A Fair Mystery: The Story of a CoquetteBrame, Charlotte M.
General
A Fair Mystery: The Story of a Coquette
Brame, Charlotte M.
Fiction
Patty unpinned the tartan shawl, and snugly wrapped within lay a little
babe; a delicate veil covered the small face within the lace and satin
cap, and Patty lifted in motherly hands one of the most singularly
lovely infants that sun had ever looked upon. Dimpled, snow-white, with
exquisitely molded features, and neck and hands; soft rings of golden,
silken hair, a faint perfume of costly odors breathing from its
garments.
Patty's tender heart melted at the divine innocence, loveliness,
helplessness of the little one, and raising the rosebud face to her own,
she kissed it softly again and again.
This motion caused the white cashmere cloak to fall back, and Mark gave
a cry at some dark thing broadly pinned against the quilted satin
lining.
As his wife kissed the babe, murmuring: "Little, lovely angel! Who sent
you? Who could abandon you?" Mark unpinned this object and held it near
the light. Then he gave such a cry that his wife, clasping the babe
closer, turned to him in alarm. In his shaking hand he held a packet of
bank-notes. He cried out:
"Patty! Patty! Did God send this? See! Just the amount of my debt!
Patty! Patty! am I safe? Is this ours?"
"How much is there?" she demanded, breathlessly.
"Twenty fives! A hundred pounds!"
"Mark, just what we owe?"
"Just that. Oh, Patty, we are saved!"
He staggered to a seat, white and weak, and then, first, Patty realized
what his anguish of soul had been. The strong young farmer shook like a
reed; drops of perspiration rolled over his face.
"But is it ours?" demanded Patty, sitting down also, and beginning to
unfasten the baby's cap and cloak.
"See if there is anything more--any message--any word--quick--oh, Patty,
Patty. I am weak!"
Patty rose up, stroked his cheek, kissed him, said: "Courage, Mark!
Heaven has helped us!" and then she set to searching the child.
On the lace bosom of the little dress was sewed a letter. She unfastened
it and held it to her husband.
"You read it, Mark. I am so frightened, my eyes are dim. See, it is to
us; it says on the outside--'TO MARK AND PATTY BRACE.'"
Mark restrained himself, and as Patty softly rocked the child to and fro
on her breast, he read aloud:
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account