The National tribune., 1890-04-17
TRIBUNE: THURSDAY

As q shipwrecked sailor halls joyously an
advancing sail, so did the downhearted Abigail
view this unexpected feminine presence. Here,
she instiuctvcy felt she could obtain tho i'm
formation desired and that too without ex-
posing herself to the rude comments of un-
sympathetic male critics.
She halted cleared her throat; spoke.
May ask you question ;"
The brawny woman gave start of surprise,
then answered, every syllable heavy with the
brorue:
L" Av coorse; whut's TO hender?"
Though hardly encouraged by this reply,
Abigail drew nearer.
" DO you know gentleman named Chap
mani ;" she asked, in Galtering voice.
"Chupmun, is itP" replied the woman, in n
louder tone than was desirable or necessary.
" is ut Wullurd Chupmuu you're manin'2"
Yes" whispered Abigail willard Chap
man. DO you know him2" She drew still
nearer now, and again whispered: Please
don't speak so loud"
Il know Wullurd Chupmuu, becase olive
sane 'um here a-boordin' at the 'otel. Is ut
Wuilurd Chupmun you're manin'2"
Abigail looked at her in surprise. Close in
spection followed, when bleared eyes and
strong breath revealed an unpleasant truth to
the amateur detective-the Hibernian woman
had been drinking
This was n discouraging but not an alto.
gether repelling circumstance. At all events,
Abigail resolved to push her inquiries further.
. is Mr.. Chapman here now2"
No." answered the other " he left this two
nights ago ia the midnight bus for Stockton"
80 he was gone. Well that was all right, so
far. She would surely have d letter from him
in the morning
"Oh. did hep" she exclaimed. "Was he
welI2" she asked, timidly.
Woll is it2 First rate. An LOVELY rs n
crucket. Come down THUR stairs singing like
an angel. 'Tus himself
HAS THE LOVELY v'TCE!"
Yes, indeed, he had thought Abigail. Who
knew Of and appreciated his lovely voice
more than herself? Still il struck her as rather
strange that he should be singing aloud in a
public hotel just after he had received that
important letter from her. with its depressing
news. But there. now! Clara had never de-
livered it-neglectfui little Puss She had gone
of, as her father had said, on iunkct. and for
gotten all about the errand she was sent on. She
deserved a sound punishment; but not to he
turned out Of house and home-no, that was
too severe!
I'm glad he was well and IN good spirits"
remarked Abigail. smiling. She was half in
clined To make a confidant of the rough Irish
woman, and tell her Of her engagement to
Willard. She seemed a Eoodhearted soul, in
spite Of her slightly bemnsed condition.
Twas gloomy enough he was, thurin' the
sfthernoon, but he got jolly as a sandboy whin
his sister COON fer nm"
His sister! Abigail had never heard of Will
lard's having a sister.
His sister," she repeated, 81 didn't know
he had a sister-that is-hem! i'm Thcbes. What
sort of looking person was she's An old lady?"
OVID Is ut?" The Hibernan woman al
most shriekcd. "Owld-niyer whuff! IT'S
young she is. and purity as they make uml A h.
twas herself the beauty! Wid iaythurs like an
angel from heaven, aud bne eyes. aud rid
cheeks and the swate clothes oil her. toO--a
gray mcrTjny. thrimmrd wid velvet an big
black lace hat clapt to the soidc av her sassy
little head aud proud her brother was of her.
too Cara says he, came up 10 the soide ay
me Ia the bus, au' up she climb"
But Abigail heard her not. She had sunk to
the floor, unconscious.