Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1880-05-14

fastening it in my buttanhole.
How do you make the distinction.
That is surely attractive, but why
swceter than the rest ?"
because mother said So" came the
prompt answer. She loves violets,
and says everybody will whenthey see
Ethese.'
But your tray is nearly full--a sad
tale of poor trade l fear. Does your
mother cultivate violets?'
"Yes, slr-or at least my big brother
does; he grows them under glass"
"And what is your name, pray ?"
"Nella Martyr, sir"
At that moment gentleman came
hurrying by us at a furious gait. As
he walked past something dropped
from an inner pocket almost at the
very feet of Nella.
"A pocketbook T. she exclaimed,
holding it up for my inspection.
Bring it to me. child; that man
must be very careless to place his
yaluables so insccurely."
She brought it, then seated herself
by my side, tray in hand, waiting for
me to inspect it. The wallet contained
notes and other papers of importance
to the owner.
at must be returned at once"
said, looking into Nclla's upturned
face.
Yes, sir, mother would say so if
she were here. What great lot OF
money, and oh, how happy it would
make us all u
/ arose from my seat then, and
taking Nella by the hand walked out
of the square in the direction the Pc
ldestrian had taken. 1 found her home
way up in the smoke and blackness of
crowded London, with an area down in
the basement covered with glass.
Search as we might, no owner of the
lpocket book was discovered. l did
Everything to find the owner, but failed.
The contents were mostly bank of Eng
land notes of great value, and realized
to the family quite an income. Nella
went to SCHOOL, felt quite an interest
in her--so her education went on IN
der my care. From the turbulent
quarter of back London they moved
into pretty rooms in Scots Terrace,
where l became q constant visitor. Her
mother was an agreeable English lady.
while the brother, stout lad, soon
found other employment. What pleased
me most as the Eaonths went by, was
the great improvement in Nella. Her
manner became refined and lady-lik
under the tutelage of Ger new master.
Three years went by-years that gave
to her mind more development than
her whole past life had done. 1t is
needless to say that I had became her
admirer; she was SO favored by natural
endowment, that I feared as the days
went by her talents would develop into
some art that would take her from me.
So one day when the manager of
popular theater desired to bring her
out, felt for the first tiuae the paAgs
of jealousy.
"Do as you like, Nella. 1 don't
doubt you have genius, and may make
great success--but what will it all
amount to? Will not the friends that
love you grieve to see your beauty dis
played to the wanton gaze of the
crowd ?"
! But notwithstanding the advice she
had set her mind on it, and all was ar
ranged for debut.
On the opening night stood at one
of the wings and saw her 60 on, falter
and tremble, then with steady step and
Frightening eye go through the first
words of her role. What sound of
Applause welcomed her concluding
words-though but minor part-that
of sewing maid-yet the spirit which
she threw in the piece won her acclama-
tions of delight. I stood by waiting
to attend her home at the end of the
play, expecting her to be full of the
excitement which she had gone through.
Judge OF my surprise, if you can,
when she entered the green room ut
terly exhausted.
"This is my last appearance on the
STAGE" she said to her mother in an
swer to her greeting. 81 told you I
would gain some applause, and have
gratified all the desire I shall ever have
to appear in public"
"Well, my daughter, do as you
like. Your determination is unlocked
for, but you know never had any de-
sire to see you appear on the stage. No
not even for an hour" and the good
woman looked and felt as if she had
spoken her mind.
As for me, when We drove home thai
night I made up my mind that she
should appear on an entirely differen
stage-that is if she had the same feel
ing for me now that she had before hel
debut.
"Your success might have been of (
greater value in certain sense, thar
what am about to OFFER" said. "Yor
know that my affection for you has al
ways been of the strongest nature
Nella, ever since the time met yoA il
the park selling violets. If you viii
be my wife will give you my Who'll,
life. You shall never have one un
happy day if it is in my power to make
it Joyous, or q shadow to cross you
path that can dispel. d. you, Cal
yon love me. Nella. enough to b.
mine for life?'
She looked at me out of those tender
blue eyes in a strange manner. half in
elined, l fancied. to disbelieve thu
words I uttered. Her color came ant
went, and then with one mighty rusl
the blood surged to her temples. Sht