Delaware state journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1870-1883, 1880-11-25
STORY OF TWO LIVES.


eft her Such pretty, pretty baby
such big eyes. blue as vi'leta-iust ike /
his--iuat like his Fifteen years and
never a aieht of my darling, my pretty |
one! IIidin' all this time hidin for |
fear she might hear q me might catch |
sight o. ma, feel somehow that It was
her mammie, and grow sick and pui IN
her little hands. and little soft hands
they were, all pink in the middle, bless
'emi"
Struggling to its feet the figure bowed
and trembling with something more than
cold or age, crept feehly on. Before
the fifth in the row OF marble fronts it
came to halt of recognition and de
cision. With slow and ahorious efforts
the steps were surrounded, and feeble
pull brought an answering servant The
door.
rs she-can see ths young mistress ~
queried the shaking voice.
ITS pretty time o night to be asking
such question! No, you can't see her,
of course. cause she's not in
mot in Would you please tell me
where she is n
why, where Should she be To the
operer, of course, long with the rest o
the fsshionables."
.'will she be long?'
"She'll be here somewhere long o
'leVen o'clock, and not minute earlier.
Go long now, aud come again at decent
time o. day if you've got any business
with Miss Grace, which. mind, | don't be
lieve you have, more than begging. SO
go long now'' and the door was shut,
only half rudely, in her face
Still the figure stood upon the upper
step, shivering perceptibly in the wintry
gusts, but making no attempt to descend.
Not home till II o'clock, and no time
10 lose'-well, well waitin' an hour or
two amt much after waitin IL year. I'll
Just drop down here and wait"
Minute after minute went by. Now and
then passing football broke the silence
with faint echoes
Little by little the voice grew weaker,
sinking at last into inarticulate moaning.
Suddenly the stiffness was broken by
the sound of approaching carriage wheels.
Another moment and the vehicle had
dashed noisily round the corner and drawn
up before the door.
The coachman had not time to descend
from his box before CHEEKY voice from
within cried Never mind, attend to III,
horses I'll help Miss Grace and suit
ing the action to the word tall, lith,
figure sprsng from the carriage and ex
tended its arms toward the other occupant
With gay laugh she evaded them, and
stepping lightly to the ground ran up tn
steps, crying:
Thank you, most gallant OF escorts
But you see l do not need your help an,
more than Johns"
The laughing accents changed to a or
of terror. Her feet had stumbled upol
something in the darkness, and, throwin
out her hand to regain her balance, it ha
struck on human face.
'Oh, Frank, come What is this p
''Stand aside moment, Grace, and Il
me see. Pshaw 1t is nothing but an oil
woman. What do you want here Wha
do you mean by soaring people out O
their wits in this way r
The voice was very faint that said
II wanted to see the young lady.
The sweet, bright face, framed in il
puiTs, as in some curious carved worl
drew nearer at this, and bent to questicr
you wanted to see mo What can
do for You? Come in, though, first don
stand freezing there on the steps. Franz
bring her into the hall. Why, how dreat
fully she looks. l am afraid she is yer
i'll"
The womans eyes had fixed themselvt
upon her at her first word. They nevt
wandered for moment after that, b,
seemed riveted upon her face with hui
cry esgerness that would have terrific
her in any one less weak and utter
wretched.
What was it you wanted me for? Al
Won in digtrega c1fariD0 ~
81 am dying, dearie p
The young mans brow contracted at IL
familiar epithet, but the girl, shocked AZ
grieved by the sudden revelation, gave
no heed.
dying! Oh no, / hope not! But "
look frightiully Ill, and we are keeping VI
standing. Rest here il this chair; or sta
there is lounge in the back parlor heI
and fire. Come and lie there while V,
speak with me.
Once in the warmed and lighted roo
she stood motioness till led BY Grac,
hand to the lounge and seated thereon.
Grace had drawn chair near her 81
sat her fur-trimmed opera cloak droppir
away from the lace covered shoulders al
satin-bOdied figure, a very fair, grRcio
picture in the warm glow of the firelig!
Lingeringly the woman's eyes left her al
wandered to the bright accessories to /
scene-the warmly tinted walls the glo
ing sea coal fire, the heavily framed 81
lures, the flowing lace curtains, the gorgeo
carpet, the luxurious furniture. IAN Il
for IL years, she muttered under d
breath.
Grace had waited with the reHpecti
patience that gave clew to the gen
tenderness of her nature. Now she spo
again.
You wanted me to do something
you, did you not Won't you tell
your trouble p
AT the sound of her voice the eyes ca,
back to her eagerly. Drinking in
tones rs one might a strain OF rare plelo,
she sat little while quite motion!e
then walked Of a sudden TO the recog
ton Of the question.
Trouble! Yes. yes, dearie moth
but trouble from first to last ruat vi
] come for, just to tell you all about ID
You should have come 10 III
or rnamma-they could help you M
better than l. "
The old woman WINGED as il fro1
blow, as the.fond household name str
her, and she cried out impatiently
No, no l don't want them. / dc
want them. I'm past help. / tell y
child. only want to talk to you
dearie-you'll not mind, will you pre-
baby 4ou will listen to the old won
a bit, for PHYS sake won't you nov
and the tore grew strangely imp.oring
There was look Of beWilderment
doubt upon the young girls face
insane beggar-it could scarcely be oil
wise, but dying woman, too that
equally evident. L would do 10 harm
humor her, with Frank standing b
dear Frank, her protector already.
Yes, yes, granny Only lie down
rest pushing her back among the cushi
with gentle hands, and / will lister
long as you choose. There now. 4
that better r
Bless EN-. bless en- The little
hands, with pink insides to en- eat
log one with shaking fingers and Lold
it il feeble, yet ciiuging clasp
wanted to tell you about my trou
child. Yes, yes, with Sudden ligh
resolution in the dimmed eyes. I'm
you all the story dea.ie, ard yoa sha!
what seems right to you, pretty on
what / ought to do II began long
long ago, when 1 was a bit Of d
dearie, may be not 80 old as you I
pretty then too-not Ike you, my "
!ammie, but with great black eyes
checks like red roses
There were plenty to spegk soft w
to me, dearie, plenty, plenty, but Il
was only one whose voice went furtha
than my ears, that sank down Into
heart of hearts. And he was the very
| oughS to have shut my ears agin,
IN nh nh o O. 0. .,4.