Middletown transcript., 1884-02-29

What better gift could | have asked
than the gift of dear Jack'sloveP
Several little tokens were at my
breakfast plate, some very expensive,
too, for since Jacks pictures had
begun to sell so we'll and orders poured
in faster than he could execute them,
he had begun to be quite extravagant.
He had gratifed an oft expressed
wish Of mine by having little canoe
earring, found in the basket in which
they first found me, set in ring for
me for one of my birthday presents.
1t was an exquisite, clearly-cut cameo,
and it had decidedly unique setting
SO | had always INDUCED in the hope
that sometime, perhaps, I might learn
through it who my parents were.
It had evidently dropped into the
basket by mistake, for there was moth
ing else about me to identity me.
There was none of the proverbial straw
berry marks or moles, so | had only
the cameo to connect me with the un-
known past.
So slippedit on my finger, and when
Jack told me to keep it for an engage
ment ring until he could procure
another, it became doubly dear to me.
By and by, as soon as breakfast was
finished, much to my surprise and dis
appointment, my lover went up to his
studio and remained invisible for two
hours.
"He might have spent my birthday
with me, anyway, /" pouted as plodded
upstairs, feeling "blue" enough. |
knocked at the door Of the studio.
" Not just now, dear, I'm busy" came
in Jacks voice from beyond the door.
Angry and indignant, for he had
allowed me to spend my mornings there
for two months past, I went to my
own room.
And | was angrier still when, ten
minutes later, his door opened to admit
Miles Griffith, a fellow from the Artists
club.
And then | was ready to cry with
vexation. They had always petted
and spoiled me, mother and Jack, and
let me have my own way, SO that |
could not bear even this little neglect
gracefully.
And beside, we were just engaged,
and Jack, it seemed to me, wasn't act
ing just as he ought under the circum-
stances.
At last | determined to be mean
enough to listen to hear, if | could,
what they were talking about so earn
estly in the studio.
Me- found out at once, for Jack
had just spoken my name as | guiltily
put my ear to the keyhole. "a dis
graceful thing to do, I admit, but as |
mean this to be faithful account Of
my birthday, and as really did listen at
the keyhole, Irecord it..
Il have made great mistake, " said
Jack, signing heavily.
couldn't distinguish Mr.. Griffth's
reply, but !, hushing my breath, heard
Jack say again:
1T has always been my mothers
wish. | did it more to please her,
/ suppose. She loves Bird dearly,
and
With dry sob fell forward on the
rug. l could not have stirred then
had they opened the door and saw me
there.
"He has found out this early that
he has made mistake, has he ~
thought bitterly, when my brain stop
ped whirling SO | could think. It was
only to please his mother that he had
asked me to become his wife And to
think he would reveal his disappoint-
ment to that horrid old Griffith first
Oh, it was too humiliating.
I resolved to release him at once, but
again | listened, having dim hope,
suppose, that perhaps my ears had de-
ceived me.
IF it suits my mother" began
Jack.
''That's not the thing, interrupted
Griffith. You never would be suited.
She lacks expression, and
= Yes, l -naturalness- know
the faults, for am better acquainted
with Birdie than you are, Griffith"
"To be sure,'' assented Griffith,
"Mouth too large eyes very vacant,
I've noticed. advise you to give it
up"
"I'll take your ADVICE" said Jack,
emphatically, and then | rushed to my
room.
So, through Grifith's advice, which
Jack seemed 80 ready to take, my brief
little romance was to be shattered.
Well, I would never stay and let him
see my heart break, for | felt sure l
never could live through this trouble
50 dear had Jack in the role Of lover
become to me in few short hours.
And SO some way-now it all seems
like vague dream to me-I found my
self wandering aimlessly down
strange street, not knowing nor car
ing where my steps tended. Some
workmen obstructed the sidewalk, and
was obliged to cross the street.
/ remember Of stepping down and ad-
vancing few steps, Of hearing hoarse
shouts Of warning, feeling a sudden
shock, and then all was blank.
When returned to consciousness 1
was in a strange room everything was
strange to me.
4 Where am / p" | asked although
could see no one. What has hap
pened r"
You are with friends, = said low
4 -