Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1886-03-13
such a painful throb; he could scarcely be

such a painful throb; he could scarcely be-
lieve his own eyes.
His earnest gaze seemed to discompose
her, for size dropped faded old umbrella
in the mud, whereupon he rushed forward.
picked il up and handed it to her. She
took it without word of thanks. scoxI
being all she gave him. Then she hurried
away, leaving him in panied bewilderment.
He could only repeat over and over again.
Her smile was very sweet"
"A bad un, sir" said a policeman who
had been watching this little scene. "a
regular bad un." He winked in the direc-
ton of the retreating woman.
But Bond was already out of ear-shot,
hurryiDg after her in obedience to an ire
sistible impulse to offer her all he had.
yearning to tell his love and acquire the
right to protect her. Though his ideal was
little more than memory, the woman re-
manned and in his eyes. she was still beau
tiful. With her by his side lie cared not
what the world said. Never had his love
been stronger than il was at this moment.
But though he dived down one obscure
street after another he could not find her.
And at length, murmuring to himself,
All, yes. her smile wss very SWEET he
YEARLY dragged himself back to his lods-
| ings
Once again, and for the last time. he saw
her. 1t was on the following afternoon.
He was sitting at the open window, alb
sently caressing the cat upon his lap, when
| she happened to pass by on the opposite
| side OF the street. Looking up at the win
! dow she suddenly stopped and stared. Be-
fore he had recovered from his surprise she
| stretched out her arms and cried
Oh, my pussiei Nell, Nell, won't you
come TO me?''
The cat sprang through the window and
crossed the street in less time than it takes
to write the words. There could scarcely
be doubt about the ownership. The ami
NAL with arched back and Strengthened
tan, was delightedly rubbing itself against
| her shabby dress, and she was bending down
talking to it as if it were her child.
Bond was not slow to grasp the situation.
He rose hastily to explain the circum-
stances under which he had bought the cat
from lad, whom he had believed to be the
] rlghtful owner. He was trembling IN every
| limb, for had not his opportunity come at
last, as some one has said it always will
come to the man who waits? Blundering
down the stairs he whispered to himself:
Even the cat loves her and she loves it.
! knew she was good and pure and lovely"
! " | must apologize" he began, advancing
awkwardly, /" Miss Miss
Mrs. Travers," she said, rather def
antly.
+" Mrs. he gasped, staggering back. Then
she was married woman This thought
affected him even more painfully than the
one that followed it. SOME time before he
had read in the paper ascharge of swindling
brought against Mrs Travers, described
as member Of gang of fashionable shar-
pers. Then You are widow" he cried
with startling energy. Oh, in PHYS sake,
| say you are n widow ~
She laughed .scornfully. Pointing to a
seedy-looking individual who was ap-
| preaching, she said
Here comes my husband Now, pray,
what have you to say against me2 Just say
1t right out before him, if you dare
Poor Bond SUNK away to his darkened
room. His dream was over; his life was
spent He relapsed into his old book-worm
habits, wore clothes as ancient as ever, and
to the despair of his landlady. renewed his
edict against busting The life had gone
out of him, and, three years after, strangers
carried him 10 his rest in Kensal Green. his
landlady The only mourner A plain tomb
stone marks the spot where he sleeps,
dreaming, perhaps, some happier dream,
with loftier ideal, which the world can
never tarnish nor can time destroy Tenn
| pie Bar.