The Arkansaw traveler., 1883-06-16
Fleurette. The flower, doubtless, still lying in the drawer, was all that was Jeff of old John's little romance.
CHAPTER II.

] Ut OI0 jGss1 AkstG IuHl2u[C. CHAPTER II.
 Three years soon went by was still in England. had purchased share in London practice, and although found much drudgery in my work, it was pay ing practice, and which would eventually be entirely mine, as my partner. who was growing old and rich, talked of retiring. Once or twice in every year had been down 10 Dalebury. All was the same there. John was still unmarried 1; and if he said nothing about her knew he had not forgotten the dainty little girl who had rejected his love. Yet not a word had Fleurefte sent him. She might be dead or married, for all we knew. often used to wonder whether l should meet her again whether should ever learn her secret trouble, for l felt that Fleu- rette's sadness was not so much from having to give up the hnpe of being Johns wife, as from the cause ,ha, compelled her to take that step. could only hope, age John to hope also.
 One day while snatching nasty lunch, l was informed was wanted at once. found respectable servant waiting for me.
 Please 10 come 10 my mistress a, once, sir" she said. She is taken very ill, all of sudden
 -Where does she live:" asked. The servant named street within short dis tance, and IT few minutes was at the house.
 l, was in that description of street we term respee;able-dull, quiet and re- i spectable-small houses on each side letting a, low rents-rents, most likely decreasing as an old tenant left and a new tenant came in: the sor, of place where the falling gentleman and the rising clerk or workman Eace: in their downward and upward course. On our way asked the servant what had happened 10 her mis- tress.
 "l found her sitting in her chair, sir, looking so wild and talking such gib- perish. that came for you as fast as eould.'
 She led the way 10 a s;t;ing-room. Mistress was in ;here when l left; will you please so in, sir:"
 ] went in, bu; no mistress was visible. l saw. with quick glance. that the room was pret;ily furnished-many li,,le femi- nine knick-knaeks lying about. Hang ing to an easel, near the window, were two dead birds. a goldhrch and bull finch, and on the easel stood China plate, painted with faithful representa- lion of the models. "Deoayed gentle folks l said ,o myself bu. the servants voice. calling me from above. put an end ,o all further speeula;ions. There was c.i- dent alarm ln me girl voice, so has;ened up stairs. and. JUS. inside the door of bedroom. saw woman lying on the floor. either dead or nsensible With the servants assistance. 1 flied her up and placed her on the bed. then proceeded to ascertain wha, was the mat ter. II needed, alas. very little profess sional skill 10 determine the primary cause of her illness. had before me one of those sad cases. unfortunately becom- ing more and more common, of drunken ness in one whose education and station i'll life should have raised her far above such vice. There was no doub, about II. Even Ii ,he odor of the woman's breath had not told me the truth, had seen 100 many drunken women in my time to be deceived. could do little 10 relieve her, then and. after assuring the i frightened servant her mistress was m no danger, placed her comfortably on the bed, and directed the servan, 10 loosen her clothes. As she did so. looked with pity and some curiosity on the unhappy woman. She was lady, evidently-as far as the common sense of the worG reaches-delica;ely nur,ured and well dressed. Her features were pleasing. regular. and rehned. and in spite of all. she lay here, a victim ,o the same vice that urges the brutal collier to pound his wife 10 death, and causes the starv- ing chairsonaan 10 overlie her wre.ohed baby.
 did not like to expose her weakness 10 her own servant. so promised ;o send round some medicine, and 10 look in again in the evening.
 As stood with the door half open. turning to give the servant some las, in- s,ructions. girl passed by me hastily. no, even seeming aware of my presence. Be- fore had time to speak, or even to look al her. she had thrown herself on her knees beside the bed. and was weeping bitterly over the unfortunate woman. Her face, as she knelt, was hidden from me, bu, l could see her hair was black and something in the turn of her grace fnl hsure struck me as being familiar.
 Oh, my poor mamma. my poor mamma " she sobbed out. "Wha, shall do: again. again. Oh, poor mamma -
 drew near and said "You need no, be alarmed at your mothers illness; she will soon recover
 The girl rose on hearing my voice. She turned round quickly, and looked at me Lo and behold. she was our long-los, Fleureite.
 Fleureite-and. as 1 could see even through her sorrow. as beautiful as ever {. advanced with outs,retched hands. bu, the gil drew herself up and waived me aside with the dignity of a diminutive empress.
 !" And so. as you threatened. you have intruded upon my privacy. Go-i viii never speak 10 you again -