The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1884-02-09

her ladies. I'll go off to her now and
see If she has heard of any thing. You'll
be good, avourneens, while Pm away
! wont YEP said she, kissing the two
half-starved mites in the corner: SAN
ye Won't cry or disturb the sick daddy.
III be back. Jim, my heart, in less than
no time" ''-
Faith in divine help and patient en-
durance of suffering are traits
well known to those whose ex.
perience lies among the lower orders
foor Jim had full share of both; never
theless, when his wife had gone he broke
down miserably.
"God help her !" he said, looking af-
ter her retreating figure; and God for
give me for deceiving her, and making
up stories about getting strong and well,
Nhen know as sure as that I'm living
stretched here that the never stroke of
work I'll do again in this world. Ills
dying am-dying for the want of every
tning; as weak as water, and not able to
lift my head. If she was to slave day and
night. and work her poor fingers to the
bone, the craythur she couldn't get me
the nourishment I'd want. Though l
purtend to her that I'm not one bit hun.
cry or inclined to make use of victuals.
| could eat the world if had it. I'm
Just rayenous When l was sick at the
hospital wasn't able to look at even
a cup O. tea: but now the hunger is
gnawlng and tearing at nae. NY heart
is weak from fasting, and the longing
and the craving are killing me-"
Meantime poor Mary was hurryinc
through the streets with anxious foot.
steps, specializing on the possibility of
her friend having found ner work among
her pupils.
Miss West was daily governess,
Though but Just nineteen, she was the
main prop and stay of widowed in
valid mother and young sisters; earning
by her daily toll that which eked out the
plttance left Of better days, and made by
frugal continuance the two ends meet.
But none are SO poor as not to be able to
help IN some way those worse off than
themselves; and the young girl had
pleaded successfully for Mary, and had
procured employment that had been the
only support of the poor family during
Jlm's illness. She was going 10 break
fast when her protege was shown in;
Just preparing to attack, with the healthy
appetite of youth, and the knowledge
that many busy hours would pass before
she should again see food, goodly slice
of thick bread and butter; the thickness.
be 1t observed, referable to the bread
Only, the butter spread thereon being
limited to an almost imperceptible
"scrape."
"Ah, is that you, Mary ?" she said
with bright, pleasant smile that al
ways seemed, Mary declared, to "rise
her heart out of trouble" 81 am afraid
| have no orders for you this morning:
but have got new pupil, and she tells
me there will shortly be a wedding in
the family. So there's chance for YOU.
Needle-work may be required, an may
have good news for you before long"
Poor Mary wrung her hands together
under her cloak, straining them hard in
the agony of the disappointment that
she strove to keep down and hide from
her young benefactress. Very bitter
WAS the pang of deferred hope; but she
would not seem ungrateful.
"And | dare say" said the girl,
glancing at the white pinched face,
"that you left home without your
breakfast. Here's nice cup of tea I've
| just poured out, and round of bread
and butter" Cher own whole morning
meaD; sit down while you take them"
"Thank We kindly, miss; I'M double
thankful for the tea; and" added
the poor woman, all unconscious that
she was robbing her benefactress, Gas
you're so good, I'll put the slice in my
basket, and carry it to poor Jim. May
/ be it'll tempt him-lovely white bread
He does be saying always that he has no
mind to eat; but l think it's just pur-
tending he Is, poor fellow! He knows
1 haven't it for him."
" If could only get you some work p
said the girl, touched to the quick by
the utter woe in her poor friends face.
CAB, well, sure you're doing your
best-the Lord bless you and who
can do more? And now, miss, I'll 60,
axing your pardon for all the trouble
I'm giving you"
With heavy step Mary turned away,
retracing her steps YEARLY along the
passage. Remembering something,
however, before reaching the hall door,
she came back and reappeared in the
room where the little governess was
tying her bonnet strings prepar-
ing to set out. 81 forgot this" she
said "Sure I'm losing my mind en-
tirely with the fret that's on it. God
help me my burden is making me fool
ish. Coming along this morning seen
this on the flags and put it in my pocket,
thinking maybe if it was clean, one of
your little sisters might fancy it for her
cur osity box. Let me wipe the mud off
it for you, miss. 1t shines beautiful
nova bit of glass like"
A moments scrutiny of the object
sparkling on the woman's outstretched
palm, and Miss West crying out, "Give
it to me, quick, and wait" snatched it
from her-Mary staring in establishment
at her vehemence-and rushed up stairs
to her mothers room.
"What is it, dear? ?" said the startled
invalid, as she dashed in. "What is the
matter ?"
80, neither, look! Can this be what
we saw advertised for in the newspaper
Is it possible poor Mary can be the
lucky finder? can scarcely believe it.
Do look"
The advertisement was as follows.
$3.50 Reward. Lost valuable Dia-
mond." The description and further
particulars given. Whoever finds it,
or can give information leading to its re-
covery, will receive the above reward
by applying at No. - Merton Square,
South"
Mrs. West at once pronounced what
was submitted to her experienced judg
ment to be a diamond of great value,
and was strongly of opinion that it
might be the missing jewel; but both
mother and daughter agreed that it
would be better not to tell Mary the e1-
tent of her possible good fortune, for
fear of disappointment. So on returning
to her, the young lady only said. "My
mother thinks this may be something
we have seen advertised for in the news
paper. to be taken, if found, to Marion
Square. My first tuition this morning
happens to be in that square, SO / will
L L -. l.