The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1893-01-07
Original Storp.
Bread Cast Upon the Waters.
Written for the Democratic Advocate
BY GENEvIEyE CASE

How crowded the streets are Men
going to and from business; men bent on
pleasure; men going no one knows where,
but all hurting along, possessed by mad
desire to reach their homes in the shortest
possible time. \ hurry and worry; rush
and crush; such as, no doubt, many of you
have seen.
Among the throng, daintily picking their
way along the slushy streets, were two la
dies. Both were young and rather hand
some but not at all alike. One was dark
and though her features were regular, the
proud expression of her face made strang-
ers turn from her to her friend, who was
also tall but her features, though lacking
the regularity of her companions, had
beauty of their own. The fair face was SO
sunny and pleasant that many of the peo-
pie who passed, felt happier for having
seen it.
Suddenly one of them,-the fair-faced
one-felt someone pulling at her dress and
heard a childish voice exclaim, "Please
Ma ma, is this yourn ?" She turned and
saw, standing near her, small, dirty,
ragged, pale-faced chimney sweep. In one
hand, holding it as if it was crystalized
III L z..-:ol . 6oo ,,,b;ta ba Larohia e
which the lady at once recognized as her
own
"Oh Bella, exclaimed her companion,
shrinking back, "Don't take it from that
dirty, garbage boyr'
Bella looked down at the pale face and
something that she saw there, caused, no
doubt, by her companions words and man
ner, brought look of pity to her eyes and
loosening one of the flowers yellow
rosebud-from its brothers in her hand,
she gave it to the lad in exchange for her
bit of white linen. The pale sad face lit
up until it was almost beautiful and the
thanks that were not expressed in words
were written upon that countenance in let
ters too plain to be mistaken for anything
else.
! tShe is very kind, . said the little lad to
himself as he feasted his eyes and nose
upon his unexpected treasure, which he
had carefully pinned inside his apology for
a coat He did not dare to pin it on the
outside because the boys might steal it
from him, and it would break his heart to
part with his wonderful flower
Meanwhile Miss Bella Downs was being
lectured, for what her friend, Miss Smith,
call, Improper familiarity with vulgar peo-
pie She listened, quite patiently, to a
long speech on this subject and when her
friend had finished she smiled but said not
one word in reply. By this time they had
reached comfortable, unpretentious look
ing house which they entered without
knocking.
Miss Smith at once passed up the broad
stairway to her room, while her friend. after
hanging up her hat and coat, passed into
the parlor, where pleasant-faced old lady,
sat reading. She, looking up at her daugh-
ter, asked, with smile, "Where is Dora p
ssShe has gone to herroom. We walked
ever so far this afternoon and / suppose
she is tired. Look Are not these flow
ers lovely?" continued the girl, as she ar
ranged her bunch in flower jar. "Mr.
Allen sent them to me with this note, and
she tossed small bit of white paper to her
mother.
aHe is going away?" said the cd lady,
looking up in some surprise.
eyes, business of some kind He is
coming to give me goodbye"
Having, by this time, arranged the flow
ers to her satisfaction, Bella kissed the old
lady and left the room.
Mr.. Allen was her intended husband
and the wedding was arranged for the fol-
lowing spring. After leaving her mother,
the girl went to her room and after sur.
veying the contents of her wardrobe, Sc
lected soft, silky, black lace. Il look
well in black and love this dress. am
sure he will be pleased if wear this and
some of his roses,
When she descended to the drawing
room, an hour later, tall, stalwart, hand
some, dark-eyed man, dressed in a grey
travelling suit, came forward to meet her.
II believe am early but | thought,
| perhaps, you would drive down to the sta
ton with me.
Certainly, / can put on my long ulster.
How long will you be gone p
zone week. he answered, leading her
over to the piano, Ny darling, you look
lovely tonight
sThank you, she replied, dropping him