The Arkansaw traveler., 1884-04-05

needlewoman suffered Bell to help her 10 rest without further demur.
 Bell had grown to love Flags Her heart in its desolation, had clung to the girl vho depended on her help. and m return, as well as she could, shielded her from coarse surroundings The better nature of the needlewoman had come to the surface, and Bell had cherished the spark of womanhness and tenderness which had not gone out utterly beReAth such adverse winds. Would the old habits and tastes be reasserted now Had Flags broken loose from the con- ssrain,s of deccncy. Was the yeaming for responsibility quenched by the might of her desperate jealousy: For Bell in She divined ins,inctively the anguish th at had been at work in the soul of Flags this day. A despairing conviction had been brought home to her that ack's al ten,ions were pure kindness. No soft lights came and went in the pale-hrown eyes. The pretty auburn hair, dishev- ellei and tangled was tossed wildly about. As Bell watched and listened. she felt that all the good in Flags had been sca,hed. She was more devil ihan woman in her mood this nght. She tossed about Tn her bed. breaking ou, from time 10 tune m snaiches of rbald i songs; she seemed to defy Bells pres ence she leered a, her, reviled her IT vain. No answer came.
 Yer pretty one 10 keep things dark : Why eotldn,: yer say as yer know U my lack .. don't yer never he won | come back. lack he's smart one and nell So and take Gp with Princess Chinywoman. Nerve been and gone and done tor yerself by running into q low lodging. A kle oi enloymeu, broke rom the bed: Nerve hanged ycrseif. Ayer've hanged ycrse.f''
 Bell sat n her silen; despair seated a, the window through the hvelong night. She watched the stars rise and set, and only longed for her own lite to se, with them.
 The next morning Flags was weak and sick. She nc longer sNere O spoke. When Bell brought her tea she drank I; with feverish ihiFs, and suffered herself 10 be assisted ,o her usual sea, on the sofa. She sSuchsaied no answer 10 Bell $ questions and SO |, wen, on for three days, which appeared to give Flags intense satisfaction. IL was only visitor who called for Bell. and took her our fat i a walk
 Within a week lack Martin came to iesch his flags. They were All ready for him, tled up in an illustrated news paper.
 Is your friend Bell still living here = he said cur,ly 10 Flags. not sitting down
 She looked al hlm out of the corners ~. her eyes, answering
 . yes she's reg lar lodger
 How long has she been here
 Flags made feint of reflection. i Let me see, i, wur aiore Christmas. l knows migh, be a couple O weeks at,er l ger wen, to Chiny. She are rare good i.os k n after her-male kind. m course. WEy. she's sor, O advertisement to the Lamb O Goshen.
 The htful gleams in the eyes of Flags were dangerous. She snapped at her thread with her teeth 10 bite 1t ofi
 Has she got followers -s~ee,hear,s-- then She's got some respectable folks ! that would like 10 hear of her" he sad, in a sor, of apologetic way
 " Trust her, shoals on 'em. Why. O Saturday nigh, the door IS blocked VI 'em a-wan,in' to treat her rlgh, and lef, |; lives like princess, she do.'
 The man breaihed heavily. Flags sniffed the air derisively.
 Is there any particular one here that she favors ~ he said, bringing out the words with difficulty. I" It's all Tn the way of friendship 10 them that belongs of her that I'm asking
 Flags winked openly, giving little elfsh soreeoh of insignihcance-
 You. you dutfer, in course there is . Why. this very afternoon she's gone GU, along of him-a chap ~i,h black eyes, and hair as looks as fl i; had shook hands with Jail-scissors- He ain, pretty one, and 1! do wonder al her taste. He'ye been hangin' abou, the Lamb of Goshen these three days 10 gc, word with her |. Looked in a; ;he windcr. he did. and struck her al! of hea. when she come in d, the door. never did see no one look so queer. guess !; wur a joyful surprise to Bell.
 Nothing could have equalled the fiend- ish malice expressed on the crippled gIrl's face. She stresc he'd ou, her thread. and made playful dab a; the sailor with her needle.
 ] "Ah. go long with yer, Tain, no use lookin so gum. Go to Ghiny, and look for princess with them feet as 'ull go into egg-cup. She won't have naugh, to say 90 you. I'll go bail she makes game or you with tha, feller. Why, she ,ell'd me about yer months ago, oney she didn't name yer. reckon she don't accoun, that curly hair and them gilt buttons O yourn as so much value as black eyes and fash weske,s vi gold chains"
 Then Flags fell 10 laughing violently, holding her hands 10 her sides as in paroxysIn of delicious mir,h.
 The man leaned against the wall. His face was ashy white. Beneath clcnched teeth he spoke quickly.
 '' Goodbye, Flags he said slowly. Then he ad.anced stel. hplding ou, his