Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1890-05-22

"You are too romantic" (" said Amina,
Mrs. Merriweather turned her face upon
her.
"Whnt did you say, Amina ~
81 said you were too romantic, !" re.
peated Amina, with almost sullen de-
liberation.
Amina was the daughter of defunct
italian tiddler--a wild-cyed, /, erratic
dreamer, who had driftcd to these shores
and for few years kept the red-eyed
hunger-wolf from the door by playing in
the orchestra of the opera. There was
nothing that Amina did not owe to Mrs.
Merriweather. 1t was the rich widow
who had gathered her in and given her a
home
Mrs Merriweather stood before her and
in the abrupt arresting of her movements
all the tinkling bangles ON her wrists
gave tongue. Mrs. Merriweather was
fond of bangles and pendants and tink-
ling cymbals. She looked very stately
in her dignified pose and scarcely more
than thirty-fve.
1t seems to me, "she eaunciated, with
disarming gentleness, "that l hardly
merit abuse at your hands, Amina."
Amina saw through her protectress as
though she had been glass. But what
had that to do with it2 She felt con-
victed of felonious ingratitude.
She suddenly flung herself ont of her
chair and down on the floor at Mrs. Mer-
riweather's knees. She kissed the
rustling, be-jetted gown fiercely.
sob, don't mind what | say. I'm
wretch You've been an angel to me and
I'm unworthy as any viperw
Mrs. Merriweather smiled benignly.
Such scenes were not new. Upon tlse
whole, it was not unpleasant to have this
half-indignant, half-protecting austerity
close to one. 1t made one feel young
almost girlishl And the alterations of
passionate, adoring fealty were pleasant
also. They gave color to daily life.
Mrs. Merriweather's smile curved into
a youthful archness.
"You love me so much and yet you
don't seem to think that others could
love me-
Amina was on her feet again, serious
and almost sullen, as before.
.sMr. Pallatine ia young. I don't
think he is more than thirty" she said.
This, indeed, was venturing mush.
Mrs. Merriweather drew herself up
again, and this time there was no doubt
about the steely point in her eyes.
"Mr. Pallatine is poor and gentle
man. That means that he has tastes
which he cannot satisfy. To 90 about
giving readings gifted and fastidious as
he s--cannot be wholly agreeable"
81 should think it might be more
agreeable than being patronized by fine
ladies, " supplemented Amina
Decidedly said Mrs. Merriweather,
sweeping from the room, "you forget
yourself to-day"
Amina sat down by the window with |
her hands in her lap. A wretch! Of
course she was a wretch! Why had she |
not been left to starve by the stark body
of her dead father in that bare room long
ago?
That evening Egbert Pallatine, read !
ing "Ulf in Ireland, I" Mt Mrs. Van Hook
er's reception, was conscious of Mrs.
Merriweather's fascinated eyes hanging
on his face.
One hour later, when the recitations
were over and some music to which peo.
pie had listened with patient resigna-
tion had been performed, he found him
self in the midst Of push for the sup
per room, close to the widows perfumed |
pink brocade and elaborate blond head.
He offered his arm and Mrs. Merri-
weather rustled along beside him. show
ing all her wholesome white teeth and /
chattering graciously.
II am desperately hungry" she de-
clared, ''and when you have attended to
me in that way you will have to attend
10 me in another way also. This affair
tonight has given me an idea. :"
Pallatine wheeled ratherwearily. When
be had returned with some salad and
fricasseed oysters and croquettes and sand
wiches on q plate, and stood before the
widow, she proceeded.
81 shall have some tableaux at my
mouse. And they shall be described, as
L were, by recitations. You will do the
,ecitations and you will give me the
benefit Of your ideas as you think could