The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1875-05-08

/ generous One-she even learned to think
/ forgivingly Of George, and the blue eyed
girl sh, had SO loved and cherished
And the bloom of her first youth
passed away. and she settled peacefully
down into a soft-voiced tender-ey eyed old
maid for Gertrude's was not one of those
facile natures which can graft new love
on TO an old disappointment, and be happy,
I after all has come and gone
1t was towards the close Of lowering
day IN December that Miss Fishers car
rage, closely shu,, and cushioned with
velvet, drew up in front Of one Of those
fashion emporiums where ladies delight IA
congregdting Madame D'Aubri her
self came forward to greet the rich heir
ess.
is NY dress finished, madame 2 inquired
Gertrude
Madame would inquire. Would Miss
turned III a lit of French gesticulating
DIES iiaIr.
IT was through no fault of hers, but
Miss Bliss, the forewoman, had allowed
the seamstress to take it home to finish, as
she had sick husband whom she could
not leave, and they were starving dbSo-
iatt,AeHt starving, cried Madame ID Aubri,
with a futtering motion Of her tiexlie I'm
gers But i should be sent for immed-
lately, the robe OF so,s g,jS, and 1t was the
last the very last time that a dress should
ever be allowed to 90 out of the establish
ment.
Never mind, madame, said Miss Fisher,
good humouredly it really Is matter Of
no great moment. Fortunately, | have
other dresses, So you need not hurry.
And she re-entered her carriage, fol-
lowed by Madame, apologising all the
way.
Gertrude had nearly reached her home
when she pulled the check string, and told
the driver 10 90 back to Madame D'Au-
bri's
Il suppose it is foolish, she thought
"Ithin herself but | cant help thinking
Of that poor Seamstress with her SICK hus-
band
Madame ID Aubri was astonished by the
second appearance of Miss Fisher.
The address | will obtain it Of Miss
Bliss. she said II you will kindly
wait.
Presently she came back, rustling behind
the counter, with bit Of paper. which she
gave to Miss Fisher with light curtsey.
Gertrude glanced at IT,
A bad nelghborhood, | should Judge.
she remarked casually.
oh, opprobrious indeed assented
Madame, who was a little uncertain III the
usc Of English adjectives.
Gertrude gave the paper to her coach
man with directions t. him to proceed III
rectIy thither
1t was nearly dark when she reached
the number IndIcated-a melancholy
looking house, in a miserable neighhor-
hood
Fourth floor; back room, said an old
woman III the ground floor and gathering
her silken skirts around her. Miss Fisher
mounted the steep stairs, where, TO Judge
from appearances, brooms and soap suds
were alike ignored
she knocked softly at the door Of the
room indicated. A hollow-eyed little child,
scautily dressed, opened it lust far enough
70 peep through. Gertrude could see the
murky gnnmer Of a lamp on the table,
and the slllen glow Of an insufficient fire
IN a miserable CRATE. The room was small
and exceedingly close. and bore the aspect
ot tie wretchedest poverty.
i have come here in search OF a seam
stress who works for Madame Celeste
D'Aubrl, said Gertrude.
Mamma 4 said the little child, doubt
fully but she opened the door a fraction
wider, and Gertrude entered
woman was sewing on the identical
foL. ~ so,e griS. with intent eyes and flying
fingers A man lay stretched motlonless
mn ueah h.aH sh.4.ar n .
face.
'Nou are il trouble, said Gertrude, gen
tiy, trying To accustum her eyes to the dim,
uncertain light
The woman made a fretful motion Of her
elbow, but never looked up.
Don't disturb me +. she said petulantly.
4 am free at last but | can't bury him
until I've done this work and get the
money.
'CeciIe Cecile Moore
The woman looked up at length, push
ing back the haxen hair that hung in wild
disorder over her eyes.
Who is it that knows me by my old
name 2 she demanded.
i am your cousin Gertrude replied hel
kind visitor.
There was something in her voice and
manner that made Ceclle drop her work,
and rise hurrledly to her feet. The next mo
ment she was sobbIng convulslvely in Ger
truGes gentle arms.
oh, Gertrude she walled, | wronget
you cruelty, but | was cruelty punished
/ Ii you but knew how miserable, how pov
erty-stricken | have been And he, Will
shudder-' beat me, and drank, anC
gambled, and squandered my wretcheC
/ earnings But he is dead now; thanl
heaven, he Is deal
When did he die : asked Gertrude
inexpressibly shocked. Half an hou
ago.
Gertrude went to the side Of the couch
and looked at the face of her dead lover
the man she had SO worshipped years anc
/ years ago. 1t was old and haggard now
with sunken features and strange set line
round the mouth and GROW. And as sh'
stood shudderlng there, the last spark o
the love she had cherished for 50 man.
years died out for ever She had tor
| yiven him once-now she forgave his Mem
| ory.
'Cecile she said, turning to her cousin
alas how worn and wretched she was
with not relic of her Old beauty remain
ing-'you must come home with me yol
and your child.
With you, Gertrude Z exclaimed Cecile
| in amaZement.
With me. Nay. don't shrink away
have forgiven you.
And she bent to press a kiss upon th
brow that had been so waxen fair once
while the little one, taught by child
unerring instinct, clung close to he
skirst
Oh, Gertrude sobbed CeciIe,
think you must he like the angels il
heaven.
In all the pain and bitterness Of her frs
bereavement, Gertrude Fisher had neve
wished for revenge, but she had it now, ful
and complete.