Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-04-05

then by a courteous movement of the head
signified that Unorna should 60 out first
| Unorna appeared to hesitate, Beatrice to
protest Both women smiled little and
| Unorna, with a gesture of submission,
passed through the doorway. She had
managed it so well that it was almost im-
possible to avoid speaking as they threaded
the long corridors together. Unorna al
| lowed a moment to pass, as though to let
! her companion understand the slight awk-
| wardness of the situation, and then ad-
dressed her, in tone of quiet and natural
civility.
1--WE seem to be the only ladies in retreat" I"
she said
Yes" Beatrice answered. Even in that
one syllable something of the quality of her
thrilling voice vibrated for an instant.
They walked few steps farther in silence.
81 am not exactly in retreat" she said,
presently, either because she felt that 1t
would he almost rude 10 say nothing, or be-
cause she wished her position to be
clearly understood "I am waiting here
for some one who is to come for me"
at is a very quiet place to rest iE, said
Unorna. 81 am Iond of II"
"You often come here, perhaps.
mot now," said Unorna. But was
here for long time when was very young"
conversation, they began to walk more
slowly, side by side.
Indeed" said Beatrice, with slight in
crease of interest. "Then you were brought
up here by the nuns?'
Not exactly. 1t was sort of refuge for
me when l was almost child. l was left
here alone, until l was thought old enough
to take care of myself.
There was q little bitterness in her tone,
Intentional, but mastery in its truth to
nature.
LEFT by your parents?" Beatrice asked.
The question seemed almost inevitable.
81 had none. never knew father nor
a mother" Unorna's voice grew sad with
each syllable.
They had entered the great corridor in
which their apartments were situated, and
were approaching Beatrice's door. They
walked more and mora slowly, in silence
during the last few moments, alter Unorna
had spoken. Unorna sighed. The passing
breath, travelling on the air of the lonely
place, seemed both to invite and to offer
sympathy,
said, in very low tone, that was not quite
steady. II am all alone-here and in the
world"
She laid her hand upon the latch and her
deep black ewes rested upon Unorna's, as
thopph almost hut mot quite. eonyeying an
invitation hungry for buman comiort vet
foo nroud 70 ask II
81 am very lonely foo said Unorna.
"May sit with you for awhile?''
She had inst time to make the bold stroke
that was necessary. In another moment
she knew that Beatrice would have disap-
neored witbin Her heart heat violentiv
until tbe answer came She had heen snc-
cessfrI
Twill YOU. iudeed?" Beatrice exclaimed.
"I am moor eomnany. but 1 shall be verv
Glad If Won will come in.
She onened the door and Unorna entered
The anarrnent was almost eractIe Iite her
own in size and shane and fnrnit,ra brt !,
already had the air of beinc inb. bited
There were hooks unon the table and a
sonore level case and an old siIver frame
Containing a LARGE nbotouranh of a stern
DAD man in middle are-Reatrioe,s f.tbor
as TTnorna at once nnSerstood CIo.ts and
Inrs law in some confIs;on unor the nba;rs
a iarge box stood with the lid raised aaains,i
the wall disnlavinc a onantitv If lace
AMONG which Law silks ami ribbons of sof,
coIors
"T orlv come tb;v rno-,;rc pa,t-;.o
said os thongb to ,noIogiya for tha diso
order '"o
Unorna sank down in a cornar of tho
sofa shadino her ewes from the hrigbt
Iamn with her hand She conid moi bein
Ioot;ng ar Reatrice but she felt tba, sbe
must not let her scrutiny be too annarent