The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1859-08-26
BY JERE. CROWLEY.

that IS I've heard papa say so. She Is
living now, believe, but dear me they're
dreadful common sort of people"
"They!" queried Robert Southey.
II mean my aunt and cousin. They
are in reduced circumstances, and | un-
derstand Annie has got so far down that
she takes work at the shops. You smile,
and suppose you think l ought to know
more about them, but assure you it is
not my fault Ever since they would not
consent to make it their home here, papa
has forbidden me to have anything to do
with them"
"But why is it they did not stays" ask
ed Robert.
40 they had some foolish notions of in
dependenee-saidt they would not live on
the bounty of those who had robbed them,
and many other impertinent things. |
wonder papa was SO patient with them!
Pm sure he couldn't help it if it was their
home once, YOU know, if her brother will
ed it to him."
$50, So" said Robert Southey. And
his fine eyes roved again to the portrait
The noble face seemed lighted up with a
trusting smile as he gazed, and yet it was
but a child's face-a child of only seven
years.
"How old is this cousin by this time!'
he asked, carelessly.
"Oh, about my age. assure you she's
very plain looking girl. The painter
dealized that face"
Eueenie Bartlett was both vain and
heartless, and had not even wit enough to
conceal either defect. She had tancied
that she had loved more than once, but
never till the poet face of Robert Southey
met her vision, had she in reality known
the true meaning of the much abused
word. She fancied that her beauty was
irresistable-it was to some men but not
to him. He liked to call there because be
often met Mr.. Bartlett, who was liberal
patron of the arts, a good scholar and in
teresting conversationist, but for the hand
some daughter he had nothing more than
mere friendship-scarcely that.
She, however, fancied that he was in
terested in her-that he was desperately
enamored of her chains, and did not
dream that he sought for heart, not beauty
for mind, not wealth.
"How long did they occupy here9" ask
ed Robert Southey.
"Oh, till she was seven-in fact, that
picture was taken the year my uncle died.
There was a great time about the will, and
when she found it was really in favor of
nv father, the widow left the house and
went out West, where she had resided till
within few years When they came back
again, father offered them home, but
they refused. To tell the truth, | was not
sorry for she was gawky. How could it
be otherwise? No boarding school privil-
eyes. suppose her mother has been her
! teacher, but dear me, she can't know much
Robert Southey glanced at the speaker
with look she could not have relished,
had she noticed it. Fortunately her eyes
were cast down.
"Do let us change the subject" said
Eugenie, with little start of impatience-
"what did you think of Guardaline last
night? Wasn't he superb9 l positively
adored him-for the time, mean"
Robert Southey seemed q lite Indifferent
whether she adored him for the time, or
for all the time, and replied to her arch
look with quiet, almost contemptuous
smile.
"The Barber of Seville" is I think,
the most charming of operas" continued
Eugenie, "don't you!'
"On the contrary, dislike it the most,
replied Robert Southey.
"Oh, is it possiblel Why, everybody
goes in raptures over it." replied Eugene.
81 don't agree with everybody then, v
be said quietly. 81 have but little sympa.
thy with everybody"
She looked as if she did not know how
to take this declaration, and it annoyed her
to see his eyes again wandering to the por-
trait
"Tll take it down and burn it," she an
grily calculated to herself
After few more common places, Rob
ert Southey took bis leave
He walked about until it was quite twi-
light, and then remembering an errand in
another part of the city retraced his steps.
Was it his guardian angel that prompted
him!
He had nearly reached the place to
ward which his steps were bent, when he
felt light touch on his arm. He looked
down. There was the face of the portrait
only more nature-much sweeter in ex.
preston. His heart beat as it had never
beat before.
May | ask your protection2" said a
sweet voice" some one has followed me
and spoken to me more than once, and
=" the lips tremble, and the eloquent eyes
swan in tears.
Certainly, will protect you," said
Robert, drawing his hand within his arm
=" and as to that scoundrel over there, |
know him, he should be chastised as he de
serves. lie will be before long if he is not
careful"
The man met his eye and skulked along
back street. It was Moseley the keeper
of the slop-shop.
Il should not have been out at such an
hour, but my mother needed medicine
she SAID as they walked along. The fair
girl tIembled excessively.
They moved rapidly away, till they came
to the miserable bnilding where lived An.
me and her mother. Annie's cheek burn
ed as the young man assembled the stairs
aud opened the door for her. There was
loud aud disagreeable sounds up stairs the