The National tribune., 1881-11-26
IONAI4 TRIBUNE: w ITNGTON d. c., NOVEMBER 26

This was a sentiment | could not echo for at
that time it seemed to me that if l were sep
arated from my fair unseen sweetheart life would
be stale, flat and Improbable.
The correspondence was kept up all the sum-
mer and autumn; but in December there befell
what was to me an awful calamity. Miss
Screven did not write. | sent imploring letter
after letter, but no response gladdened me.
Has she Tilted you?' said Uncle Dick heart
lesSy, when he noted my pale face. In truth,
could no5 sleep nor eat; / was consumed with
lear and anxiety. What could have befallen
her?
endured 1t for Just ten days, and then L
packed my satchcl and went to Boston. Bahi
What 1t Gay 1t was when | arrived there It
had showed 4 little, and then thin cold rain
began to drizzIe down despairngly Theweather
suited me better than the garish spIendor of the
hotel and | wandered forth that evening half
unconsciously vending my way toward the
street in which Miss Screyen boarded fnund
myself opposite the house From an upper win
dow a light struggled family between the
closed shutters and thrilled me through and
through. Perhaps she was there, i'll and alone
worse still, by slatternly servant. | went mp
the steps and rang the bell. \ slip of a girl
opened the door to me, and l handed her my
card, saying mechanically, Ask Miss Screven
if she will see me-
| trusted that the name John Bell would per-
haps lead her to suppose that l was cousin
or the father of her friend.
The slip of a servant-mad looked at the card
and then looked at me. Frances Screven?"
she said interrogatively.
"Yes" [ replied. Then 1 took the card, ran
my pencil through the engraved name, and
scrawled my ilIegible signature below it. The
servant took the card again and skurried away,
leaving standing there in the cold, dark entry.
1t was several minutes before she reappeared,
and then it was only to say in a sing-song tone,
Three flights up first door to the right"
went up the three flights and raped at the
first door to the right.
A voice called out, Come in"
I entered medium-sized, plainly furnished
room that was redolent of tobacco, with which
was mingled faint smell of whisky. There
were two arm-chairs, large table covered with
a faded cloth, and an Old-fashiOned hOrse-hair
lounge, from which, as 1 entered, young man
rose He was thin and hOllOw-eyed, and beard
Of several days growth made him look, to say
the least, unkempt. Mr.. Bell 1 presume he
said, Offering me his hand and then drawing up
a chair for me.
Il have called to see Miss Screven," said l.
"Haye you, indeed?" ne replied in a nasty,
sneering way.
1t flashed through me at once. 1t was her
husband! She had deceived me-!
May ask if you are any relation to Miss
Jane Bell, of Dundas, Washington county, New
York, pOst-office box 1922 he continued in the
same sneering way.
I suffered and stammered, tried to lie, and
nearly choked myself to death wanted to be
diplomatic; 1 wanted to shield her from his
anger
"Who the devil are you, anyway?" he ex-
claimed.
'I-I am John Bell" answered; and I have
called to see your sister. Is she ill?"
Il haven't any sister" said he nonchalantly;
. that is, am my own sister, and she has just
escaped pneumonia"
The truth flashed upon me. You are on i'm
pOstor, sir" exclaimed
Iour sister doesn't think so" said he compla-
Gently.
Il haven't any sister," said I, in my turn.
He wheeled sharply about: Who is Miss Bell,
then?"
II am all the Miss Bell that exists" an
swered grimly.
"What!" lie exclaimed; "you are the petted
darling who wanted to be poet and an essayist
and Lord only knows what all? You are the
only child of wealthy parents? You are the
lovely creature who sits in pink boudoir and
writes verses with q gold pen and on perfumed
paper?
Yes said I desperately.
Screven dropped into chair and roared "a
sell all round!" said he. And then he laughed
until he cried, while l quietly stole away back
to the hotel, sadder bat u wiser man
2 SEVERE REPARTEE.