The Arkansaw traveler., 1884-04-05


 her lavish expenditure for the evening meal with exuberance
 "We won't have no weak cat-lap. to- night. Bell. The tea on the hob there is made rare and strong-sort ofgunpow. der. to curl our hair bit. It has come all the way from Chiny. None of your grooer's sweepings. There's steak and onions comin' too. Don't you smell 'em: guess Mrs Doo's eyes is watering"
 Bell stared m amazement. as well she might. Such an extravagant meal had never been spread before, to her knowl- edge, within the walls O. the Lamb oi Goshen.
 "No, ain t come into fortune bu, there's chum Of mine come home from the Chiny seas. and means to celebrate it. He's been 10 call on me to-day, and bringed pile of mending He'll be here agen tomorrow. and means yer to dress me in bang-up style. 'Taint every day O the week as a gentleman O his sort walks down Linnet Lane. Why, he's first mate on board schooner. Don, yer think, Bell, as this'-she indicated the pillows of her red-gold hair, now brusl ed and combed into something like bright ness" might be done up like yours in them plaits. It don't seem ;o have no style now she added diseon,en,edly Bell. without d smile al the naseent vanity. promised to do her best on he morrow. The tender place in the ncee.e- woman $ near; was becoming apparent That night Bell went GU, and bough; a bit of cheap frii!ing to sew into the sleeves oi the body worn by Flags on Sundays. Flags d.i ao: make much account of the skirts which concealed her pataiyzed limbs.
 Ah. yer'd never ,hInk as any chap sGd come 70 see the ..<c> 0 .sc Da; he Is 4 rare gooG one to r-meu3er folks. $ Jack; and, bless yer hear. Beii. as hand some one as ever yer SC; eyes or.
 Bell started at i.le name 4ek. as sde had started before Al fhc mention of the China seas. After pause. she said:
 Is he . sailor =
 es. to be sure. None of your barge masters neither, but one as goes 10 strange countries. i,s him as give me the box said Flags. with a sof, look in her yellow eyes as she fondled the lid of the precious sandal-wood possession. She spoke in a lowered voice, almos, as if of mind 10 become confidential. Then she looked suspiciously al Bell, ard her mood changed. For Bell was looking with wondering pity al her. Flags re- sented compassion.
 .. CT U wonder now how 1 come to know s1ch a decent chap. He aia't never lodged here. bless yer. We aia't got room Tn the Lamb of Goshen good enui for the likes of him. |, are more nor two year since he come here fust 70 leoS for young sallor as had gone on the spree, and as neboiy eodidni find. Hes sharp one, Is lack. anu he sorter know'd IS Linnet Lane was a handy hiding place. Sure enuf he found him up stars with blue devils or him. l was kinder sickly then, and my legs was all draw'd Ip they're sigh, better now. He spoke bit to me. and give me some ooppers, and when he come again he bringed some flags 10 mend. Then we set to tAlkin bit. and my what stories he did tell to cheer me tip. wasn't much good at iarn' then. but my sides was Ike 10 bust with his fun. know d as he NUT well bailasted with cash after he brinsed the box. and l didn't have no fears abou; takln' more for the mendin' of them flags than from most. And it were grand 10 think as my work went to Chiny. And l, were Union ack as did fust. ain't ever done thinkin' abou, it, Flags unused awhile with pensive joy still fondly nursing the sandal-wood lld. And now he's come agen after more nor six months cruise. and he ain, forgotten me
 The sol, light ;rradia,ing the yellow eyes made them beautiful. Bell looked sorrowfully at the helpless figure and wan face, The exquisite glcams of love on ,he features of Flags went 10 her heart.
 Don't you think. Bell. as could ge, down the lane into the main street with my stick and the help D your arm :' She paused a second, and a faint blssh rose to her brow, while she laughed in an un- easy way. live sorter fancy 10 have my likeness took. There's si doorsman to photygrafier's shop as is friend O mine. He sleeps here in bad times. He ;el.d me as they'd take me cheap, as sor. O advertisement. and hang flags over my head, to sorter sinnify my big ! ness. My face, it ain | so pad to look al. | when In polished rp bi:: and C did say Is my legs weren't no great matter ID a photygraff.'
 Bell thought the por,rai; might be achieved. giving no hint that she guessed 1t was for lack. She suggested borrow ing lit;lc wheel-chair from a woman iu ! the pickle factory, who had a lame child ! Then the measure of Flags content seemed quite full. After they had gone to bed that night, Bell felt the little hands pulling at her n the darxness. In hoarse ctoak Flags demanded:
 How does swee,hear,s look. Bell ? Does they smile soft a, yer and tell yer funny tales Bout Chinermen: And when they comes, does they always leave some thing behind 'em, as though it migh, be aceiden,al-pePpermin,s, flowers, or | 'lustrated paper
 Rell said she thought such behavior migh; not be impossible amonss; sweet hearts.
 ." Did your chap do so = said Flags, after long pause and few sof, signs.
 70. don't, o, don't cried nell, ID