Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1886-08-25

But it didn't last long. Old Mande-
vile, their grandfather, had got involv-
ed in speculations, and when he shot
himself it was no more than people
expected"
"And how do they support them
selves?''
"Oh, l don't know. 1 suppose they
60 out governessing, or take in sew
ing or do something. Somehow people
always do get provided for in this
world.''
''Then you don't visit them?''
Mrs. Fontenel lifted her brOws.
"Quite impossible, she said. ''They
were selling bouquets out of the green
houses until the place was foreclosed.
Fancy selling bouquets out of ones own
greenhouses for living! And Cassie
has gone somewhere to learn steno-
graphy, and Kate goes around in
calico dresses, exactly like servant
girl!'
Florian smiled to himself.
''She is better posted as to these two
girls than she is willing TO admit, y
thought he.
And the next morning he walked
over the old stone bridge, and out
across the fields to the old house which
Leonidas Vaudeville had died in.
The upper blinds were all as care
fully closed and bolted as if the old
man 8 corpse still lay in the echoing
rooms; but the basement windows
were thrown open to admit the fresh
October air, and a round, dark face,
brilliant as that of Spanish Senorita,
appeared at the door, to answer his
knock.
us it the man for the ounce jelly"
said she. ut is not ready yet. told
you to come this evening"
Il am very fond of ounce jelly?"
said Florian Fontenel, gravely, ''but 1
fear l am not the excellent individual
whom you are expecting. Don't you
remember ME, Miss Kate?''
ut is Mr.. Fontenel," said Kate
Vaudeville, the crimson color mount
ing to her cheek.
"Exactly," said Florian. MAY Mr..
OQLonel come ID!
Miss Vaudeville hesitated second,
then opened the door with composed
smile.
eyes, walk in," said she, land see
how industrious am. lam working
woman now. do up preserves, pick
les, canned fruit and jellies. 1t isn't
such unpleasant work, except when the
weather is warm, and am very liber-
ally paid for it. Cassie is a worker,
too. She is member of a steno-
graphic class, and is to get twelve dol
lars a week when she graduates.
Kate had spoken all these sentences
with a careless grace, which would
lead an Indifferent auditor to infer that
it was all a matter of course. But
Florian Fontenel knew her we'll enough
to read the true kew to her nature. He
understood how painful it was for her
thus tacitly to acknowledge the blight
which had passed over her fortunes
since last thoy met.
II see," he said quietly. 'things are
changed, Miss Vaudeville, since gave
you that sprig of sweet verbena in Mrs.
Lyttell's conservatory that winter
night. You were belle then-the star
of the evening. People spoke Of you
as the beautiful Miss Vaudeville. :"
Ibid they p
land told myself" Florian added,
''that it was useless to hope to win the
love of one so courted and battered.
That had no sort of chance. That it
was st for me to withdraw from the
lists before l had got my poor wings.
moth-fashion, hopelessly SCARED and
scanned"
''Ihat was so like man, said Kate,
with rising color. ''You constituted
yourself Judge, jury and executioner
all in one. viii you be good enough
to step little aside? l have to pack
these glasses carefully into box, and
'Pardon me-" said Fontenel, with
out stirring the tenth part of an inch.
Just q minute more. Well, ] left
Boston, and went abroad. The next
winter, when returned, other stars
we're shining upon the fashionable
horizon. My planet was gone. l am
q proud man by nature, and l said to
myself that if Miss Vaudeville had
cared for me she would have signitied
to be, by some sign. however slight,
thai she was still in existence. She
did not.'
.You can see why, said Kate, with
heightened COLOR II have received
too many rebuffs from the dear, partic-
ular friends of old days to encourage
me to risk any new dangers. But, "
with dropping eyelashes, Il have got
the sprig of sweet verbena hidden away
in my portfolio yet. 1 don't often get
time to look at it, but it is always there
to think Of? Now may I 60 on with
the jelly?"
"Not quite YETI said Fontenel,
with a gravity that was truly laudable.
Miss Vaudeville, if 1 had followed;
out the first instincts of my heart the
night gave you the sweet verbena-l
- e. $ $ . ~ II