The Morning herald., 1876-10-31
FAITHFUL AND FAITHLESS.

lhey uVeO up among tne SWALLOWS, IN
the attic Of second-rate boarding house,
those two sisters. Madeline wrote stories,
painted photographs and sewed, doing
whatever else came within the way Of her
deft fingers. Cecile was nursery govern
ness.
Tonight the weary lessons were finished
the villain in the last story disposed of by
dose OF prussic acid, and the pretty toll
ers, lonely orphans though they were, BAT
enjoying the simple comforts of their poor
little roSkery.
1t was Madeline whose voice interrupted
the musical performance of the tea-kettle.
"It is rather strange, is it not, Cecile,
that have never seen him?" she said,
thoughtfully.
Cecile looked quickly, with startled
blush. But she required no explanation,
perhaps because her own thoughts had been
treading the same path.
"You will see him tomorrow, Madeline.
He is coming particularly to see you. |
wanted to ask him not to do so, but it would
have been no use--he must come some
time. Every thing here is $3.50 differ
Sut AlOu1 WltG llC 1lhVos
Madeline laughed soft, satisfied laugh,
as her sisters head dropped, that was sweet
and pretty.
at is like fairy story" she said. ITO
that you are going to marry somebody as
rich as prince, and live in one Of those
wonderful houses. Oh, Cecile! are you
going to forget me quite? expect some
day your carriage will go whirling past and
splatter the mud over poor old beggar
woman at the corner selling peanuts. That
will be me, you understand. Yes, it'squlte
like a story. shall write it, l believe, and
call it "The New Cinderella" Only if |
do" she added, with reflective disgust,
"Philip Abinger will have to be turned
into duke in disguise, half-killed in
duel, and you will be made a rope-dancer
who fed him back 10 life, just to make
1t picturesque"
Cecile laughed in her turn.
Madeline, "she said, admiringly watch
ing her, YOU certainly have the LOWEST
eyes in the world; but I am afraid OF
them. When l have my carriage, dear,
you shall certainly sit beside me; and We
will make Philip take the front seat, to
hold the parcels, when we 60 shopping"
The next day was day of importance in
the eyes of these two. Fortunately, it was
holiday, ,and Cecile could remain at home,
and Madeline, with many remorseful but
stihed sign, as she thought of the untouch-
ed quires Of blank Bath post lying in her
desk, gave herself up to unwonled idleness,
and to the discussion OF Philip Abinger's
visit. He was not to come until evening,
1t Is true, but there was much to be done.
After many consultations as to propriety
and the commendable conclusion tlat there
could be not much incorrect where nothing
was wrong, it had been decided to receive
their guest in their own room, rather than
In the stutty boarding house parlor, filled
with gossiping boarders.
The pretty plants in the window were
disposed over and over again; they went to
the exp pense of the investment in new rib
bons to tie back the muslin curtains, End
the few engravings-leminiscences OF other
days-were hung and rehung. 1t was
finished at last, and the sisters contem-
plated the effect Of their labors with entire
satisfaction.
Philip Arbinger sauntered down the
street with somewhat the sensations OF
man who walks in dreamland. He regard
ed himself with vague astonishment as
ne left the stately precincts of the avenue
palaces, wandering on through the va
rious and SO perceptible shades Of respect
ability, till he reached block OF brick
buildings that bore thesignalment Of board
ing houses in every square inch, from the
grlny upper windows to the unwashed
steps and Uttered areas. ,
lie pauaed moment before he touched
the bell. She lived here, and plodded a
weary daily round, teaching his younger
sisters their letters for her bread Ana
then a generous emotion glowed in his