The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1892-04-08

. little, did severe penance n kissed
her, but she looked more astonished than
pleased.
/ was not ut all surprised when . few
days Afterwards Lucy entered my room In
great excitement; but my fears were
realized.
"Oh, Lillian" my sister cried, solve
has taken laudanum, and -
"Pshawi" ! exclaimed. "You are not
deluded by the little amatuer b~ernnardt'
/ hopef"
"But she IL on the bed unconscious"
"Just call Tom, and then sec o un-
conscious she u.s."
"Lillian, you are Just as hard hearted
az you can bel She looks as white as the
sheet she IL lying on."
"Call Tom, and she will soon get her
color"
She did as I told her, and we all went to
her room together, Lucy erd Tom very
much agitated, but / myself, feeling irri-
tated and impatient.
"Stop q momenti" I said, holding the
others back. al want to speak to her
first, Olive!"
There was not the slightest movement
in response to my call.
Galatea was not more statue-like before
her awakening.
Then Tom whispered in tremulous ac-
cents:
"olive, my little Olivel"
1t was the working OF a miracle.
At the first sound Of his voice her eyes
opened as II involuntarily and she rolled
them up to him with the look OF a seraph.
"There!" / said to Lucy, and a more
AtoNrgod N.~.o NJ xnauaE Gaan
But Tom was not the first man duped
by a pair of melting brown eyes and he
succumbed helplessly.
Kneeling by the side OF the bed he asked
in a reproachful way:
"Why did you do this, my child, why
did you do it?"
because ! do not want to marry Mr..
Lamson," she answered, pitifully.
"You shall not marry him IL you do
not want to, my darling"
"But they said you wanted me to ac-
ccpt him."
81 want you to accept a man you do not
care for? No, indeed, l love you too well
for that"
"Do you love me, Tom, do you love
NET"
Better than my life, little Olive"
"And / love you a hundred times better
than any Mr.. Lamson."
"My darling!" Tom cried rapturously,
while ! CRASHED my teeth in impotent
ury.
/ could not contain myself, however,
and approached the bed.
"That is all very interesting" said,
but what do you suppose MIR. Lamson
will think Of it?"
"Lillian," Tom replied, with a deter
mined look upon his face, "no man was
fonder of q sister than / am, but / will
not allow even you to interfere between
me and the woman I love-"
Fe- the first time in my life / was really
angry with him, but / only answered by
a look; and IL my eyes were not as
seraphic, they were quite as expressive as
Olives. Then ! went towards the door,
but the dear fellow followed me, and
throwing his arms around my waist, he
cried:
"You are not angry, sister, areyou?"
/ was melted in moment.
sob, Tom," / said-"poo boy-poor
boy?"
And trying hard to keep back my tears,
I left him with his darling.
The next day that young lady had the
audacity to ask If ] would see Mr.. Lam
son, VINO nad just called.
"Oh," I exclaimed. "You wish to get
rid of a disagreeable duty, do your"
"He'ltease me to marry him and /
never a to see the man again.
Every we'll" ! said. al will see him,
but 1t is on his account, not yours"
And ] descended to the parlor with my
heart aching for the lover whose fondest
hopes had been cruelty blasted.
$1,000 a-I .-.Al -
when I opened the parlor door my face
must have betrayed me.
Mr.. Lamson extended his hand and
asked quite coolly:
"Is Olive sick?"
"No," I replied, "but I have an un-
pleasant duty to fulfill. Oh, Mr.. Lamson,
II my sympathy-"
az think I understand" he said, in a
manner so utterly undisturbed that /
looked at him In amazement. "You are
surprised" he continued, " but Olive has
not behaved In q proper or womanly man
ner. / was greatly deceived. She has the
eyes Of an angel, but her caprices are any
thing but angelic. My patience was
nearly exhausted, especially as 1 think she
prefers your brother to me. Indeed, she
almost said 30. But / assure you that
your sympathy Is fully appreciated"
Then he turned the subject, and we
spent q very pleasant evening. / had al
ways liked Mr.. Lamson.
Olive was a good deal piqued when l
assured her there was no danger of q
broken heart in his case.
He continued to call as frequently as
ever. seeming to appreciate my sympathy
more and more, especially when il
changed into the tenderest love.
And he o o convinced me that it was
merely a passing fancy he had felt for
Olive.
There was a double wedding, and al
though several years have passed, Tom Is
a. much In love with his wife as ever.
He is successful and prosperous, enjoy
ing his prosperity, yet when we speak of
him to each other, we always say with Q
sigh:
"Poor Tom!"-Chicago Press.