Fort Worth gazette. [volume] (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1891-1898, 1891-04-26

Not now" said Unolna But | wa.
here for a long time when / was very
| young
BY common instinct. as they fell int
conversation, they began to walk more
| slowly, side by side,
Indeed said Beatrice. with a slight in.
crease of interest. Then you were brough,
up here BY the nuns,
| Not exactly. II was sort Of refuge 70,
me when was almost a child ! was lef,
here alone until | was thought old enough
to take care of myself
| There was little bitterness in her tone,
! Intentional, but mastery in its truth to
! nature.
Left by your parents" Beatrice asked.
| The question seemed almost inevitable
Il had none | never knew a father nor
mother Unorna's voice grew sad with
each syllable.
They had entered the great corridor in
| which their apartments were situated. and
! were approaching. Beatrices door. They
walked more and more slowly. in silence
during the last few moments, after Unorna
had spoken. Cnorna sighed. The passing
breath, travelling on the air OF the lonely
place, seemed both 10 invite and offer SYM
patty.
My father died last week. Beatrice
SAID IN very low tone, that was quite
steady. Il am quite alone-here and in
the world
She had her hand upon the latch and her
deep black eyes rested upon Unorna'S. as
though almost, but not quite, conveying an
invitation, hungry for human comfort yet
too proud to ask il.
Il am very lonely, too said Unorna
MAY sit with you for awhile"
She had just time 10 make the bold stroke
that was necessary. In another moment
she knew that Beatrice would have disap-
peared within. Her heart beat violently
until the answer came. She had been sue
cessful
VIII you, indeed" Beatrice exclaimed
Il am poor company, but l shall be very
glad If you will come in
She opened the door and Cnorna entered.
The apartment was almost exactly like her
own in size and shape and furniture, but it
already had the air of being inha Dited
There We're books upon the table, and a
square jewel case ana an old silver frame
containing large photograph OF stern,
dark man in middle age-Beatrice's father
as Cnorna at once understood. CloakS and
furs lay IN some confusion upon the chairs,
a large box stood with the lid raised.
against the wall, displaying quantity Of
lace, among which lay silks and ribbons OF
soft colOrS.
Il only came this morning Beatrice
SAID, as though to apologize for the dis
order.
uOlIld SATIN 10" IL III Il corner OF the
sofa. shading her eyes from the bright
lamp with her hand. She could not help
looking At Beatrice, but she felt that she
must not let her scrutiny dc 100 apparent,
nor her conversation too eager. Beatrice
was proud and strong and could doubtless
be very cold and forbidding when she
chose.
And do you expect to be here long,"
Cnorna asked, as Beatrice established her
self at the other end of the sofa
i cannot tell, = was the answer Il NAV
be here but few days, or | may have TO
stay month.
Il lived here for wears" said Unorna.
thoughtfully. i suppose it would be i'm
possible now-I should die of apathy and
hamilton She laughed in a subdued way.
as though respecting Beatiice'S mourning.
But was Young then, she added sud
denly withdrawing her hand from her eyes.
50 that the full light of the lamp fell upon
her
She chose to show that she too was beau
tiful, and she knew that Beatrice had as vet
hardly seen her face as they passed through
the gloomy corridors. 1t was an instinct Of
vanity, and yet, for her purpose. it was the
right one. The effect was sudden and un-
expected, and Beatrice looked at her almost
fxcdly, in undisguised admiration.
Young then"' she exclaimed. You are
young now
Less young than ! was then" Unorna
answered, with a little sigh, followed in
stantly by smile.
Il am five and twenty said Beatrice,
woman enough to try and force confes-
sion from her new acquaintance.