The Arkansaw traveler., 1884-02-23

ment ring until he could procure another, it became doubly dear to me.
 By and by, as soon as breakfast was fnis, ed, much to my surprise and disappointment, 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, Pm busy" came in lacks voice from beyond the door. Angry and indignant, for he had allowed me to spend my mornings there for two months past, went to my own room.
 And 1 was angrier still when, ten minutes later, his door opened to admit Miles Griffith, fellow from the Artists club.
 And then was ready to cry with vex ation. They had always peted 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 lack, i, seemed to me, wasn't act ing just as he ought under the cireum stances.
 At las, determined to be mean they were talking about so earnestly in the studio.
 Mel found out at once, for lack had lust spoken my name as Aliltily put my ear to the keyhole. "A disSaceful thing to do, admit. but as l mean this to be faithful account of my birthday. and as l really did listen at the keyhole, record it.
 - have made great mistake said lack, signing heavily. couldn't distinguish Mir. Grifiith's re- ply, but l, hushing my breath. heard ack say again
 It has always been my mothers wish. did ii more to please her, sup pose. She loves Bird dearly, and"
 With dry sob l fell forward on the rug. 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 hep thought bitterly. when my brain stopped whirling so could think. It was only to please his mother that he had asked me to be- come his wife And to think he would reveal his disappointment to that hoirid old Griffith first! Oh, it was too humili- ating.
 l resolved to release him q, once, but again listened, having a dim hope. 1 suppose, that perhaps my ears had de- celved 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. know w-n1turalness-lk know the faults, for am better acquainted with Brdie 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, en,- phatIcally, and then rushed to my room
 So, through Guitith's advice, which lack seemed so ready to take, my brief little romance was to be shattered Well, l would never stay and let him see my heart break, for fel, sure 1 never could live through this trouble, so dear had Jack in the role of lover become to me in a few short hours
 And so some way-now II all seems like vague dIcam 10 me-I found my self wandering aimessiy down strange street, not knowing nor caring where my steps tended. Some workmen obstructed the sidewalk. and was obliged to cr6ss the street.
 remember of stepping down and ad- vanoine few steps, ,i hearing hoarse shouts Of warning, feeling a sudden shock. and then all was blank. 1 When l returned In consciousness was Tn strange room, everything was strange to me.
 Where am ," l asked. although l could see no one What has nap pened!"
 "Nou are with friends said a low voice near me, and tnsning my eyes they fell on et-aeed lady. no, ye, old, although her hair was nearly white, sitting near me.
 How came here :" demanded in a weak, startled voice.
 After brief consultation with the wo . man, evidently the nurse, the lady de- eided 10 explain the situation.
 You are weak. but trust to your good sense to remain calm while l tell you why you are here. About a month ago you were crossing the street and my husband and l accidentally ran against and severely injured you. There was nothing about you to identify you, so we brought you home"
 And this was month ago. Has no one been here? Did you advertiser
 No,' replied the lady. " It was re- ported in the police news, believe, as my husband had to pay large fine for his carelessness, but never thought of advertising for your friends. 1 supposed they would go 10 the station and then be directed here, if you had any in the city"
 have none," said bitterly. II was only ioundling living upon charity all my life.'
 was reckless. did not think how unnecessary II was to speak of my own history 10 a stranger A whole month l had lain there and no one had called. And my pale. thin hands showed how near to deaths door had been. As I lay looking al my wasted SnosYS I no