Los Angeles herald., 1892-01-05

or investigators valiantly, and at night,
as she herself observed, "she was jes' as
tired as If she'd done double days
wash" Stout ladies peered into the sub
cellar and denounced the drainage; lean
ladies poked their parasols into the
kitchen sink and tore off strips of the
hall paper. Deep voiced men parleyed
as to the monthly rental; fat old gentle
men asked questions in husky accents.
Il shall go crazy" said Dorcas
The next morning. however, dove
winged Peace once more settled down on
the field of action. The agent came up
and removed the bill.
1.-THE house is taken," said he.
who's took it?" demanded Dorcas,
who chanced just then to be securing
the brasses. But the agent either did
not know or would not tell. Dorcas
heaved a deep sigh. "Den," says she.
we've got to crar out"
The landlord sent Selma polite note
in day or two. He had concluded. he
wrote, to accept her offer of the furni-
ture and belongings as an equivalent for
certain portion Of the unpaid rent.
Now" said Dorcas, 'swhat is we to
dor"
Poor Mrs. Spencer was all in a fiutter
The Newport scheme delighted her. and
she was very busy looking over her
wardrobe with reference to the coming
visit. Selma had written to the aunt of
an old schoolmate of hers, who kept
boarding house in the fair seaside city
asking her lowest price for comfort
able room. Dorcas was to go with Mrs
Spencer as attendant and maid, and
Selma had resolved to hire room in
New York and board herself as well as
she could.
"But this has been dear old home,"
she murmured. "I wonder who will
sleep in my room; wonder whose hands
will strike the yellow keys Of mammals
old piano and dust my flowing blue
china and arrange the old fiddle backed
chairs"
The purple sunlight shone softly in;
the scent Of stalk of hyacinths in
glass on the mantel brought back remi-
niscences of the old southern flower gar
dens, and all of a sudden voice which
she had last heard in those very gardens
struck on her ear.
"Selina-have startled your
"Mr. Berkeley"
He extended a cordial hand.
Perhaps you fancied that could not
trace you outY' said he. 'But am bet
ter at hide and seek than you thought"
She courtesied haughtily. His hand
some countenance fell. Evidently he
was deeply disappointed.
care you not glad to see me, Selina?"
he exclaimed. "Ah, Selinal Ihad count
ed SO much on this interview l had
planned to renew my suit-to ask you
once more to be my wife"
She drew her slight figure up.
you are presuming too much on my
very evident poverty, Mr.. Berkeley
said she II refused you when was
Miss Spencer, of Spencer Vale. What
sort of woman should l be if / were
now to accept you-simply All a protec-
ton against adversityr"
"But, Selina"-
"Pray excuse me from any further dis
cussion of the question" said Selma.
MAY not hope to see your mother"
he persisted.
II should prefer not"
do you know, Selma" he said, after
brief silence, ssthat this is a very Bit
ter modification to meY
els it? Then what must it be to me?"
she retorted, almost fercely, looking up
at him.
He stood q second or two gazing sadly
at her. Stung by the SCRUTINY, she
swept from the room like an angered
princess.
Half a minute later she came hurrying
back, full of sweet, strange misgivings.
But he was gone.
81 have let another opportunity slip
byt' she murmured. "Oh, heavensl
where is my life drifting tor"
At that moment Aunt Dorcas ushered
in the landlord, fussy, bald headed old
gentleman with fur collar to his coat.
"Good evening, Miss Spencer" said
he. II expected to meet the new party
here"
"The-I beg your pardon" said Sell
ina.
1.-THE gentleman who has purchased
this house and furniture" explained Mr..
Beasley, "and settled it on yourself and
your mother. A friend Of yours, sup
pose-Mr. Berkeley"
Standing sadly in the shadow Of the
rustling poplar boughs outside George
Berkeley felt the magnetic influence Of
another presence. A soft voice stirred
the twilight air, like the far off music Of
forgotten days.
"Mr. Berkeley" it said--'' 'George!-
| please will you forgive meT
A dead silence ensued.
won't you, George9" with a little sob
in the voice. "I--I didn't mean to speak
so harshly to you. didn't know then
what know now Of your noble gener-
| osity."
Silence-only silence still.
"If l accept it for dear mammals sake.
| you surely will not misinterpret me,
| Oh, Georgel how can you be SO cruel2
Why don't you answer me? What are
| you waiting for me to say7"
And still no word broke that haunting
| silencei
George" in low voice, I've
changed my mind. will be your wife?'
| He took her in his arms.
"Dear sweetheartl" he murmured.
~Dear little melting snow wreath l
knew that love would conquer you at
lastl"
| When Mrs. Spencer heard of the en-