New Ulm weekly review. [volume] (New Ulm, Minn.) 1878-1892, 1886-01-20

pleasure. The hair was the deep
brown that had CLEANS of ruddier col
or, and her eyes were clear and honest,
and regarded one with a steady and
fearless glance. She turned her head
as Dick entered, and took him in COM
pletely, as he fancied, in about
a second. There was nothing I'M
pertinent in her scrutiny, but
much that was painful to a man
whose inner life had never been intend
ed to bear investigation. Insight into
character is all very well for the peo-
pie who have the insight, but it is
sometimes trying to the unlucky char
acter; and so Dick felt as rather de-
family he met Iris Enderby's glance.
"She Thinks" he said inwardly,
chat | am one OF the people it will
not do to encourage" The girl had
formulated no opinion so distinctly;
but yet his guess was not far from
the truth. For there was no denying
that Dick, with his battered costume,
his rather dingy hands, and the reck-
less, deyil-may expression on a
face grown coarse that had once been
handsome, looked a disreputable
character, with whom refined girl
could have nothing in common.
Therefore Iris withdrew her eyes with
calm indifference, and went on meas
uring some medicinal compound.
Her face, with the indescribable air
of fearless innocence about it that
some faces will wear to heend, awoke
in Dick a. novel sense of emharrass-
| ment. He hesitated, bat the desire
to speak to her was too strong, and
he crossed over to the invalid's side.
"Can be of any use?o he asked
politely.
"No, thank you" said thegirl a trihe
coldly; ther voice was very pleasant
and musical. "Mrs. Hartley will be
here presently She turned a pass
ing glance on him as she spoke, dis
trustful and yet Indifferent. Evident
ly not the kind of girl to whom any
one would offer impertinence in cold
blood. But Dick paid 20 heed to the
restraint; he spoke again, warming to
the old manner.
81 have brought him some wine" he
said, in g. careless undertone, dis
burthening his hands as he spoke. 81
thought it would be needed, and they
have very little money. You see I
have lodged here now for two years;
and am sorry he has broken down.
There is no hope. | SUPPOSED" he
added, in @ yet more guarded voice,
though the patient was sleeping heav-
lily.
Thegirl turned again, and looked him
full in the face He fancied
he could trace in her eyes some
regret for having Judged him too
harshly, and her voice was more
cordial, though in all her intonations
when she spoke to him, then and at
forward, he thought there was sus-
picion Of disdain. He never blamed
her, and he knew instinctively that if
his old social standing had still been
his, that element in her voice would
have been rather more pronounced.
''There is very little hope, l am
afraid she said gravely. Has Mrs.
Hartley any friends vino can help her?
The doctor said he would require con
slant care"
"She has been earningfor them both
for some time" said Dick, "and her
hands are full already. I do not
think she has any friends who are like
ly to be Of any use. If ever you are
in need OF a helping hand l hope you
will rely upon me. | can easily sit up
with him nights and never feel it,
And indeed, he looked as if he were
SO used to sitting up all night that few
additional times would make no diff
ference to him.
'Thank you," said Iris, and was
silent again. The real or imagined
hauteur in her voice annoyed Dick un-
accountably.
"Unless you are too fastidious," he
said, in a sudden tone of bitterness
that astounded himself, ''to take help
at the hands of poor .blackguard like
me-"
Thegirl looked at him, with a strange
blending Of compassion and repug-
nance in her eyes.
"You could have been agentleman il
you had wished" she said calmly. eli
you are what you choose to be, why
blame me for taking you at your own
valuation"
There was something terribly true
and relentless about her words, and
Dick WINGED under them as the most
violent reproaches had ceased to make
| him vince
s'Thank you," he said. "You show
me what have to expect from people
of a higher moral standard. And yet
what right have you to assume that
am worthless?"
"Itis your own epithet, 'shereturned
TRANQUILITY. "But-forgiye me-to 8
certain extent men write their charac
tiers in theirtaces.
Dick nearly swore heavy oath
but he checked himself just in time
and spoke in tones Of exceeding
suavity.
"What excellent discrimination yor
have! Then you have ascertainec
that my character is too far gone te
allow of my associating with you, te
however small an extent, in a work o
mercy"
A half smile broke over the girls
face, faint and transient, and yet il
lit up the whole countenance ane
softened it's youthful austerity.