St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1893-12-24

They were trying their theatrical fortunes In
other towns. He is very good to me- she al
ways kept writing her sister, land 1 can't
regret having married him. But at times we
are dreadfully poor, and often the future looks
dismal enough. You would wonder at this new
life am leading. People tell me Ihave talent,
though lack proper dramatic training. But
have learned to disguise my voice, to merge
my very identity in the various parts play
Ross teaches me all he can though the theatres
at which we manage to get engagements tax
him terribly with incessant changes of the
bills. And once she wrote: "Dear dar-
ling grandmamma! How regret losing her,
and how would love to put my arms about
her neck once morei"
Kate would answer these letters, but she
never told her sister of Mrs. Van Wagenen's
total blindness, fearing to deal Margaret fresh
remorseful pain. And as for this blindness
there were one or two physicians, with whom
Kate had talked concerning it, confidently as
sertive that it might in a measure be relieved
But Mrs. Van Wagenen would never receive
their visits. NO" she said, that rush of
tears put out the last fires of my poor failing
sight. I shall never see again, and shall
never weep again"
And undoubtedly it was true that she never
did weep again through six or seven succeed
ing years. Tales of distress moved her, but
they evoked no tears. Her eyes would soften,
but they never moistened.
"Iperceive," she said one day to Kate, "that
really am drag upon you, my dear. If that
young woman of whom you have spoken
to me will come and let me talk with her
awhile, perhaps may consent to have her walk
n,
Your health does require rest, and though 1
shrink from the contact of a stranger, I'll play
the selfish old beldame no longer"
The young woman" and Mrs. Van Wag-
enen held an interview next day, and with
highly satisfactory results. "She has very
sweet voice, said the old lady to Kate, this
Miss . er Miss :. -
"Rivington, grandmamma."
Eyes. true. 1 think 1 shall like her. /
mean to try her, anyway. At the end of about
three days can tell you how Miss Rivington
pleases me-
AT the end of three days the old lady forgot
to tell. But undoubtedly Miss Rivington
pleased her great deal. Christmas tide was
now coming, and the weather was dry and
sharp, though without hint of snow. Mrs.
Van Wagenen took her morning walks with
Miss Rivington instead of Kate. Always on
she would say to Kate. however; "I
missed you, dear, of course. And do you find
yourself better2"
"Oh, I'm getting along fairly well, grand
Kate would reply.
You will see the doctor to-day, Kate, of
course"
ooh, yes, grandmamma, of course9"
And at last the very day before Christmas
Kate said:
"You find Miss Rivington most companiona-
BILE, do you nota"
"Yes, quite. She has sweetly winning ways
like her far better than expected to do
I'm SO glad Of that" said Kate. Then,
after a slight pause: " Grandmamma mag
speak to you of poor Margareta She found a
very good and kind husband in Ross Erskine;
but she has written me of his death in New Or
leans from yellow fever. There have been no
Margaret has little money. Shall
send her some, and ask her to come North ?-to
come back here and live with US as before2"
Instantly the white-haired head erected it
self. Instantly the old haughtiness of the
great lady became manifest
The blind eyes grew an almost electric azure
as they fixed themselves on Hates frightened
face.
'Give her money. Do for her what you think
right. But never let her enter my presence
again.
Yet, in spite of her cold repulsion, she spoke
very feelingly to Miss Rivington as they walk
ed together next morning. It was the morning
of another Christmas, and a keen, yet not too
inclement wind swept past the prim brick
houses of Broadway. Bells were tolling and
Ginning in the limpid air.
81 have always accepted my blindness as a
from God Miss Rivington," said the