Evening journal., 1891-06-20


of cheese, pot of preserves. breast Of
smoked goose and some salted cucumbers.
II got samovar, but 1t was too heavy
for me TO carry. The man l bought il OF
will bring it here at once. 1t Is second
hand, but as good as new. see you have
teapot. My only two eKtravagances were
some good soap and pound OF the best
tea Come, let US eat | can arrange any
thing am TO wait on you"
In day learned to love that woman.
All the naughty, proud manner WA gone.
She waited on me. She was up first IN the
morning. She was always busy. The por-
ter OF the house evidently misto0k her for
one OF the two girls who had been in the
employ Of the sewing machine company
for one or the other OF them had often been
In my room. Some small extra compensa
tion was given him for the new lodger
She never spoke save in English and her
coming to me had been so mysterious that
l felt quite certain the porter wis entirely
ignorant Of her condition.
Certainly it worried me a great deal
More than once / ventured to ask for an
explanation, but Eliza would place her
hand on my mouth so that my speech was
interrupted. II distressed me to see how
hard she worked, for felt sure that this
new life was hurting her. ! could see that
from her pallor. II anything more than
another made me feel sorry il was for her
beautiful hands. She seemed TO take In.
finite pains in spelling them.
'They are filthy, horrible" she would
say, "and still think care for them more
than should II could only get thick,
red, rough skin on theml"
AS she said. the owner OF the shop was
only too glad 70 sell me a machine Eliza
furnished the money. Work came TO us in
a mysterious way-left down stairs with
the porter
My companion, save for daily purchases
made IN the immediate neighborhood for
food, never went out No one called on
her; she never received letter A few
days over the month had passed, when one
morning, as | was running up q seam in a
piece Of cloth, my needle struck something.
IL was a piece of piper.
1T is for me, Sister Mary" said Eliza
She took the bit Of paper. held it TO the
stove, appeared to read something, and
then opened the stove door and burned It.
l did not question her She worked on
cheerfully all day, chatting on different
subjects
That night, when we were In bed, taking
me in her arms. she said: poor Mary,
your troubles, your anxieties, are now
over. Tomorrow, early, apply for your
passport. 1t will cost you TO go from here
TO London, say thirty pounds. / wish it
could have been more, but you will have
altogether $500, which, after deducting
your travelling expenses, will leave you
some money to begin your life with again.
For me-who have learned TO love a singu-
larly honest and simple minded woman
you shall have this ring" and she slipped
ON my finger a ring; "but don't wear IL;
the diamond might betray me. So far,
Mary, you have run no risk; but next
wees yon mi-ht be ruined forever, for you
have harboredn---
was speechless with terror.
"Only woman" she continued, "whose
own life-or the life Of any one else who
stood In her way--she would care no more
Of taking than a cook would Of wringng
chickens neck. Do not be shocked, Mary.
/ shall sleep as sweetly tonight as II death
did not threaten me Ny story, rs far as
relates to you, Is soon told. 1t became
necessary for me a month ago to disappear.
The simplest chance in the world threw
you in my way. Had you been OF any
other nationality than English | would
never have trusted you. You might 20
out, Mary, and sell me, Judas-like, for a
sum OF money that would make you rich
for lifeH
clung oonvulsively to her and bade her
be quiet.
Through my veins, child, there runs
the best blood in Russia, but every drop Of
it / will shed for the cause. Thank
heaven for your lowly estate. You must
20 away tomorrow, and now good night"
begged her TO come to England with
me- She said;
mo; my place is here. should be use
less there"
Then she complained OF lassitude, and
presently went to sleep. | looked at her,
her face pillowed on her arm, breathing as
calmly as an infant, and thought her the
loveliest woman had ever seen.
Next morning, out Of package of some
rough material, she produced. as II by
magic, a roll of notes which. without
counting, she handed TO me.
Later in the day there ought TO arrive
some furs for me, for poor Mary must not
get cold. Now away with you"
Her old manner had returned.
Get your passport. Go by Bremen 70
England, or the ice will delay you. DO not
waith
Still wae irresolute / could not bear
TO leave her. She knelt to me and i'm.
plored me to 90. AT last consented,
Ny passport was given TO me at police
headquarters without a word.
''Is il all rightw she asked very quietly.
"See, your furs have come They are very
beautiful and so warm.H
II have permission to leave"
''Thank Godi See my work. l think
could do now without you"
"You do not love me, Eliza" cried.
mot love you-my sisterl ! loved my
/ husband-he WAS shot. / loved my only
child in the agony Of my grief-becaus'
| Ais father was killed-he sucked poison
from my breast and died. After them
love you best"
Then for the first time she burst into
/ paroxysm Of tears.
1T Is because love you-that nigh
be your DEATH"
AS she wrung my hand she felt the rinl
on my finger.
"Oh with IL. You wore your mittens a
the police ofiicel Ifthey had seen iti Quick
let me hide itp'
She took of my shoe and hid the ring ii
my stocking
"Should you ever marry, sell the ring o
the stone in II, and you will not be portion
less. Now of with you. have made
bundle for you. The rest OF your thing
you will give me. Here is a photograph q
youEs-you will let me keep ityn
She took me by the hand, gave me on
long kiss, closed the door on me, aud
never saw her more.
My trip home was without a single IN
cident. NV dear mother eomforted m,
. | Still there was some yague feeling of dreat