Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1893-12-14

IN dream, win q terribly bitter smile
on her lips.
felt so guilty that l stood like a
statue, without word Of apology. When
part had played in this tragedy. and to
console myself | went down to my
friends to talk it over. Just as l was
about to pull tn ir bell, the door was
opened by the maid, who was letting out
a messenger with some parcel. was
such an everyday guest that she ALLOW ed
me to step into the pa,l"r, and went
about her own work. This room was di.
vided from a second one by only por-
there. Hearing voices in the next room,
| concluded that that there was some
visitor there. and l sat down, busy with
my own perplexity, and waiting for the
lady of the house. Ten minutes must
haye passed when was called to myself
by the sound OF my own name. l rose
individually, but no one came In and l
sat down again, while the voice went on:
| II am sure don't mind the harmless
old fool. msmma,-but can't we have one
New Years dinner without him? We
need another lady, if you insist on hav-
ing him, and our dining room is not
very large"
| but, child" hear the mother say,
show can we offend him? / do not care
to have him, but he always sends nice
presents and flowers. And then he might
raise the rent. Papa says we must be
| polite"
"Oh, bother!" says the daughter. But
hear nothing more; steal away like
thief, and close the door gently behind
me, as / return to my bachelor apart
ment. How poor, how lonely am! Nv
fDwers, my presents, buy a few smiles,
u friendly word. 1t is unbearable. the
sorrow that has struck nv heart. Siuce
my dear mothers death, though it is
| long ago, have never felt so lonely and
forlorn as now. / must 60 out, must
walk, l must see people. l ruth down
the stairs, and in my impetuosity nearly
knock down two men who are coming in.
The jsnitOr's " ife direc the N upstairs
| and turning to me, she adds: The am
bu,ance."
Oh, horrors! The ambulance stands
at the door, and those two men are 60
| ing for the poor girl, according to nv
orders. If they rt ach the door before |
do, the shock Of those well-known uni
| forms may kill her. forget my age and
nv usually diyniied walk, aud hurry
upstairs. calling all the way: stop!
Wait! Do not go on" and | heave a
| sigh of intense relief as one man turns
his head. They wait-I actually believe
with a suspicion that L am out of my
mind, for hold my hat in my hand, and
must look almost wild with excitement.
please step in here" say, and open
my own door.
Rose, bring two glasses of wine. Sit
down, my good fell rvs. | am happy to
| tell you that the Call for the ambulance
was mistake. Allow me to pay you for
| <.1I l,n,,, 81,
tai that it was all a misunderstanding
The men accept my explanation, thank
ing me politely, and depart with luIk-
ing doubt as to my sanity. But what do
l care? The poor girl is safe. wonder
how she is. Perhaps she knows of my
heartlessness, and breads the arrival of
the ambulance. Will Miss Casanova
ever forgive me? She looks so proud,
like queen, more than like bread-win-
ner.
"Rosa,"I try to look unconcerned,
''how is the sick girl?"
"Shall inquirer" SAYS the good old
soul, with glad ring IN her voice. Aud
without waiting for an answer, she hur-
ries from the room, and hear her speak
in subdued voice to some one outside,
She returns to tell me 1t is the doctor,
who has just gone in to prescribe for the
invalid.
Tell him to come and see me, Rosa,
when he comes out."
Something has lighted up her dear
old face, aud her eye look kin lily into
mine, but she talks little. am less lone
some when l look at her, for she loves
her cranky master, know.
Presently the doctor Is ushered into
my library. / find that he is an acquain-
lance of mine.
"How is the invalid?'
"ohe has pneumonia, bat am glad to
see a slight change for the better to-
night"
"Thank God!' say with profound
ly sincere accent.
81 did not know you were acquainted
with them
Poor girls! I do not know them,
but am sorry for the poor tufferer"'
'The sufferer, as you call her, is the
least to be pitied. The older one is a
heroine. knew her in Florence, when
she was still the much sought daughter
Of the rich banker Casanova. He had a
second wife and little girl by this SEC
ond marriage. Do you remember his
complete RUN? 1t was full,ae by hi.
death. His wife became an invalid from
sorrow, and Miss Casanova, Left with
two helpl' IS people on her hands, sought
in vain for paying work. Florence at
tracted her, and she d cided to Try a
place wheren no one knew of her former
life. She began at the very beginning,
living a life of sacrifice, but soon req cil-
ing a better position by her industry and
int lliger ce. The mother died, blessing
the fallhful heart, sure that the delicate
child left in her sisters care would be
safe. Yes, she has neen safe, and shall
spare no lrou lie to cure her."
And these ale the women l wanted
to send away!'
banked the decor, and begged him
to let me know if | could do anything
for my dodgers. Then, under sudden
impulse, confessed to the doctor my
heartlessness. and the story of the am
bulAnce, and how had deeply regretted
my behavior Would Miss CasanOsa
ever forgive me?
The doctor looked almost severe, and
| - T. 4 ~. H. u