Pawtucket tribune. (Pawtucket, R.I.) 1890-189?, 1892-07-23


lampmat nike rose. Nothing had worn
out or grown shabby In the spinster'
little home.
Once" he said, Miss Nancy sat for
a miniature TO painter then well known.
IL was a speaking likeness. Does 1t by
chance remain in the housey
IL think il does" said. THE heir,
a nephew, a rich man. who lives IN New
Orleans, wrote orders that the house
should DO sold with all its belongings,
and think the miniature you mean Is
here"
| went TO the esci; oire and drew from
| one Of the drawers the likeness Of lady
painted on ivory and set in a narrow
gold frame. doubt il it really resem-
bled any living being.
II was beautiful doll, all pink and
white. with blue eyes, little brown curls
penciled on the forehead and a white
frill about the neck, but as put it into
the hands Of Bachelor Barton he gazed
upon it with rapture.
Miss Nancy's very self" he said, las
she appeared at twenty-five. There are
no such women now" He paused, and
with a low bow, added, with tho ex-
ception Of the fair lady in whose pres
ence now stand"
courtesied. hope did it properly.
1t seemed the only thing TO do under the
circumstances.
After this begged the old gentleman
to visit any portion Of the house and
grounds he pleased and when he went
away presented him with Miss Nancys
miniature, for which he kissed my hand.
standing at IA long distance and touching
my fingers rs though they We're sacred
relics.
We talked him over ut ten time. Jack
and |, and made up our minds that h.
had once been suitor Of Miss Nancy's.
Ii was not very difficult matter 10
guess that, and from that day he called
frequently. He made me his confidante
at last.
He had adored Miss Nancy, he told
me. and she had returned his affection.
and they had become engaged 10 each
other with the consent of the mother,
and all went merry as a marriage bell
until, in some manner. he offended tho
object of his alteration.
judge he made her jealous, .yny
been in his day beau of the first water,
and much admired by the ladies; but he
was too modest 10 say SO outright. But
at all events she would not forgive him.
She refused him the miniature which
had been painted for him; she took back
her lock Of hair and sent him back his
letters, and in all sorts of ways wreaked
vengeance upon him for his evil do
ing. Yet | believe she intended to re-
lent and forgive; and he also thought So
| am sure. He made every possible
apology and overture, but she yielded
not one inch.
At last her mother died. That great
sorrow. it seemed to him, must bow her
pride, Gnd she must more than ever need
comforter, a consoler, protector.
Allowing time for the first burst of
grief, he wrote TO her, asking her TO re-
ply, whatever her fiat might be, begging
her TO forgive him, and once moro prom
ise TO be his wife.
"She never answered me-" he said.
'She never gave me one word IN reply"
1t was on my tongue 10 say she had
been very vindictive, but saw that that
would not do. Miss Nancy was sainted
in his memory, and could be suspected
of no wrong whatever.
II erred beyond forgiveness, sweet
angel" he said-'I erred beyond for
giveness;" and Bachelor Barton could
not have been moved from this opinion
by the whisper Of an angel.