Wichita eagle., 1888-08-14
THE TIDE LANDS.

Hiss Vander2ool cana down the steps OF
her lodging house. and stood looking about
her with an expression Of discomfort on her
high bred face. It was not very gentesl
lodging house, and it YVES not in very gen.
teel quarter. The paint was of in patches,
| and one Of the faded green blinds hung on
single hinge. The steps were worn, and the
little front area YVES used as a depository for
wood and coal. There were pair of dirty
faces at the basement windows, and outside
of the door Sairy Ann, the Gorgeous eldest,
watched her depart with undisgu used curl
osity. Possibly she knew that Hiss Wander
pools rent for her single room, third story,
in the rear, was week overdue. She might
have been stationed there as a spy by the
Gorgon, her mother, to see that no recreant
| ledger contrived to slip off, bag and bag
gage, without a formal parting. She need
not give herself any concern Oh Miss Van
derpool'S account, that lady reflected. Her
piano the only article of value among her
possessions, was much too crIrnbrous TO carry,
and it was r1ortgaged up to its full value
Why was it that people never exhibited any
conscience or honor about their music teach
er's bills, as they did about their butchers
and washerwomen's Why was it that she,
respected and admired as the rich Miss Van
! derpool. cculd find no market for her accom-
| plishnlents, ROW that she must earn her daily
breads Why cid every one take advantage
of her and cheat her, down to the pawn
| broker, who had lately taken the last piece
of jewelry saved from her financial wrecks
She was faint and hungry, and a gnawing
pain that was new t. her reminded her that
she had lived On bread and water for six
weeks, and that she had been on short ra-
tons for the last few days If she had been
soldier now, she could have witbstood it
/ right valorous!F. for there was martial blood
| in her veins. But to suffer it for no heroic
reason in nothing but the common way! The
| thought humiliated her, and she put it aside.
She was walking down the street, lined
with low cottages, when she stopped before
one OF the poorest ard rneanest, where
stunted lilac, just budding in the front yard
gave evidence Of some little refinement on
/ the part of the occupants. But it was not
this that attracted Miss Vanderpoors atten-
ton. Floating from the door knob she be-
held a little piece of thin, white Grape tied
with narrow ribbon, the wan banner of sor-
row. This was the cottage where the two
! little girls had looked out upon her with
2
Only yesterday they had flung her kisses
from the window. Now one was gone. The
shock bore down upon her with all the sense
/ CT personal loss.
She pushed the gate open and went up the
steps. A woman opened the door and led
her to darkened room 1t was the custom
Of the neighborhood to give free admission to
visitors at such time. In a little white
coffin lay the younger Of the two children.
Beside it sat the father and mother, the wo-
nan sobbing quietly, the father with his ann
about her and in his lap the remaining Child,
who had cried herself TO sleep in his arms
II am SO sorry" said Miss Vanderpool,
gently; sis there anything can do."
The moment she spoke she regretted it.
Tho mother uncovered her face and looked
up piteously, then shrunk from the strange
visitor.
Nothing, nothing" she moa1ed, "unless
you could bring back my child"
'There, there, Emily" said the man, pat
ting her kindly; don't take on So It's hard
on all OF us. We've got to bear it together"
Miss Nanderpoofs eyes were wet as she
went silently out OF the room and closed the
door behind her 1t had been mistake, her
coming. They had plainly resented the in
trusion. Ii only she could have done some
thing for them, could have given them some
testimony OF her sympathy. To lose little
life that was part Of your very own must be
bard but doubly hard when poverty and
want are attendant upon sorrow. The room
had been SO bare. There was not flower
about the coffin. Miss Vanderpool had beea
accustomed to see grief smothered in cOstliest
offerings, and this little creature was going
to her last rest without so much as flower
in her little hands-the tiny hands that had
thrown kisses to her but yesterday.
She wished that she could get some flowers
for that dead baby It was April and there
were none in the city gardens, just recover
Ing from the shock of a severe eastern win
ter. She had no money to buy them from q
florist. Up IL the great house on the bluff
that had been her homo there was conser-
vatory, and in it there was a magnificent
climbing rose that she had planted herself,
years gone by, and nurtured into vigorous
growth. Out Of all the riches that she had
lost nt this moment she wished only 2n- one
of the large pointed buds. with its petals half
nnfolded, shut il little bower of green
leaves. But that was out of the question
Not oven for this sacred purpose could she
ask any favors from the people in the house
on the hill.
a little later and there would be plenty of
Wild flowers outside the town. The violetS
always came first. Nay; il was already the
last OF April, and with the soft wind blow
Ing and the clear sunshine OF the past two
weeks. the violet8 must 10 already out. She
quickened her steps as size thought. a little !
brook ran through the town and cut c nar-
row channel down the bluffs on its way to |
the sea Near the foot of the bluffs there /
was narrow bench of land stretching be- /
tween the hills and TIE tide lands, and there /
beside the brook she had gathered early /
spring violets since childhood IF she /
walked quickly, she could easily get there /
and back again before the night had closed /
down.
To reach tie place she had to pass through /
the business portion Of the town. Walking /
swiftly along, looking neither to the right .
nor LETT, she Ucs surprised 10 have soIe ono /
accost her.
miss Vanderpoo.r'
1t was john Ashton, whom She had not seen /
since the day that she found Ter fathers
name diShQnored and herself beggared and /
homeless. lie had asked her to be lis wife
end size had refused Was it becsuSe size lad
known him as poor boz. horn in the lowest
walks Of society, while the VanderpocIs had
inherited the wealth and high Standing Of
many generationsi Or was it because she
elected to bear her poverty and disgrace
eloaei She flushed low as size recognized
him.
lone minute" he said
''Not now. I cannot wait" she insisted,
and he stepped hack without word
What could he wish TO sec her fo-r She