Waterbury evening Democrat., 1892-04-20
THORNS and ROSES.
BY rHos. P. MoNTToBD.
Copyright by A. Kellogg Newspaper Co.
 CHAPTER XIII

l MY uObner s cousin, hrS. Laura Der nard, was stately dame with strongl, marked aristocratic tendencies. Hel husband was prosperous business man reputed very wealthy, and his house was the costliest one in the town. Mrs Bernard no doubt realized the advan tages she possessed on account of being | the wife of such a husband, and the mistress of such home, and perhap: | she was not to blame for availing her self of them and holding her head as high as they would permit. Certain il is that she assumed an air of superior. ity that was intended to lift her 8 de gree or two above the rest of the world and place her entirely out of reach ot the common run of humanity.
 Mrs. Bernard, though aristocratic and proud, was charitable after Q fashion, With her charity was fad, and she gave to the poor not for the sake of helping them, but because it afforded her an opportunity to contrast her posi- tion with theirs and thus make more apparent the wide gulf that lay be- tween her and them. She was careful, too, to impress her beneficiaries, by her manner of giving, with the fact that she WIS of Il higher caste than ordinary human clay, and that she stood betwee1 Heaven and earth, receiving God, blessings, which were intrusted to hel hands for distribution among the poor She enjoyed alms-giving because it af forded her such a magnificent oppor tunity to make the recipient feel how small, unimportant, and generally un worthy of existence he was
 When reached the presence of my relative was received not altogether uncordially, but sufficiently so to cause me to feel very uncomfortable and i'll al ease. She welcomed me to her home but did it in way to make me fec completely unwelcome; and she ac. knowledged our relationship, but at the same time erected barrier between us which kept me at a chilling distance from her.
 ''So," she said, unconcernedly, when made myself known to her, "you are Margaret Owens child. Well, I'm very glad to meet you, I'm sure. I am very glad you have come."
 That was all she said, aud those few words were uttered without the least feeling. She did not rise nor offer her hand, but simply motioned me to a seat. Irealized the necessity of informing her why I was there, so that, knowing my situation, she could act toward me as she thought proper. But her manner was so cold and unfeeling that my courage sank out of sight and for a time l had not the heart to utter a word. Finally, however, recovered sufficient strength to begin an account of myself and in some way I stumbled through to the end. Mrs. Bernard listened respectfully to the long recital, but if my words had any effect on her ske did not show it either by speech or action. watched her as I proceeded and saw no change in her manner, her features retaining the same cold, unruffied appearance, and her eyes the same careless, indifferent look. She showed no sympathy, no pity, no feel ing whatever, but sat there as calm and collected as the veriest flint.
 "Wen," she said, after long silence, addressing herself, seemingly, to the wall above my head, ''you want home in this house and of course you can have it. I never turn the poor and needy away from my door empty, even though l cannot understand wherein they have claims on me. am very sorry for you, and am very glad have it in my power to give you home. It is indeed a pleasant thing to be able to show charity to the unfortunate and needy"
 As she spoke she reached forth her hand and touched a bell, and directly a servant entered the room.
 ''Sarah," Mrs. Bernard continued, fixing her gaze above the servants head and addressing the wall again, take Miss Owens to a room and see that she has what she desires. She is to live here"
 The lady, having delivered these in structions, gave me a cursory glance. and taking up book affected to read. The servant bowed to me and started out of the room, and arose to follow, but before I reached the door my wounded pride asserted itself, and turn ing to Mrs. Bernard, exclaimed:
 ''I am truly grateful, madam, for your kindness in offering me shelter, for am well aware have no claims on your generosity and have no right to expect charity from your hands. shall try while l remain here to make my presence as unburdensome as possible, and trust you will not hesitate to point out to me ways in which can be useful to you. It is my intention to share your charity as short a time as I can, for hope to be able soon to bear my own way"
 Mrs. Bernard removed her eyes from her book and fixed them above my head while was speaking, then when I had finished removed them, made me a slight bow and resumed her reading.
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