The National tribune., 1890-04-24
- sc -, =,

Thinking myself the only person foolhardy
enough 10 start ont during such storm,
was about 10 light cigar and settle down 10
the hours delay, when / saw in the dimmest
corner Of the waiting room another traveller
woman at that and apparently alone.
] had scarcely observed her until she rose,
approached me- and asked eagerly;
Is the Fargo train M Z"
ado you mean coming mp or going down :,
why, going down, of course" she replied
petulantly.
looked at her closely. She was mere girl,
but her face had strange, unglriish express
sion. She was neatly dressed IN a dark wool
gown. but was wrapped only in little scarlet
shawl. wholly insufficient FOR such night and
for travelling abroad ON her head she wore a
little knitted capof red wool that was very be,
cOmiRg 10 her dark face, with Its wonderful
flashing eyes.
] explained to her that my train for Bismarck
would not be in for an hour and that she Womb
have 10 wait still another hour.
"Oh, dear she said, and she clasped her
slender hands in a deSpairing sort OF way.
"Nhat is it?" asked. Can ! do anything
for you?"
"Y0u2 oh. no; no one can do that F."
looked az her sharply. and she continued :
III you viii promise not 10 bctray me to
them ] viii tell you all. / have run away
they were starving me. ! am on my way 10
New York"
concluded the little woman was either in
sane or the victim Of some unkindness, aud,
man like. was eager 10 help her.
Sit here beside me- T" she added I'VE arc
alone. and will tell you all about il. You
must not interrupt me, or ! will forget"
But" demanded, have you 10 relatives
or friends2"
Neither" she replied YEARLY, NOR have
home or any money; but am an artist, aud
car earn money in New York"
] looked az this strange little wanderer
thought Of her beautiful face. her peHuiless
condition, aud, If she succeeded ia making the
Journey, Of her fate in that merciless city.
You do not believe me-" she said sharply
shut let me tell you how it comes that ! AN
here alone and that / take so long journey
without telling them. You have an hour K
wait. aud cannot sit here ia silence. lt re
lieves me 20 talk"
go on" / replied quietly, land tell m'
about yourself Il may DC that can help you
IL know more of you"
She laughed at this, hut it was terribly
harsh laugh % issue from such giElish lips.
e Well, theu." began my queer little com
pani0n. i must tell you that was an adopted
child. and knew nothing Of my parents until
was seventeen. bly, fosteT-mofher WAS young
Fich and beautiful widow She had one son
aud ] grew up under her care and IN his CON
pauioushin. with the rights of a daughter ant
y
my senior. and aIoTied in his beauty even
more than did bis mother. aud as tie year
went on / almost cfiaccd myself in worship o
him We we're called brother and sister, anC
vet a careless smile FROM him, pat on tht
cheek a mock kiss on the fHger-tips, wOul'
make Inc frembe with delight. Life wa
Only a bright dream 10 me for II years; bu
a. dreams eBd.
zone bright Summer morning while w
three fingered over the breakfast aud oui
morning mail. mamma opened aud read 10 US
letter fr0m England. Il was from an old fricui
who. having MARI ed an English aristOcrat an,
settled finally into English ideas, yet adde'
playfully Il the close Of her letter: Ny Allie
declares Aerself to be an American at heart, $
tell her ] VIII have 20 ask you 10 send u
your handsome Carl; for If he is all bis m0the
says I would not he 50 lOzth 10 let her 90 bacl
20 my native land
Il was this light3y-written sentence tia
made a woman Of the child. aud sent me fr0I
the room blinded with jealousy and fear.
Mamma had not seen H. but arl noted ]
all and 10 minutes later a. ] sat Ia tho Oh
Summer house, my face buried ia my hand
] feil his arms about me, his kisses on my hal
and heard him murmur,
80 love you. only you, foolish Elf. I'll has
no other love or wife. Sister no more, br
sweetheart forever. Look up, aud teIi me 20
are mine
"Ah. sir you know the odor Of June rose
the blue Of june sky, but there was ney6
morning iike this.
An hour later. hand and hand, happy an
laughing, like children, foOlsiily confident. =
FeHt directly 10 mamma, confessed our Low
and waited Tor her glad consent.
As she listened. The change ia her face W.
Dreadful. She raised her hand, stopping OF