The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1884-01-05

|
was none of the proverbial strawberry
marks or moles SO often found on lost
children in stories so | had only the
cameo to connect me with the unknown
past.
So slipped it on my finger, and
when Jack told me to keep it for an
engagement ring until he could pro-
cure another it became douhly dear to
me.
By-and-by. as soon rs breakfast was
finished, much to my surprise and dis
appointment, my lover went mp to his
studio and remained invisible for two
hours.
"He might have spent my birthday
with me. anyway lpouted as l plod-
ded upstairs fcrlin. "bluc" enough
knocked at the door of his studio.
Not Just now, dear. I'm busy" came
in Jack voice from beyond the door.
Angry and indignant. for he had allow
ed me to spend my mornings there for
two months pastel silently went to my
own room.
And was angricr still when not ten
minutes later his door opened to admit
Miles Griffith, y fellow from the Artist s
Club.
And then was ready TO cry with
vexation. They had always pcttcd and
spoiled me, mother and jack, and let
me have my own way, so that | could
not bear even this little neglect grace
fully.
And besides we were just engaged.
and Jack, it seemed TO me, wasn't act
inc just n. he ought under the circum-
stances.
.l.!... was determined to be mean
'5 f.i tn listen and hear if | could
a ~ ta"y were talking about so earn
six in tbc studio.
Ne, fund out at once for Jack had
Just spoken my name Is guilty
put my ear to the keyholc. a dis
graceful thing TO do. admit, but a. ]
mean this to be faithful account Of
my birthday. and rs really did listen
at the keyholc, record it)
Il have made great mistake, said
Jack, signing heavily .,
couldn't distinguish Mr.. Griilths !
reply, but l, hushing my breath. heard I
JdCh Say dGNiH'
at has always been my mothers /
wish. did it more 10 please her, /
suppose. She loves Bird dearly, and
With dry sob fell forward on thel
RUG. / could not have stirred then had !
they opened the door and saw nc there.
He has found out thi, carly that he
has made mistake, has he?' thought
bitterly when my brain stopped whrl-
ne so could think. 1T was only to
please his mother that he asked me to
become his wife! And to think he
should reveal his disappointment to
hat horrid old Griffith first. o, it was
90 humiliatinS.'
resolved to release him ut once, but
'gain | listened, having dim hope,
suppose that perhaps my ears had de-
'eived me.
IF it suits my mother-- began
Jack.
That's not the thing" interrupted
griffith. You never would be suited.
She lacks expression and
Eyes, ! know naturalness-I know
he faults-for I'm better acquainted
With Birdie than you are, Griffith"
80 be sure" asscnted Griffith.
Mouth too large; eyes very vacant, I've
loticed. advise you to give it up
"rll take your advice said Jack
alphabetically, aud then | rushed to my :
DOM.
So through Griffith $ advice which
lack seemed so ready to take, my brief
title romance was TO be shattered. !
Veil, would never stay and let him I,
zee my heart break, too; for felt sure
never could live through this trouble.
80 dear had Jack in the role of lover /
become to me in few short hours.
And so some way-now it all seems
ike Il vague dream TO me- found
myself wandering aimlessly down n
strange street, not knowing or caring
where my steps tended. Some work !
men obstruc;cd the sidewalk and | was |
obliged TO cross the street.
| rcmcmocr of stepping down and !
ldyancing a few steps. OF hearing
loarsc shouts OF warning, feeling Il
sudden shock, and then all was blank.
When | returned to consciousness |
y as III u Sli diiC' t''hi' ''N' = 'hAHt7 ""0
strange TO me.
Where am I?' | asked, although i
,ould sec no one. What has happen
,dp'
You are with friends said low
,oicc near me, aud turning my eyes
hey fell on swcct-faccd lady not yet
Did, although her hair was nearly
white sittlnp near me,
How came hcrc?" demanded in
4 weak, startled voice.
After brief consultation with the
evidently the nurse, the lady ,
decided to explain the situation.
you are weak. but trust to your
rood sense to remain calm while | tell
you why YOU are here. About a month
lgo YOU were crossing the street and
my husband and | accidentally ran
against and severely injured You.
There was nothing about YOU to iden-
lily you. SO we brought you home"
And this was Il month ago; has
no one been here? Did you advcr-
lise?"
No" replied the lady. 1T was re-
ported in tho police news, believe, as
my husband had TO pay large fine for