Waterbury evening Democrat., 1892-03-26

unbeknown to herI Run quick, PLACE,
Miss Blnke--I can hear her scolding
nowl'
t'Nevcr mind, dearr' encouragingly
whispered Clara. as she rustled by,
leaving IN odor of franggipanni in her
wake; 'thc odious shaclxlcs will soon
drop of Send me line at once. Mr..
Dowdin can't waltz
Mrs. Dickinson had never been SO ir-
ritable. SO hard to please, as she was
that day. Or, at least, so it seemed to
Barbara
But there was an exultant thrill in
the girls heart.
sit need not be for long" she told
herself ST will write Immediately and
accept Clara's kind offer"
But nevertheless certain regretful
feeling kept pulling OF her heart
strings. She remembered how her
gentle, soft-voiced mothor, in her life
time, had always distrusted Clara
Belden's assured manners and dashing
ways. She recalled to herself that
mothers Efforts to keep her in the
modest retirement of the home circle,
her constant precepts against brushing
off the soft bloom of tr NC womanhood,
and conscience told her to reject the
tempting offer
"But am so youngi' she pleaded with
herself. "And have seen SO little of
pleasure and variety. I am such a
drudgei No oae cares for me here; and
perhaps, if 1 went to the Cecilian l
might attract some true heart. Even
if Eugene Dickinson were to see me
dressed as Clara dresses-but moi Eu-
gene never would go to place like the
sCecelian. OF course it must be re-
spectacle, or Clara would not belong
to it. Butch, mol Eugene would
never 60 there"
In an instant she. comprehended.
own estimation by accepting the
tempting bride. She would be cutting
loose from oil the traditions Of her
youth And yet
She sprang suddenly up and threw
back the masses Of soft chestnut
brown hair from her forehead, with
both hands
''Nor she uttered aloud-''neverv'
Almost at the same moment she
heard Eugene Dickinson's voice in the
next room, talking to his aunt
EYES," said he, quietly. 81 think you
are right think she deserves it at
your hands"
"She has worked very hard, " said the
old lady. "She is very patient and
sweet-tempered I've seen tears come
into her eyes once in awhile, but I
can't call to mind that she has ever
lost her temper, or spoken a word Of
complaint"
"The patient Griselda," said Eugene,
softly.
"Yes, exactly that The patient
Griselda- So have made up my mind
to adopt her as my daughter, and get
some one else to do the work. Well
travel and go everywhere. want her
to see the world. / somehow feel con-
science-striclsen that a young thing like
Barbara should have grown up SO much
in the shade"
II don't think, though" slowly added
Eugene's gentle, leisurely voice. that
your plan is quite feasible"
''Not feasible! Why not?"
perhaps because it conflicts with q
plan Of my own"
"A plan Of your ownI Ny dear boy,
do explain"
Tho fact is, Aunt Adriana," said
Eugene. 81 have lost my heart to this
sweet-voiced, sweet-natured companion
of yours I want to ask her to be my
wife,"
Mrs. Dickinson was silent a moment:
then she spoke again, in an altered &C
cent
81 wonder this never occurred to mo
BEFORE" said she.
cit was not so very unlikely, was
it?''
mot in the least But. Eugene"
eyes, Aunt Adriana-"
'Why need my plan conflict with
yours?"
~ don't think I quite understand
you, Aunt Adriana." said the young
man.
"You are already my adopted son. I
wish to make her my daughter. Very
we'll This is big house. and indi-
vidually occupy very little Of it. Why
can't have you both2"
Barb0ra had sat there with both
hands clasped over her burning face.
Was she an eavesdropper? If so, the
fault was unintentionaL Now she hur-
ried away. almost believing herself to
be in dream. Surely, surely this
| could not be true-this lifting OF the
curtain of trial and toil-this clear
shining of new life?
But as she passed the parlor door it
opened and Eugene Dickinson met her
face to face.
''Miss Blaker' he exclaimed. "You
are the very person have been wish
ing to'see. Will you honor me with a
A few minutes of your timer"
Clara Belden was at her evening
toilet, with surrounding of mirrors,
rouge pots. !darkening pencils and high
ly scented pomades, when Barbara's
brief note of declination reached her.
what fooll" said Clara. 'Reach
me that nail polisher, Jane. But at
all events, she's had chance"
But Miss Belden did not know what
other chances Barbara Blake had
had. The Home Queen.
A Valuable Tip.