The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1884-02-19

the table where it had laiu in loose
pile.
The table had on it several books,
photograph OF RapbaeIs Madonna IN
pretty homemade frame, another OF
Psyche aud a half.made bunch of waxs
d,wers-a glass case laid over them. s.
As ALA lifted the mass OF ecru-colored
lace letter, which had been lying under
it, fell to the floor Madameoiselle Re
tichko started quickly to pick it up, but
ALA had anticipated her and, without
any Intentional glance at the superscrip-
ton on the envelope, her eyes mechani-
cally observed it as she returned tito
the table, and she was struck instantly
with the familiarity Of the penmanships
but not until midnight, as she lay unvis-
tied by "nature's sweet restorer,n did
abe realize where she had seen it bstsFe.
As it was now,she was instantly diverted
by the perturbation OF Madsmeoiselle
Retichko who flushed suddenly and
glanced away as she caught Alias eye.
The chirography was masculine, SC
ALA naturally enough said to herself
ga lover, / suppose" and dimly won
dered again which of her friends writ
ling it resembled.
"Well,' exclaimed she, "you are ar
artist! I've been intending to buy me {
white shawl and that is lovely you art
making. I'm sure l couldn't buy one
half so beautiful, and I'll engage you to
make me one if you will"
So, as ALA remembered in the nigh
whose handwriting resembled that sh'
had seen, she rose, opened her desk, ant
after some rumaging produced note.
"The same! There is DO difference
What can it mean2 Another victim
How shall 1 discover-for discover
wiN-and SAGE! Yes, will prove biz
thwarting genius!' and little white
clinched ist and set lips emphasized the
expression.
"Your Madameoiselle Rstichko is ar
exquisite little mite, Blanche" said Alls
the next morning to her friend, Mrs
Delswaud.
"very; and she has quite history
poor child"
"She is foreign. Russian, should
Judge from her name"
"Yes; her father was Russian-s
shiftless man, judge, with rowing ten.
dency. He was in France when the war
broke out, Joined the French and was
killed. Her mother, the daughter of o
French artist, and inheriting his organi.
zation, upon her husbands death, decl-
ded to come to this country, where one
OF the few who really appreciated her ia.
theirs genius resided. and still commu-
nicated with the daughter for the love he
bore the father. He was wealthy and
assisted Madame Retichko in the open
ing OF a private school For a while
she was wonderfully successful. Then
her friend became bankrupt during the
late crisis and at last died. His patron
age Withdrawn the school did not -four.
ish SO we'll, and madame became weak
ened from her struggles and yielded an
easy victim to typhoid fever.
"Dying, she left the little waif you
have seen to turn bither and yon for her
livelihood. Sister Nelfs children atten-
ded the school and she took Oalone into
the family as kind of governess.. Then,
when they went to Europe, / procured
her work Of the kind she does now-for
we had noticed that she was wonderfully
ingenious with all fancy work. She is
kept very busy, and most OF the people
who patronize her are wealthy"
Every day or two found ALA with
OaIone Retlchko, who accepted this in.
terest gratefully; and ALA one day dnd-
ing her in tears drew forth confidence
which decided her as the arbiter of the
little foreigners fate.
She, Oalone told her, had been pur.
chasing some material one day in the
shop which she usually patronized, and
just after leaving it her bundle not being
securely tied came apart in that highly
gratifying way they have of doing some.
times. She walked on and did not OBJ
serve that smaller parcel, which had
been placed inside one of the larger
ones, bad fallen out, until gentleman
fastened after her with it. She thanked
him, noticed he was handsome and ad
mired him for that and his manner very
much. Two days later she received
note from him signed Theodore Lacy
and soliciting her earnestly. but cautious
ly, to allow him an introduction, perhaps
through some gentleman friend Of hers.
She, of course, had no gentleman friend.
and yet she was in a great degree attract.
ed to the gentleman. She concluded
that he must have discovered her address
In the shop she had been 10, since they
had it, and he had probably seen her
come out she did not answer the note,
she said.
But he was always ready with pre-.
text to facilitate their intercourse ard
she, being SO lonely and without friends,
had allowed these advances, not realizing
the extent Of the improperly, since for
eigner's ways are not our ways, and she
did not know but it might be an allowa-
bile fashion for the ladies and gentlemen
in this country to get acquainted in that
manner.
He discovered her occupation and en-
gagged ber to make him several clusters
OF wax flowers, and at last called upon
her under the pretext of attending to
these.
When he went awav he had written to
her. But now he had once called upon
her and twice written her, both times
making an appointment to meet her at
certain hotel. She had refused the first
time, but now be was go urgent. and
and-he was so very kind he wished to
take her for drive, and il he drove to
her house it would make it so conspicu.
Gus for her, ETC.. etc
"And, OIL Mees Simms, it is not well
to do so for me, | think and yet how
shall cay not when he2he loves me so
much, you know, Mees Simms p
"Have you his photograph ?" asked
Allg.
mo, Mees Simms."
"Then would You mind showihg me
one of his notes p
mo, surely not to you. nv friend. I
do 80 with joy" a surprise however, in
her sweet tones
"When was he away ?" continued ALA
as she looked again at the familiar writ