The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1893-10-17

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returned 10 my room with the ecstatic
pleasure before OF trying on everything and
prepsring a great surprise for Taras. In
Ghis delicious occupation l spent two hours,
and the time was not a minute too long for
my requirements. There were unforeseen
diflcultics to overcome. Some OF the gar
ments and the method of fastening them
were a. strange TO me As they would have
been TO . savage. My hands would not be-
come white like Miss Hopkins, m the
more I scrubbed them the redder they
seemed to grow. and when l came to dress
aug my hair / thought ! never should sue
coed in making 1t presentAble. IL was so
rebellious through having had its own way
all my life that no amount OF brushing
would make il lie nat and smooth. How
ever, the brushing made IL very lustrous,
and ] contrived at last TO fnsten IL up in
loose curls on my head with the tortoise
shell pins Miss Hopkins had advised me to
buy. The choice of dress gave mo less trou-
bic; that pink silk tea gown was too lovely
20 be set aside.
i had only just got the f~astenings right
when l heard the street door shut and the
sonorous voice Of Taras calling TO Mere
Lucas below. I lit the lamp that stood on
the table, and with doubt and hope palpi-
Eating in my heart looked in the glass. I
could scarcely believe that the reflection /
saw there was my own. To be sure, / was
unused TO the luxury OF mirrors, and now
for the first time perhaps looked Mt myself
with interest; still ! had seen my face often
enough TO believe that oil the taunts it
drew from the malicious wits of Ferryboat
Stairs were meritcd. But now, as I gazed
IN the glass. ! was almost frightened by the
change made In my appearance by a beau
tiful dress, the care i had bestowed upon
my h.. and still more by the expression OF
eager hope which animated my features. II
seemed to me that i was no longer ugly.
but, on the contrary, nicer even than Miss
Hopkins. Would Tnras think so also and
like me tho better for itf / asked myself as
] ran downstairs.
1 opened the door with a trembling hand
and went into the living room. IL was soft
t1y lit by half a dozen wax candles. Taras
was reading. Hearing my steps, he lifted
hts eyes and glanced across the table, then
laying down his book and rising exclaimed,
Aura" In a low tone Of establishments and
stood for a moment regarding me in silent
wonder.
Don't ye like it," I asked, taking his a.
lance for a token of displcasurc.
"Why, that's just what takes my breath
away. never dreamt Of such a marvellous
change a. this" and then he said some
thing about my bursting out winged from
4 the chrysalis which l did not then under
stand.
"Thcn 70 do like it," said I, Frightening
up under the signs Of approval in his face
and voice.
'Of course / do. It's charming in every
way. Why, you make the room look 10
times brighter"
"You won't fnd anything like this down
Ghadwell way" said /, turning round hat
be might see the long plaits behind. but
4 amt got my hair right yet"
Thea hope you never may. for it AN
not look better"
I'm glad you like my dress anyhow,
cause got a lot moro UP stairs-none on
EN- c~heap-and q sealskin jacket and gloves
with ever 10 many buttons and all man
per.r
"Bravoi'' said he, rubbing his hands, with
= smile; there's nothing like doing things
thoroughly, Aura"
my shoes is n caution" said, stepping
mi into the light and drawing back my
skirts to show the glittering buckles.
pheasant TO walk in. too, l should say"
"Wakl ] feel like as IL | could Almost
dance In 'em. I'm that light. just like a
dream, where you feels IL you could fly.
An IL don't seem real neither. IL kinder
frightens me TO think ms ] may wake up
presently and find myself on the sacks up
IN the corner OF Bsxter's wharf"
Turn Il about. Say that this Is the
awakening, and Bakers wharf the dream
70 he forgotten"
l tried to realize that, but my heart and
brain gave way under the strain put upon
thcm.
TITS too much for mi all at once ! said,
struggling with my hystericat emotion.
"lt's nore'n ] can bear. Don't you say
another word to me Just for a minute or
two. or I'll make n fool OF myself again.
But though be did not speak, and I turned
stray, biting my lip 10 stop its quivering, |
the tears would spring in my eyes and
choking sobs rise in my throat.
TIN a-goin of. | think" said l, with a
queer laugh, nc length. 1T amt SO much
these clos and tbing.-it's this Kindness
IS comes over me. ] amt used to It. This
- twice I've give way like this. Herc.v
suddenly turning, in impotence with my
weakness. II amt n-goin 20 carry on this
here way no more. I'm a-goin TO be regular
good, ] am."
Ao'o' hoaueu io'iuki}," hnu pacing q
chair for me seated himself.
There's the purse you give me: I've only
paid for the boots out Of 1t :, said I, Offering
tbe purse.
Keep IL: you are sure TO want other
things. You may see some ornaments that
you would like for -FOUR room--this would
look homelier for a few triles such as you
girls delight In"
There's somethin in here. though, as 1
must give you. 'cause''-- Not knowing
what excuse to make. I took out the iron
ring ! had stolen from him In silence and
heid H. out to him with a shamed face.
n He took II, with n smile. and putting II on
Told me that IN ] wanted it again I should
have II. but Ia q tone which led me to think
that there WA more In his words than I
then understood.
AZ that moment Mere Lncas entered the
with the soup, aud her EXPLANATIONS
~ establishment rs she recognized me ia
my new gown gave a new turn to our
e~houghts. Having set down the tureen, she
stepped back, and putting her hands on her
Hips surveyed me from head to foot with
omiling admiration, while she oonveyed