Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1878-01-17
an Original Storg.
Written for the Yorkville Enquirer.
THE HEART OF A BALLET GIRL.
CHAPTER V.

THE HEART OF A BALLET GIRL.
CHAPTERv.
"Well now, sit down and let's have talk,
said the intruder, in milder tone, releasing
Mrs. Manuel's arm as he spoke. "Give US an
account of all you've been doin' with yourself
these twelve years past. Ispose you'll tell
lot of lies; but that can't be helped" He
lit his pipe, which had gone out, and resum'
ing his place by the table, commenced to
smoke again, apparently paci6ed by the as
surance which he had just received. Mrs.
Manuel stood still, leaning against the wall
near the door, her eyes fixed with that same
piteous, appealing look, on Posy's face, while
Posy, on her part, gazed mutely at the object
of her fears.
"Do you hear? Sit down." repeated the
latter, more loudly. "You've either grown
deaf, or you amt quite as obedient as you
used to be when knew you before"
"Let the child CO." replied the woman
"and I'll talk to you; not else
"Oh ho; not else, hey? Well, that's
pretty answer, declare. Why can't she hear
what you've got to say, I'd like to know"
because what I might have to say-and
above all what you'd be likely to say
wouldn't be fit talk for her ears to hear" re-
piled the woman, firmly. She was beginning
to recover her selfpossession now, and met
the mans angry look with more assurance
than at first
"Oh she's one of your dainty sort, is she
Then I'd like to know, by -, how she ev-
er came in your keeping" he rejoined, with
brutal laugh. "Hows'ever, may be you'll be
more confidential if we have no listeners : so
you can send her to bed if you like. You've
got bed in the next room, as saw. I've
been exploring your premises, to pass away
the time, while I was waiting for you to come
home"
"Will you promise not to disturb her, II l
send her in therer' asked the woman.
"Oh promises be hanged. I don't want to
meddle with the brat" he replied. my busi-
ness is with you not her,"
"Go to bed, Posy," said her mother, turn.
ing to her, "and 60 to sleep, like good child,
if you can. I'll come to you by-and-by."
She led her into the bedroom as she spoke,
having pressed hurried kiss upon her lips,
and returned to the next apartment closing
the door of communication carefully after her.
"Now tell me what's all this mystery and
bosh," resumed her visitor, interlarding his
speech, however, with certain elegant flour
ishes, which I shall refrain from repeating
here. Suffice it to say, that his style of Ian
guage throughout was of the most protane
sort
"Where did you pick up that baggage,
anyhow What's her business here?"
"She's my adopted child" replied the wo-
man, dropping her voice as she came nearer
to him "and Oh Jim, she's my only comfort
and standby. For Gods sake if yc;s have
auy heart left in you don't you come between
me and her"
"Oh you make her work for wages to sup
port you, do your What's become of your old
trade? However" he added, with scornful
gaze, II needn't ask that, for it's pretty plain
that with your present looks you'd never pass
muster before the footlights now. Why, Stell,
you used to be good-lookin' enough in old
times-that was when first I knew you,
though. 1t was beginning to wear off before
we parted company, recollect."
"And no wonder" she passionately rejoined.
"Wasn't I beaten and starved and abused
enough to wear out any sort O looks l ever
hadl No dog could have been worser treat
ed than you treated mel"
He gave short laugh. "You have a
grudge against me for it still, I find" he said,
putting away at his pipe. "You wasn't an
angel yourself in those days, my dear, as you
may remember"
"Whatever was, or might have been, you
made me the evil creetur I've been from the
time 1 married you" was her retort. If
you'd treated me different, never would
have turned out what I did. wasn't bad
by nature, no more'n any other poor, knock
about, friendless girl might be, who hadn't
nobody to tell her what was right. You
drove me to destruction, and you know it"
"Well, we'll, let that drop. used to hear
enough o that talk in old times to last to the
end of my days, and I've no mind to listen
to any more of it now. Besides, that amt
the subject in hand. We was talkin' about
the girl, you know"
"Yes, the girl" The womans voice soft
ened again, and she cast an uneasy glance
towards the door. "Speak easy, Jim, or
she'll hear you"
"Oh! botheration. Come, then, let me
know where you found her; and mind you
tell the TRUTH
"Yes, I'll tell the truth. She was lost
child, Jim, and I picked her up. 1t was
long ago. She was little thing not more'n
two years DID,"
"A lost child, hey? Where was she lost P
"In California not far from Mariposa. |
named her Mariposa, cause the name suited
her so we'll. She was as bright and pretty as
a butterfly, and not scared Of me bit. She
cried for her mother at first, but l coaxed her
and got her pleased, and the little creetur
smiled up at me as if I was her nurse. Oh
Jim, when felt her little arms about me and
her sweet, soft face on mine, 1 felt as I'd
never done yit since my own darlin' baby
was taken. You remember him, Jim little
Charley, don't your
ayes, of course, l remember" said jim
.. h. hut ~