The States and Union. [volume] (Ashland, Ohio) 1868-1872, 1868-07-08
ntcrtainmept would Iroceed-''

entertainment would Iroceed-''
! We did not hear the rest. We both
rose so, too, had half the people in tn,
theatre /; the aisles were thronged, and
our egrcss was delayed As we waitec
outside moment while the carriage
drew up, we heard everybody talking
aboHt the wonderful denseuse
Mademoiselle had already driver
away, and was lost to the public, it was
said.
Carl did not speak during our drive
1 too, was silent The evanescent
CLEANS from the street lamps showed
his countenance pale, calm al. its phases
l could not read it now. 7-'ss~s~
When we reached the hotel, we went
quickly 10 our own parIor. There was
sound Of movement in Miss Aubus-
sons apartments. b. Pre- entity, Norine
came out, battered along the corridor,
was absent moment, aid came pat
tering lack again.
Shall go to her, Carl ? IF she is i'll
l may help her,"
He gave me a quick, grateful look.
"Thank you Go to her, Nelly
Beg her to make use of me and if she
is better, ask when she will see u.s.
intercepted Norine in the entry,
expressed my sympathy. and offered
my service. Then I waited for the an
swer. 1t came quickly.
"Mees was quite recovered, and
would see US presently"
1 went back and gave my message
| - Ha,l H. efoonad end onlu fc kics
me, but caught the fash of tears in
his eyes.
"You won't forget me, then 7 you
won't turn ne out of your heart for any
newcomer 2" I said, sel6shly; for in
deed it was hard to lose him.
''God bless you, Nelly! Never I! But
to think what life she must have
had 70
81 know, Carlr,
We walked up and down the room
together. Our intimacy was Of that
rarest kind that does not need many
words to express it. We had said
scarcely anything more when Norine
came to call US.
Miss Aubusson was sitting at the
further side of the large room. She
rose to receive us rose, but did not
take a step forward. There was a
troubled, doubtful look in her eyes
in her face sweet, innocent pride that
had yet touching pathos. One un-
justly doomed might have loyked SO
For she believed sentence had been
already passed She did not even hold
out her hand.
But when 1 kissed her, Carl led her
gently to an easy char, a soft flush
kindled her cheeks.
"You are very good to ne" she sa d
! tremulo1sly. 81 did not think you
could be SO goed:"
] I sat down on a has sock near by
Carl stood little way off looking at
her Her eyes searched his face eager
ly; they could not have read anything
there ominous or Eofql she could not
fear to trust to him. -, 7a-
But suddenly her eyes fell, and the
hot bushes rose fast. ''You viii have
4 guessed my story" she said. "You
Eavc seen my father: 1 had to earn
money for us both. tried very hard
yet every day we got poorer and poor
er-so very poor at the last. And
| then l found could dance-presentlJ
[ grew almost rich. / wanted to know
what men and women are who are re.
fined and good, and so, with poor Nor
inc to help me, I orept up into the
society that would have spurned Inc,
knowing what was. 1t was my little
time of happiness, my life had been very
hard. But, oh, l never meant you
should see me!' she cried, her calm
ness fors aking her. a-
Her head dropped, she covered her
face with her hands There was much
pitiful humiliation in, her attitude
the burden of sorrow and shame lay sc
heavy upon her. She wept passiona-
tely.
Carl bent forward; dew her hand:
4 away.
"You will not tell them? 2" she sob
bed, shrinking from him, "You will
net tell thocs people who know me
have done no harm was not asbam-
ed to be among them Il have KEEP
myself .pnsoiled by any evil" 80
"My darling, dancing may be as holy
as praying: God knows ALL, And He
has sent you to me-" said Carl.
He took her in his arms, wondering
incredulous of her great happiness.
1 slipped away softly, closing the
door upon them, shutting myself, ou
into the loneliness, and went back tc
the parlor that had been the home o.
Carl and ne-never quite the same te
me any more.