The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1883-11-29

knocked at the door of his studio. s.Not
just now, dear, Pm busy" came in
Jacks voice from beyond the door.
angry and indignant, for he had allowed
me to spend my mornings there for two
months past, / silently went to my own
room.
And was angrier still when ten min
utes later his door opened to admit
Miles Griffith, a fellow from the Art
lists Club.
And then 1 was ready TO cry with
vexation. They had always petted and
spoiled me, mother and Jack, and let
me have my own way, so that 1 could
not bear even this little neglect grace
fully.
And besides we were just engaged,
and Jack, it seemed to me. wasn't act
ing jus. as he ought to under the cir
cumstances.
At last was determined to be mean
enough TO listen and hear if I could
what they were talking about so earn
estly in the studio.
Me, I found out at once, for Jack had
just spoken my name as 1 guiltily put
my ear to the keyhole. CA disgraceful
thing to do, i admit, but as mean this
TO be q faithful account of my birthday,
and as really did listen at the keyhole,
l record it,
Il have made great mistake" said
Jack, signing, heavily.
couldn't distinguish Mr.. Griffith s
reply, but l, hushihg my breath. heard
Jack say again:
at has always been my mothers
wish. l did it more to please her, sup
pose. She loves Bird dearly, and -"
With dry sob fell forward on the
rug. Icould not have stirred then had
they opened the door and saw me there.
He has found out this early that he
has made n mistake. has hep l
thought bitterly when my brain stopped
whirling so could think. ut was only
to please his mother that he had asked
me to become his wife! And to think
he should reveal his disappointment to
that horrid old Griffith first! o it was
too humiliating."
resolved to release him at once, but
again listened, having dim hope, 1
suppose, that perhaps my ears had de-
ceived me.
If it suits my mother" began
Jack.
That's not the thing" interrupted
Griffith. "You never would be suited.
She lacks expression and"
"Yes. -naturalness-I know
the faults-for I'm better acquainted
with Birdie than you are, Griffith"
ITO be sure" assented Griffith.
Mouth too large; eyes very vacant, I've
noticed. l advise you to give it up"
IN take your advice" said Jack,
emphatically, and then rushed tony
room.
So through Griffith advice" which
Jack seemed so ready to take, my brief
little romance was to be shattered.
Well, l would never stay and let him
see my heart break, too; for felt sure
never could live through this trouble,
SO dear had Jack in the role of lover be-
come to me in a few short hours.
And so some way-now it all seems
like vague dream to mel found my
self few hours later wandering AIM
lessly down a strange street, not know
ing or caring where my steps tended.
Some workmen INSTRUCTED the sidewalk
and was obliged to cross the street.
remember of stepping down and adj
vancing few steps, of hearing hoarse
shouts of warning, feeling a sudden
shock, and then all was blank.
When | returned to consciousness [
was in strange room. everything was
strange to me.
"Where am I?' l asked, although 1
could see no one. ''What has hap
pened?"
"You are with friends" said low
voice nesr me, and turning my eyes
they fell ON a sweet-faced lady not vet
old, although her hair was nearly white,
sitting near me.
How came 1 here?" I demanded, in
a weak, startled voice.
After a brief consultation with the
woman, evidently the nurse, the lady
decided to explain the situation.
"You are weak, but l trust to your
good sense to remain calm while 1 tell
you why you are here. About a month
ago YOU were crossing the street and
my husband and l accidentally ran
against and severely injured you.
There was nothing about you to iden-
tify you, so we brought you home
..And this was month ago; has no
one been here? Did you advertiser"
mo" replied the lady. at was re-
ported in the police news, l believe, as
my husband had to pay a large fine for
his careleSsnesS, but l never thought Of
advertising for your friends. supposed
they would 90 10 the station, and then
be directed here, if you had any in the
CITY,"
Il have none," 1 said, bitterly. Il
was only founding, living upon
charity all my 'life.''
was reckless. l did not think how
unnecessary it was to speak of my own
history to a stranger.
A whole month l had lain there and
no one had called.
And my pale, thin hands showed how
near to deaths door had been. As l
lay looking at my wasted fingers l
noticed my ring was gone.
Hastily / inquired where it was. My
new-found acquaintance blushed, and
then said:
"Will you allow my husband to talk
with you few moments? He has your
cameo"
In few moments tall, handsome
gentleman accompanied her into the
room.
"Years ago." he began, after apol-
ogizing for being the cause of my ILL
ness, and congratulating me on my re-
covery, Il had pair of canoes carved
in this city. They were unlike anything
ever seen here. l had them set in
pair of earrings for my wife. One
night our house was robbed BY a trusted
Sn1-ranf. the f.nnenS rrnr.a taken with