Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1882-03-11

-tii III heT HaF!n corner. surrounded by letters
and papers, wore a look OF unmitigated and stony
despair.
Something truly remarkable must have taken
place since Jessica left the room for it was no
| tceable that Henry Woods entrance caused no
more surprise than that of Jessica, who had
Just slipped away to find her glove
'Jessica," said Mrs. Arden. in an awful
voice. ''Jessica. my poor beggared child, come
here!"
Now, my dear" interrupted Mr. Arden. rath-
er helplessly, do you think this is the place to
tell her? Don't you think on the whole it would
be as well to wait until We get home"
Mrs. Arden smiled bitterly. Il have no doubt
you would like 60 keep it secret Mr.. Arden VI
she said. 81 have no doubt you would like al
ways to put it off, perhaps to never let her know
But shall not deceive my dead sisters child ]
think the truest kindness is to tell her the truth
| at once"
:'But, my DEAR" pleaded poor Mr.. Arden.
once more. don't you think better tell her. ii
she must be told; you look on things in the very
Il certainly do not gild the TRUTH" said Mrs.
Arden, stiff1y.
And you know my DEAR" continued the
iuckiess Mr. Arden, that you always say that
you do not understand business, and so"
Mrs Arden interrupted her husband with 9
whitening look on her face.
THANK Heaven that l do nOtr she said,
| rather eXplosively 'Thank Heaven / do not.
Thank Heaven, though, l have never made the
pretenceS that others have, of being in any way
better than my feliow-creatures at least have
never robbed the orphan and the fatherless.
have at least never broken any sacred trusts.
and squandered the little fortunes submitted to
my care, and made beggars of my dead sister-in-
| law children; at least have never taken I'M
suspecting ladies from homes Of luxury and
married them on purpose to bring them to beg
gary and woe. If this is understanding bust
ness, do not understand business, and thank
Heaven that do not"
AS Mrs Arden ceased speaking she burst into
tears, and Mr. Arden looked both angry and
perpleXed. There was moment of most uIl-
comfortable silence, then Mrs. Arden continued.
something less tragically.
g Four weeks ago. Mr.. Wood we told YOU in
Paris that we could never let Jessica marry you
Now, say, take her, and keep her from starya-
ton; she is a miserable beggar."
Henry Wood, 81 have rather weakness for
beggars as class, and promise you that Jessie
shall never starve."
Jessica slipped her hand within her lovers
arm, and Mrs. Arden suddenly relapsed into
tears. Monsieur LANCE and Epiphanie were
heard descending the stairs. Jessica crossed the
kitchen to her aunt.
They are coming down, Aunt Alice" she
said: Don't let them see you crying. 1t may
not be SO bad as you think. after ALL"
Henry Wood went to poor Mr.. Arden by the
window.
You've had bad news from America ?" he
said. "Of course know it's not so hopeless as
she fears, but you are in trouble. Ii there's any
thing on earth which +"
oh, thanks" answered Mr.. Arden, hastily,
mot at all. not at all. Things are not SO horri-
bly, lost. My wife, ah-n fact all women are apt
TO eXaggerate difficuties-dOn't you think?
had papers this morning, and letter from my
lawyers III Baltimore, and, wel-in short it is
about that gold mine in Alaska; the Primrose,
you know: the assayer was paid, and there was
all the usual rascality, and the usual number of
donkeys were taken in. l was one of the don
keys. invested fifty thousand dollars, and
said to myselfthat if succeeded would call half
OF it Jessicas money; but that if lost, the loss
should be mine. Well, have lost. l am by no
means beggar, but we must go back at once
to America; and Jessicas little fortune is as it
was, neither more, nor less.'
Monsieur Lange and Epiphanie were now in
the kitchen.
''Epiphanie," said Wood, 81 hope you will not
let our friends go back to town without refresh
ment."
"If Monsieur PERMITS" said Epiphanie 81
would like to make St. Valentines pudding,
such as my pretty tibelot used to like when |
lived with Madame his mother.
ELEANOR PUTNAM.