked Marie-Celeste, "when I was just

le body, papa says." Donald looked as though he could readily believe it, and Chris

d. And sometimes they seemed very proud of me, and sometimes, Donald, I was proud of myself, too. Mamma used to dress me in white dresses with short sleeves that came just to my elbow, tied round with pink or blue ribbons, and a sash to match, tied on one side in front, and I knew it was pretty and stylish, and used to walk around with my head in the air, and people would laugh and say I was awfully cunning. Somehow or other

do without them," said Donald a little aw

know, Jack and Louis used to say, 'Jesus, gentle Shepherd.' at bedtime every night, just as I do, and mamma says she thinks of them now,

said Donald warmly, and Chris tho

rs or sisters now?"

if I didn't try to be all the comfort I co

on't know where you live, or where you are going, or how you came to know Mr. Hartley, or what you are going to do

d as soon as he felt sure of it he bundled Marie-Celeste off in a hurry, and pinning a shawl ov

the machinery stop at two o'clock one morning, and knew that the Queenstown passengers were being transferred to the tender, and that before sunset all the people aboard the great steamer wou

d and colorless than ever. But the steamer did not mind how any of her passengers were feeling-she must make the best possible record, no matter who was glad or sorry; and on she steamed, past lonely and beautiful Holyhead, and then through the wide Irish Sea (that seems indeed a veritable ocean in its wideness), until land once more was sighted and the harbor reached, and the a