Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1879-05-24
Iens and papers and stamps-particularly
stamps. She's engaged in the stamp DEPART

lens and papers and stamps-particularly
stamps; shes engaged in the stamp depart
Daisy said not word, but looked SO glad
an6 Si raaant poor Child had no further heart
that had no idea they had ladies at the office'
Tom had never mentioned it.
LauleS; 600 olesS you, Prue, they're every
steTed bY f fee M :, WIN be admin
quite right, too. Now, don't you worry about
Daisy; III take care of her."
But old worry, nevertheless. To have Daisy
nervous and uncomfortable. In vain they as
sured me the work was light and easy and pro-
ntaDle; In vain Daisy pointed out to me the
a auna OF being able to stay at home with
aunIy, who was growing Old and incapable or
domestic duties; in vain Tom counted, out OF
the mock bank book, the crisp notes for the
rent; In vain Daisy bought for me the pretty
United engraving had so long coveted; that a
bright carpet covered the old parlor floor, and
Lite graceful knickknacks made their way Into
Tie empty old corners. and aunty rejoiced In a
1ngly to her poor shrinking form. In van-in
vain: Twas miserable, most miserable. Rather
lhe humble security and safety-far rather,
y DAYS w were passed In tormenting, doubtful
creams, SO that l started up in bed and was
never satisfied until had gone to look at Daisy.
al bending over the Child, was only content
co cheek upon her arm
] never could get to sleep till Tom and Daisy
were home, and every thing settled for the
nj; MT; and used to lie awake listening for the
ri mble Of the cab wheels; for it seemed their
VI TIED efforts could now afford cab. Daisy
aiways came straight to me, and kissed me
M de ne more and more wretched as the bril-
liant, beautiful creature bent over me with all
al more OF her old tenderness. On one Of
81 e had gone, and finally went wandering, as
Us ual, to Daisy'S bedside. She Slumbered
es silly: like little child, with her hand buried
H. the fluffy waves of her hair, and gazing thus,
TANGLED saw deep red bar OF crimson upon
htr cheek, and scarcely knowing what was
al out, held the lamp still closer, and taking
Il fine cambria fril1 of her night-gown, I
tie bitterness Of having damning doubt con-
frmed!-ah! yes, the color came Off. The Child s
ci eek had been painted. 1t was mercy to God
dropped there myself shortly after, and
Kew no more until the morning re-
member the cold gray light Of day steal
again into an exhausted sleep till noon.
heard Daisy's soft football at the door. and
closed my eyes, for couldn't bear to look upon
her; she ; went softly away again. only to come
footstep heard was Toms. Coming on tiptoe
IN my room, which made his boots squeak all
the more, he found my eyes wide open and
for / suppose he saw something wild and
strained about them.
why, my dear Old Prudy-" he began.
But drew him closer to me, and whispered,
won't have it. Do you understand? Pray God
1t may not be too late to save the child now."
His face took a serious expression, and he
he said, ''don't, for Heavens sake, get any nom
sense OF that kind into your head. She couldn't
crop out now, you know; the very devil would
'Yes, you have said it," replied, bitterly; ssit
Is the devil who reaps the profit. God help me!
what am to do?" And seeing Daisy trembling
in the doorway, held out my arms to her; her
bling, upon my breast.
hated to hurt the child hated to shock
Tom, but some thing must be done at once to
word to begin with, Tom said that some Old
women had been meddling, he supposed.
on, Tom, was the witness to my own
misery" And then, keeping Dalsy's face hid
den near my heart, 1 told them OF all my fears
for Da1sy's increasing vanity, my awful doubts
about the glitter OF her beauty, and at last
TIE discovery OF the dreadful stain upon her
expected to see Tom fall back aghast.
thought that Daisy would sob the more and hide
her face the closer. To my surprise, Tom blew
long, low whistle, and Daisy raised her head
There's no use talking, Tom; won't go on
with 1t II 1t makes Prue feel so badly
couldn't, Tom, II l made thousand dollars a
night" This was what Daisy said, and began
stfoking my hair and fondling me again as If
were the diseased and pitlable one. thought
should go mad with bew1lderment, when Tom
"NoW, see here, girls he said, "no more
melancholy pumping, please; there's misery
enough in the world, without going out OF ones
way TO find 1t. The best way to convince Prue
that everything is right, Is to let her see for
tonight"
"To the-the-" faltered Daisy.
"TO the insurance Office" said Tom. "She
N % In md 0fnh JnA
and If, taking into consideration the fact that
we must earn an honest living In some way,
she finds this one altogether Objectionable,
it bargain. suspend further agony Til to- to-
night, and in the mean while I'll go out and
look at my culinary venture"
Ee went out, and heard him whistle as he
went 1t was very bewilder1ng that he Should
take so grave matter In that way.
is this the little girl. Daisy said, solemn
~, "that has lain so many years at my heart
my pure, innocent little sister,"
cried. I'm great deal better and happier
the rest"
to the pillow. 1 was only too glad to take a
br:ef and troubled respite. And shortly AFTER I
arose and dressed, and toward evening Mrs.
Balbriegan called to tell me that Tom had
asked her to go with me In the evening.
/ did not like this foolish and fussy woman as
witness to probable shame or discontinue,
but hadn't much time for any further worry.
MIS-. Balbrlggan, finding it impossible to induce
me to fix what she called my front hair, de-
voted her attention to her own, and gave way
at times to an unseemlineSS of mirth which I
thought sadly out OF place; but she had always
been ridiculous Old woman. We got into the
cab that Tom had provided, and shortly went
into what Tom called the side entrance to the
insurance office, and made our way into a
gaudy little curtained stall, with lot Of flddlers
twaDging away within hands-breadth. o the
bitterness OF that moment! Tom. the lad that
i had loved and trusted, had tricked me into
coming to the theatre to aSSuage misery that
he could not understand or comfort, and had
given me over to the company OF this crazy
BalbTiggan woman, who was already pulling
upon her pudgy hands pair OF yellow gloves
many sizes too small. My heart Sweiled to
bursting. looked about me for a means OF
escape, but the play had already begun, and
the stage was filed with motley crowd OF
women and sailors. One Of these exchanged a
glar ce with Mrs Balbriggan, siding up to the
box and another Of them followed her. Mrs.
Balbrtggan nudged me with her fan, and asked
If had ever seen them before. And one of the
poor creatures g1ggling up In my face, couldn't
but see the startling resemblance to Jane Bal
brtSgan, While the fat little taWdry thing by
her side was the image OF her sister susan.
Scarce recovered from this bewilderment, saw
that one OF the sailors was John; and another
poke OF Mrs. BalbrIggan'S fan drew my atten-
ton TO fine, handsome young officer just strid-
ing upon the stage. Before he began to sing
knew 1t was Tom. and sank back In my seat.
It's quite family party" said Mrs. Balbrig-