The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1881-05-14

to unfasten Rover"
The man turned away slowly, as II
to move an effort, and Bell sprung
up in an impulse of remonstrative
protest.
Rose how can you be so heartless?
He is pale as death, and only see how
he drags himself along? You might
have let him sit down a minute, and
at least have given him kind word
and piece of bread and butter"
A contemptuous laugh pealed from
Roses red lips.
Tired and i'll: Drunk and thief,
you'd better say? A piece of bread
and butter! Absurd, Bell ~
Bell raised her finger warningly.
"Oh, Rose, don't! He'll hear youp,
Rose raised hei voice 4 key hinher
I. Let MN near, then! Perhaps you
had better sit and watch that he does
not faint and fall"
She swept haughtily into the house,
leaving Bell with her cheeks flush
ing, and compassion born of the
sweet, womanly sympathy glowing
in her blue eyes as she watched the
man walk slowly, painfully along,
and finally halt at the gate as if in
utter discouragenent at the long
stretch of road between him and the
next house, where he might find
what Rose had rudely denied-the
magnificent country seat of Lionel
Granville, from whose doors no
beggar was ever turned away hungry.
Bell saw him, and her quick in
stincts told her what she imagined
his manner meant,
Quick as bird, she dashed up
stairs to her room and snatched her
portemOnaie from the bureau drawer,
and was down again with sovereign
in her hand, as she ran softly after
him, still leaning against the gate
post, and still looking with that same
strange expression on his pale face at
the towers of Fernley Court.
Here, please. 1t isn't much, but
it's all | have to spare. Take it,
please"
He looked surprisingly at her, and
then at the money.
you are very kind. but you are
mistaken. l only wanted "a"
Bell thurst the money in his hand.
"Never mind, please. 1 think l
can see you are proud but take it.
There !"
He seemed amused at her eager
ness, but made no more ado about
accepting the gift and pocketing it,
and he stool and watched her slim
figure fitting away like the spirit in
the dust.
The next day Rose came into Bells
room radiant as she only permitted
herself to be under rare circunlstan.
ces. her gray eyes flashing and her
red lips parted in smile of triun,-
plant delight.
"BeIl. see this! Now What do you
say?"
She laid square monogranlned
envelope in the girls lap, addressed
to the Misses Melton. and bearing
inside invitation, to the reception at
Fernley Court for ii fortnight from
that night.
Rose watched the girl'- sweet face
glow, under the ,ururise, then saw.
to her aniazrmenl. that flush of de-
light fade.
"Well, Bell, of course We'll go, I'll
take some money can spare and get
some suisse, and wear natural flowers
with it; and ! know you have
sovereign laid aside for an emergen
cy. You can get good many things
with it-gleves and sash. you know
and who knows but what Lionel
Granville may be captivated -
Bell laid the envelope softly down.
II can't go, dear, unless | wear my
old white muslin, and | will look
wretched reside your new suisse, l.
I've spent my money !"
Rose frowned.
Spent your money? Why l saw
it yesterday morning in your drawer.
/ noticed that the edge of the soyer
eign WAS little chipped, and re-
menlhering whether it was a good
one or not. Spent your money Bell,
what do you mean ~
Bell met the vexed eyes as calmly
as she could. She was just little in
awe of this magnificent sister of hers.
II gave. it to that poor man last
night, Rose. was so sorry. am
sure he wasn't the sort of a man to
talk to as you did. l know he de-
served the money"
Rose sat down, and folded her
hands in icy wrath.
"Give sovereign to a tramp--a
beggarl Well if it dosen't pass my
comprehension ~