The new North-west. [volume] (Deer Lodge, Mont.) 1869-1897, 1884-08-15
while, at least--that we belong to the
hive Of working bees. =
do we want to forget IL. Avisa"

while, at least-that we belong to the
hive OF working bees.
do we want to forget II. Avisa"
"Of course we dor said Avis.
In very truth, the girl almost be-
lieved herself In enchanted land when
she sat that evening in the glittering
parquet Of the Opera House. the
scented. diamond sparkling crowd
around her, the sound of the great cam
tatricc's voice seeming TO lift her into
boundless space.
.'Oh, listen, John-listenr' she cried
ecstatically. "Oh, If could always
live like thisr' DID
The opera was Faust" and as Patti
stood trying on the fatal box Of trim
kets before the glass, and warbling the
delicious Jewel Song" Avis. was
aroused from her trance OF delight by
a slight confusion in the adjoining
seats.
A man had made his way through
the crowd. and laid his hand on John
Wcldon's shoulder with an authorita-
tive pressure.
"My friend" he said in low voice,
'you are wanted"
John started up. white and breath
less.
Has anything happened?" said he.
lis my sister ill?"
Now don't make fuss" said the
stranger, turning back the lapel OF his
coat far enough TO display police
mans uniform. "And don't play in
noccnt. 1t amt a-goin' to pay. You
are arrested for stealing lady's purse,
and the quieter you come along with
ME the better it will be for all parties"
So John Weldon was taken away to
the station-housc, and Avis was car
ried fainting out into the lobby.
Was it 4 frighiful visionP or what
was IL that had thus blighted her dream
OF delight?
Sac was lying on the sofa the next
noon, her throbbing head bandaged in
cold water, her heart full of sick ter
ror. when the door opened, and in came
Rcbecca.
You nave been 10 the police-courtP"
said Avis. starting up. 'Oh, what did
they say? WHAT docs it all meanP"
lis all right enough" said Rebec-
ca. slowly. mo thanks to you, though,
AVIS DtulOU. IL ou loul oCHoS-
less pride that have brought this dis
grace upon man who was never yet
put 10 shame before his fellow-crea-
lures! You see. there was q robbery
ai Masscy's yesterday morning. lady
lost her purse with fifteen pounds, q
pair of diamond earrings, and these
two opera tickets in it. And the thief,
it's likely, flung away the tickets, lest
they should be Il clue to track him, and
the Evil One put EN- directly in your
way, Avis Benton. For the lady knew
the numbers, and the police were set
on the track TO sec who presented the
tickets!'
al am very sorry" sighed Avis
with a shuddcr.
But just rs they were cross-exam-
lining poor john" added Rebecca, ''in
comes the real thief, who had pawned
the earrings. and had the notes still
unchanged in his possession. And he
confessed everything. and of course
John was exonerated from all blame"
as he coming back hcre?" said Avis
family.
Not until evening. of course. Why
should hep Hasn't he his business TO
attend TOP"
Rebecca went away upstairs, and
when she came back the sofa was
empty, and little note lay on the ia
bic.
! thank you for your kindness, but I could
not stay TO face Jonn after AL my folly and
the trouble in which ] have involved him.
Please ask him 10 forgive poor AVIS"
She was sitting in the farmhouse
door, three days aftcward, feeding the
brood of little golden ducklings that
crowded with soft chirpings around
her, when a step sounded on the soft
grass. and the garden-gate clicked
cheerfully.
She started up with cry OF Joy.
"Oh. John!'
He held out botu hands.
You are glad to see me, Avis" said
he.
Not IL you have come to reproach
me rs / Deserve" murmured Avis,
bursting into tears.
Never that. DEAR" said honest John,
still retaining the cold little hand in
his. "Tve come to tell you how lonely
the old house seems without you. I've
come to ask you TO go back there with
me as my wife. Will you, dear Avisa"
''Oh. John! But Rebeccap"
Don't worry about Rebecca," said
John, cheerily. ''Rebecca says she
didn't know, until you were gone. how
terribly she should miss you. Answer
me, Avis, will you go back with meP"
And Avis, averting her eyes, whis-
percd, Yes"
So our little country lasswent to the
city to live, after all.
But she never again asked her hus-
band to take her 10 the opera.
After all, as John said, There was
a fitness in thingsp