The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1868-06-13

Dux WH36 snail toIi ucff Cu8 W1ks &U@ -
that we are out svery might until very lats.
Dear sister, tell her the truth. You kno8
she has always taught us never to deceive
her, that Il would Be very wicked.'
"But she 10 10 III, Eugene, it would worry
her 30 mach 10 know was exposed to the
influences Of q theatre. shall not be thots
very long. As soon a. learn to eperats
in the telegraph department, and there 10 70,
cancy, win have o situation, but 1t may
take me from home all the time. Eugene w
must make mamma think that the telegraph
messages detain me. They will, when gei
situation there. feel very sorry to hayf
you do this, Gene, but remember how
wretchedly poor we are, how sick mamma h
and do this for her sake. God will forgive
us, when it is only dong evil that good may
come"
BY this time they had reached the misers-
bic dwelling, in one room Of which they
lived. 1t was growing late and chill; the
gas-hghts IN many Of the stores CLEANED
forth on the muddy sidewalks, and made .
mocking radiance in the standing pools ef
water, which the late rains had left. lztw
saloons, with their accustomed sounds, flisd
the interstics between shop and dwsllikg,
while fantastic forms fitted around cornef8.
and disappeared in murky alleys.
"Oh," said Gabrielle, with q shivsr Of
mingled fear and delight, Show glad shall
be to leave the miserable place. You shall
60 to school,, Eugene, and become q great
man. shall dance my name to fame and
fortune, mamma will get well, and We shall
all be happy again"
She opened the door as she spoke, and as
cended flight Of long narrow stairs the
house was not dirty, bat very bare and de-
lapidated. Gabrielle passed through The
narrow entry with haste, hJrn of supersh-
ton, and after tapping gently at door, pro-
duced latch-key and opened il, revealing =
room comfortably, nay, air Elegantly fur
nished in striking CONTRA the outside
discomfort.
On bed, in the centre Of this room, lay .
pale, eInaciated, hollow-eyed woman, VINO
lifted herself eagerly on one elbow and asked
in sepulchral voice, "Any Messagey"
s'No mamma none at all. But you pro-
missed not to expect any this month";"
81 expect one all the time. Every minute
night aud day. Ii 10 all that keeps me alive
| must hear from him before long. | hsss
waited so many years now"
ave will have tea now, ma -a, lu4 .iFr
| must 60 back and stay una. ...y lste.
But you must not mind. Eugene will stay
with you, and read aloud or wait on you."
Sand you will bring q messager He said
he would telegraph, and he never falled 20
keep his word only do be careful, Gabnelle,
do not let any young men come home with
you. Eugene must 60 for you"
Ii was plainly evident that on one subject
the poor woman's mind was gone; years ago
her husband had left her for q brief journey.
telling her h. would telegraph Immediately
on his safe srriyal. From that day to this,
ST. ) had ne ger seen or heard Of him, and low
ing him as sac did with all the devoted atfsc-
ton of a woman's heart, the blow was ter
rible one. Nothing had ever reused her; the
| welfare of her children was yet dear to her,
but beyond advising them she did nothing
for them. The little property they had, was
wasteC while Gabrielle was yet a child.
They had lived after one fashion and another
until now, when starvation stared them in
the face, aud they were saved by Gsbrielle's
engagement with the manager. In keeping
this from her mother, Gabrielle erred the
knowledge Of the perils 70 which her daug hter
\ would now be subjected, would shsss yssassSA
her to some definite plan Of action, ana heal
ed the diseased brain by the panacea Of
wholesome work.
sisting of dry bread and tea for herself and
| Eugene, and canned fruit and beefsteak for
her mother, she drew the little stand to the
bedside, and they there partook Of the meal,
the young brother and sister talking gaiiy Of
the future, and the mother silent, wrapped
in visions Of the happy past, and unaware
that her children were making sacrifices for
her. After the little supper was eaten, the
dishes washed and replaced in the closet, and
tn. carpet neatly swept, Gabrielle prepared
TO 90 to the theatre. She was not TO make
her oebut on this evening, but 1t was neces-
sary for her to be there. And she was in
haste to 20 when there came low knock at
the door, which Eugene Immediately opened
to admit the doctor.
No pompous, middle-aged professional ,
but young and 1ery handsome man, with .
fine form, well developed limbs, and pale,
arIstocratic face, with magnificent hair and
whiskers, soft, black eyes, OF . pensive, win
ming type, and yet controlling your thoughts
by their power, and mouth Of rare sweet
ness. A handsome face, decidedly and YET
not an honest one.
He shook hands with Gabrielle, holding
the small white hand in lis until she lifted
her eyes to his face and blushed, then hs
dropped 1t gravely and turned to the mother
II trust | find you better, tonight, Mrs
Webster" he said, gently ''your pulse Il
favorable"
"There is no message" said the iayalit
wearily, mot word"
"You must not expect one until mex
month then you will be stroager, ,r-'sans
cease to expect one,'' be added, sotto pocs.
"I found some very nice GuAva Jelly TO-
day, Mrs. Webster" pursued the doctor, lay
ing down his gold-headed cane, to produce
package IRON his coas pocket "Do me tb
favor to accept some. II is both appetiziDl
and nourishing."
, The invalid thanked him, and be LAID th
boxes on the table, and then turned towar'
Gabrielle who was ready to 60 out.
"You are looking well tonight, Miss Ga
| brielle," be said in that tone he knew how q
use to women. II thought on my last visi
| should have two invalids instead OF one. !"
Work agrees with me" said Gabrielle
} blushing guilty at the deception.
, "You must not work too hard" ne sail
gravely. IL shall not permit Il.
, II was very sweet to be spoken to IN thu
! manner. Gabrielle's heart gave greAs oOun'
of delight Doctor Gilbert was 90 very ia
above her, she thought, yet so kind and con
descending; should she make him her frien'
and tell him | No; she dared not. He mus
) dsapprove, perhaps, be angry with her
: mot now at least" she soliloquised. "PeE
0 haps, if am very successful might tell hiu
/ without being ashamed Of it"
! He took her hand again ut parting, nm
looking into her beautiful flushed face, aD
I saw the quivering Of her red lips; be kne'
; the power he had over her, and intended
/ use it but not now. Only strohg impula
: came over him, to gather that innocent, con
r fiding girl to his breast, and imprins the tir.
! kiss on her dewy lips but be dared not thes
! and keeping up his assumed character be d,
I parted.
/ Assumed ] aye with the gold-hsaded can
|. and professional name, FOR but L
! another chapter tell.