Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1870-12-24

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20 me; and, considering that her real nam was
gEkhowr 10 me. do rot know ttat / spu'tI
have made more appropriate ehoi -. wheth, r
sunrise was pretty or not, could not tell: s!i,
always sat with her back to nv ~ini,w am
glrctncd IN large su 1-bonnet 10 IN At her fac
was not familiar TO me. bat 1 knew she aaEi
ders
Twas confined TO the house for nearly a week
Win my ankle; and during this time when
was not writing, amused myself with watch
ing my neishbors. Sometimes WAS almost in
enned TO relent in my sweeping assertion that
All omen were heartless, and make an excep-
usn IN favor OF Sunrise; but then this thought
would cross my mind that she was out Of the
weird, and therefore free from temptation.
Day after day she woald be seated NJ her easel;
but sometimes, whea her window and mine
were both open, could hear ths gentleman's
voice reading to her, and occasionally distin-
guished hers, making comments, I suppose
Certainly This individual must be a happy man
10 be 80 waited upon and cared for? Surprising
we're i'll. who would DO the same for me? and
vas forced TO own with humililtion-nobody
iugured, from Sunrise's dress and from
tteir mode of life, that they we're poor, and vet
there was that in her manner and bearing
which showed that they were gentle folks. In
Sunrlses face, too, there were lines OF thought
or rather. ] should say, there was a sober
gravity. which told of battles fought and won.
Ny neighbOrs had been in more than a MONTH
and knew no more about them than on their
arrival was putting together my manuscripts
one day when heard steps on the gravel path
and then voice saying: Lady, do buy-this
nice heHotrope for eightpence, or lovely rose
tree, Tor nlnepeGce. Lady, do buy.
listened. and another voice replied. Not
To- day, thank you. good woman"
went nearer to the window, that might see
IN the next garden with a basket of plants on
the open window.
e Indeed don't want any to-day" she said
" shail be ruined if buy so many plants"
. Sure, and kind act never ruined a lady
vet, said the woman. - It'll he a real kind
ness II YOU buy one: Do, my lady, do buy
plants as she shook her head.
. Indeed can't afford IT," she said.
- But, lady" persisted the woman; /" I'm
home to my children"
could not hear what followed. but presently
Sunrise came TO the door, then the woman set
down her basket on the gravel path and went
into the house. I waited till she came ont
again, which was perhaps a quarter of an hour;
when she had hoisted her basket on her head
her. walked beyond her for some distance
till we were quite out Of sight of any houses'
and then came up to her.
MY good woman" said L, - i want one of
vosr plants; what price are they?v
She took the basket and put II on the ground
" Here's rosebrush for ninepenee, a geran-
iourpe nee; and that shilling" she said indi-
eating each.
marked.
4" Bur two this day, !" she replied.
You must be fadgued with carrying this
heavy basket in the hest,' 1 SAID.
,s SURF. and ms wen nigh ready to drop an"
lage, don't how I'D be gettin: alons.'
Indeed said |; "aad what did she do for
:. Took me inside her house and mads m. res.
awhile said the woman; gave me a good
meal. looked me out some clothes, and spoke
words as did my heart good to hear"
do she not buy your plsnts?" l asked.
- No. she REPLIED. ssShed mot the ynausv
TO throw away on EN-, much as she wanted to
have 'em; she told me she was poor, and what
money she got she wanted for the sick gentle
Her husband 1 suppose?, 1 said.
Well. twas her husband or her father. |
expect, was the reply; but which OF my plants
will you be pleased to buy?''
selected one, and giving her the sum she
asked, got boy TO carry it home, and followed
bin. ponde1iDs about Sunrise and her history.
Two or three days after this, lane opened my
uraWlng-ToQm door, saying, Z" The lady from
neat door. If you please, sir
As may be imagined was immensely sur
pfised what did she want? and why did she
come 10 me?
lPut aside my pen, and rose to place her
chair; Tor moment she looked embarrassed,
but quickly recovering her self-pOstession she
bowed and half-smiied As she said pardon
my tntrusion' am come TO ask of you a favor"
" FRAY. be seated, madam said /; "what
can have the pleasure of doing for you?''
She glanced at the chair had placed for her
but remained standing.
al am painting lower piece, she replied;
ana unfortunately, by an accident, the flower
Wa copying has been destroyed; I am come
20 ash II YOU viii be 80 kind Is to lend me tha
plant yon have in your window, which Is like it.
tor coming to YOU"
&c No apology is necessary said; am
happy to be able to 10 anything for you; pray
keep the Plant. and do aS you will with it,"
- Thank yOU- YOU are very kind" she said,
put not KINDER than / thought you would be-"
she added while a CLEAN shot into her eyes
~ Nv al "a afrLr a
dld she smile al me a. il We were Old acquain-
tarces?
II would not have come to you" she contin-
ued, ' If could have procured elsewhere a
flower which would have ans Sered nv purpose:
but am obliged TO finish my painting by a
certain day, aud my time is short"
Exhibition remarked.
-" Yes, aud must send the picture to London
IN fOrtni ght," she replied. IS I An very much
oomged 70 you for your kindness, and James
May ask to whom Am indebted for this
visit?' inquired.
:. MY name is Pro'ssr = she replied, smilingly.
She bowed and moved towards the door, but
came back astep and held out her hand.
Thank you 60 much" she said. g Good
took the plant and accompanied her to her
Owl door, then / came back to lock up my desk
ana 60 10Y ramele During my walk l was
thinking of my visiter; no one could call her
beautiiul: She had a young. pleasant face,
with bright soft ewes. and a gentle voice. Was
she ain. and shallow, and heartless?
Who was James? Was he her husband2
&c tainly he was not her father. She must be
clever girl to paint for exhibitions; something
dlr ere nj from the or iinary OF girls for she
must have some ideas beyond shoH and dress
and admiration.
itpleased me when returned from nv walk
70 rec my plant on the table before Sunrise.
a. 10 know that her eyes were stIdying IT. snl
TIA James was gazing on il and her, probably
win APPRECIATION, for ! could see his slippered
feet upon tie sofa / knew now that his name
Was James PTosseT. And what was hers? Was
sic his vile or sister? She was still Sunrise to
me.
hy holiday drew TO an end. | left Marley
and the PTOsseTs and went back TO INV ledyers
and city Ife, and almost forgot them in Iny
every day business.
CHAPTER III.
i was sitting before glorious fire after the
fatigues Of the day. had Just finished reading
ny last article in print, ard the tea was brew
ing. IL wanted ten DAYS to Christmas / re-
msmbered the time when Christmas had been
very happy TO me. but that was long ago when
wss boy now lad no relatives TO be happy
WIN, Tor my sister always went down to spend
that cay with her husbands family. 4 was
alone Ia the world; and saying that Christmas
Gay told its own story TO me. every year with
iFeeh hope and beauty, il made no difference to