Evening capital. (Annapolis, Md.) 1884-1910, 1885-11-14
THE ORDEAL.


why. Rosa. what ails yon to-day,
childp You are striking flats instead of
sharps. You are playing Minarelli's
sonata in c upon the key of 6. You
are putting enough chromatics for q
whole opera in one poor little scorel
Are you i'll. or are you asleepP"
Rosamond Villars pushed back her
stool, thereby overturning the music
book with crash over the keys, burst
into tears. and hid her flushed face in
the great "bow-pot'' of roses that old
Alexander Piret always kept on the
lamp-shelf of his piano. ''sweetener
of study" as he quantity phrascd it.
MOI she cried. mo! am not sick
land | am not asleep; but, ah! / am so
very--very wretchedl And please, NJ.
Piret, don't know what to do!'
She looked very pretty, this 17-year-
old girl, as she lifted her long-iashed
hazel eyes to the old music masters
full of FURNISHED CLEANS, eyebrows
like miniature arches of brown velvet,
full,rcd lips, and skin delicately tint
ed as the heart of conch shell, Rosa
mond Villars would have made love-
" model for some dimpled, dark-eyed
Hebe. Old NJ. Piret was an artist in
his way, despite his sixty odd years,
and saw all this as he stroked down
his pupils wavy hair with tender
touch. A
my child, my child,'' he said, II
don't know what is the matter. Tell
the old father Confide in me, petite,
for had news for thee when our lessons
should be complete. "
..You have heard from Cecil, thenP"
Rosamond's 81 face lighted up through
her tears. "But, OIL it is thinking of
him that makes me SO miserable!''
my faith! that is strange. But still
you have not told me. Go on. What
is the grief that brings the diamond
drops into your eyesp"
''Its because we are so poor" sighed
Rosamond. ''And they can't wait,
papa and mamma, until get that situ-
atomic sing in st. Marcella'sa choir to
earn little money. The rent is due.
and the landlord has been twicei Obi
If you only knew what hard, insult
ing man he is. And there are SO many
debts petty. gnawing, gripping debts
land papa says that it's my fault that
he has to wear shabby coat and do
without the glass OF claret at his din
ner and the expensive cigar; and poor
mamma says nothing. but she cries and
looks wan and heart broken. Oh! what
can do? What ought do? wish
know SOMEONE to advise me rightly. -
."But only wait, my child, - said the
old man. oddly wrinkling his brows in
to the shape Of q letter T. How is
it Jour iault that they are poorpn
Because of Mr.. Richardson, who
wants 10 marry me, confessed Rosa
mond, culoring and shrinking involun-
tariiy. '.Hu Is rich. but he is old-oh,
nearly rs old as you arc, NJ. Piret
Aud his hair is grlzzlcd. and his teeth
are 50 whilc anu even that / know they
are mol real. But lie lives in great
house, and says be will provide for papa
and mamma aud all ii only viii be
bis wife! Is it not strange he should
want me, when there are so many 9TH
ers. nearer his own age, who would Be
glad 10 accept him?''
"But. petite. you are engaged to my
son. Cecil. who has gone to the gold
fields of Australia to toll for your"
Rosamond's color deepened, her lash-
es dropped. as she played nervously
with the little jet cross that hung at
her throat
They think / ought to break my
engagement, M. Piret. They think
Cecil will never rcturn-or, If at all.
not for years. They say ought not
to wait for his uncertain fortunes
NJ Piret looked keeuly at her
And what do You think. Rose-of-
the-Worldg asked he. For. after
all. it is your decision which is to set
tie this matterl'
..Oh. NJ. Piret, faltercd the poor
girl, s.what am to do? It Is hard 10
see those / love sniIer, when one word
spoken by me would lift the iron grip
Of poverty from their hearts and lives.
Papa says am selfish even 70 hesitate
. minute. On. NJ. Piret. do help me-
do counsel mel
IL might be selfish, said the old
man, slowly, and still scanning her
mobile features; ssit might be selfish.
R0samond, If il was yonr own hAppi-
ness alone that hung il the scale But
there Is another person who II vitality
and nearly concerned~my son Cecil!"
R0samonu wrung her hands, while
the sparkling tears coursed down her
cheeks in torrents.
..It is 50 hardr' she cried. passion
ateIy.
Yet. said NJ Piret. II would nos
attempt through any feeble eloquencs
Of mime to bias your decision II your
own heart does aof direct yon Alright