Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1882-02-02

gone.
| enter the house, rush up to my
little carpetless room and fling myself
down on my knees, my heart beating
wildly to the music of those last words.
I forget that | am friendless orphan.
alone in a great strange city; | forget
the humilating fact that am forced
to give my voice in exchange for my
daily bread, while all the rest Of our
choir are generous volunteers; one hap
ply thought excludes all others Jack
has called me darling!
| IT is 10 o'clock next morning before
] remember the existence of any other
man. am practicing at the miserable
ruin which Mrs. Babbitt calls piano,
when that lady enters the room, bear
ing Mr.. Arlngton's card and big box
containing magnificent boquet of
rare exoties.
"a servant in livery brung 'um, says
Mrs. Babbitt, sourly. Then there
flowers must cost all O five dollars"
"That makes it all the betterp' say,
gaily meeting her hand, cold, suspi-
cious eyes with an untroubled laugh.
Why does she dislike my getting such
a loy y gift?
By the end of the week their glorious
color and fragrance had succumbed to
the icy atmosphere of the parlor-my
own room is verify the Arctic Zone it
self. To my delight the offering is
repeated on Friday. This ti.Ge Mrs.
Babbbit n.erly filings the box on the
piano, and stalks.out without word. /
look after her with wondering eyes.
"Poor old thing how she envies
mel" Isay, compassionately, and bend
ing over the mass of bloom in perfect
content Mr.. Arlington appears to me
the most thoughtful, generous gentle
man in the world.
am not surprised to find him at the
rehearsal Saturday evening, and when
he asks to be allowed to see me home /
acquiesce readily. Jack looks so hurt
and angry that hurry across to the
little closet where he is arranging the
music books.
"Jack, | couldn't help it. did it
out of pure gratitude. He has sent
me the two loviliest boquets / ever
saw"
"And what would you say if asked
you to receive no more flowers from
him?
81 should say you we're jealous !" /
answered, promptly
'Olive, | warn you as | would a sis
ter" he says, very gravely. "You will
be compromised"
COMPROMISED % / repeat, vaguely.
Yes; it seems horrible that people
should talk about a poor little innocent
baby like you-but they will p
] feel rather awed for moment;
then l sag, blindly "Ah, well, it
doesn't matter so long as my own con-
science is clear !" And l go back to
Mr.. Arlington and we set out.
1t is such an odd sensation to be
walking with any one but Jack Some
how the distance seems longer than
usual. When we reach Mrs. Rabbits
my escort asks permission to come in
and get warm, and | cannot refuse,
though blush for the shabby parlor,
where ice cream wouldn't melt. But
Mr.. Arlington apparently sees nothing
amiss and remains for u pleasant half
hour.
As go up to my room | meet my
landlay in the hail. she scowls and
doesn't answer when / bid her good
night. That woman grows uglier every
day.
Next evening Mr.. Arlington is again
at church, but Jack whisks me away
with him Immediately after service.
"The funniest thing happened to-
night" | say, as soon as we are in the
street. "You know how stout Mr..
Mesmer is? Well, Miss Woodward
handed him a paper Tom Thurstone
gave her, surprising it was the list of
next Sundays music. Poor Mesmer
looked at her all the evening in the
most heart-broken, reproachful way;
ard no wonder for Tom whispered to
me it was an anti-fat circular y
Jack pays no heed to this entertain
ing anecdote, but opens fire at once.
"Olive, Arlington went into Mrs.
Babbitt's with you last evening"
How do you know
Il dare say you will think it odd
followed you"
"Odd 1t was undetermined, ungen-
tlemanly of your | say, vehemently.
ana Ii ne tulllt III III ~ low minutes
it's more than you ever cared to do"
"Olive, dear Olive" he says in u tone
of keen reproach, sis there anything |
should more enjoy than spending a
quiet happy hour alone with you every
Sunday EVENING"
"rhen why on earth don't your |
ask, really puzzled. Mr.. Mesmer goes
home with Susie, and they sing for Mr..
and Mrs. Woodward.
"Why, there is no comparison, Olive!
An unprotected orphan like you cannot
dream of receiving callers as Miss
Woodward does. And Arlington knows
It we'll enough, too it is wickedly self
ish in him to pay you such marked at
tention. All his set will be coming to
st. Stephens to see his last fancy" And
Jack grinds his teeth at the idea. ooh,
it makes me furious to think of any
slightest breath of scandal resting on
your name Dear, dear OhveW he
goes on swiftly. give me the right TO
protect you Be my wife, darling, and
your life will be free from all that
makes If so hard now !"