The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1888-10-06
Lost Lima,
THE BITTER AND THE SWEET.
A Tale Of Two Continents.
BY MRS. NINA LAWSON.
CHAPTER IX-TCoNTISURp.
or

CHAPTER lA-tCoNTINUEDl
Il did not know you were my friend.
thought you wanted them to keep me
here when l do not want to stay. 1
would SO much rather be dead than
kept prisoner as l am"
My dear little friend, / do not wish
you to be prisoner here, neither have
| anything to say as to your being set
free.
Il have nothing to do with the matter,
and, as 1t seems, am only here to try
and make it as pleasant for you as pos
sible. l have not forgotten our first
meeting, and since then have been de-
sirous to be your acknowledged friend.
Il am not hired to keep you prisoner,
or set you free. l only freely offer you
my friendship, and will try to make the
lonely house as pleasant for you as 1
can"
Gertana's mother was a noble, true
lady, and her daughter inherited some
of her womanly nature. Lenora's quick
eye soon saw that Gertana was not try
ing to deceive her, and such JOY as was
friend so near in her hour of need.
She sprang from the easy chair in
which she was sitting, and clasped her
little soft arms about Gertana's neck.
"Oh, Madam Girindani, | am so glad
you are my friend; heaven has answered
| my prayer" She still chung lovingly to
the kind woman's neck, and sobbed as if
her heart would break with Joy.
Thank you, my fair little friend. l
| am pleased that you accept my friend
ship, and l shall gladly do for you all
that lies within my power"
you are woman, Madam Girindani,
| and know much more of this wicked
world than | do; perhaps you can teach
me something. would gladly be your
pupil"
Eyes, no doubt, under your present
circumstances, you care for the knowl-
edge of which you speak, but you are
much happier in your purity, and with
out that knowledge of this world. l
speak from experience when / tell you
this, for | once was as you are now,
| pure, and ignorant of the sins of this
world"
Well, / will say no more about the
matter at present, for see you seem
sad And now that / have friend so
near, / am going to try and get we'll,
that may enjoy life little"
II am very glad that you are recov
ering so rapidly, and, while you were
sick, I tried to do all L could in my
small way and power. / will now go
to my room, for l See you look little
| weary"
Come again come in often, for am
SO glad that you are my friend
Gertana then left the sick chamber,
and did not return that day She
was content that her plan of right and
| justice had so far succeeded. Lenora's
surprise and joy at having friend so
near somewhat overcame her weak
body, for she soon fell asleep and did
not awake until late the next morning
That long peaceful sleep seemed to
work miracles upon the pale little
prisoner, for the next morning she
looked like a fair blooming rose.
That pale, delicate look that made
| her very beautiful, but not SO attrac-
tive, left her in that long unbroken
sleep.
In a few days she asked her nurse if
she might go down to dinner with her
friend. Of course, her every wish was
| obeyed, and she appeared in the dining
| hall in deep pink cashmere, trimmed
| with loops of ribbon.
How lovely and delicate she looked
in the suit, just like the first rose of
the spring, almost afraid to venture
from its warm, snug nest, for fear that
lingering chilly breeze may nip its
delicate leaves.
Lenora was not afraid of that chilly
breeze, but of still worse fate, of
look or word from the man who
had so cruelty wronged her.
Since she had tried to escape, but
had been recaptured by her perse-
crtor, she felt more afraid of him, If
possible, than ever.
What shall 10 if he is III the din
| iag-Atll? Oh, oh, I do so fear him,
| do so hate him! But | will be brave,
| and he dare not hurt me. | shall not
! paw any attention to what he saws, and
| now that / have friend so near |
need not be quite so afraid of him
TO the JOY and satisfaction of that
| little fair prisoner, Noll did not APP
pear at all that evening. He had
| be III telegraphed for by one of his re-
there as quickly as possible.
The two ladies enjoyed the dinner
| 10y themselves, and not one word was
said about Sylvester
They sat up late that night and told
leasing stories and sang sweet songs
together
Lenora accidentally saw the picture
of herself resting on the easel in the
conner
She started slightly, a look of sur
prise res ing on her handsome, flushed
face.
Sertana noticed her surprise, and
asked her if she had not seen that be-
fore.
Yes; no. Gertana, do not under
stand how that-that came here"
Well, Lenora, it is a very pretty
picture. | am-well, well, as sure
~ the stars, this is yourself. How
pretty you look in that little pink dress
among the flowers"
But how did it get here, and who
painted 1t? That is what puzzles me-
Il do not know positively who did
the work, but the master of this house
! fine artist and no doubt he could
acc1unt for II.
j shadow of fear and distrust fitted
"cross Lenora face, but she said moth
ing.
The two sat in the parlor some time
after the discovery, and Lenora told
how happy she had been in her dear
cid home, III the quiet valley at Jones
borough, and how in the springti1ne
she would gather flowers in the woods,
also how cruelty she had been stolen
away from all this that she SO dearly
loved
The little French clock on tie man
tel Just above their heads struck twelve.
which quickly sent them both to their
lJoms.
Lenora vas soon lost in sweet sleeu.
bat Gertana was restless. and sleep
would not come to her weary, burning
eJ -.