The Kinsley graphic. [volume] (Kinsley, Kan.) 1890-1940, 1893-07-14

of me. wrote you a long letter three
weeks ago. I told you in that letter
that did not mean Ninette should be a
pecuniary burden to you"
Nora put her hand to her head with a
distracted gesture:
81 grow more bewildered at every
word, Amelia. never got your letter.
1 have heard from you but once since
the day Celeste came to me with your
little girl, bringing the letter telling
me you were going to Europe as com
panion. That once was when you
wrote me you were going on the stage.
1 cried over that letter, Nellie, and I
prayed SO hard that you might be kept
pure and sweet
Mrs. Eugene Norcross smiled indul-
gent1y'
ga ruse, Nssrie, my dear, but a nee
essary one. fknew your adherence of
the stage, and knew, or thought 1
knew, that if you believed me to be on
the stage you would shun me as you
would leper."
And You wanted me to shun your
Eyes,
A cold, hard look had come into the
radiant young face.
II, who have been mother and sister
and teacher all in one to you, Nellie?
I, who never wanted you even to try to
support yourself at typewriting?'
yes
1t came monotonously from the full
red lips which after each utterance Mrs.
Norcross drew fiercely in under her
glistening white teeth.
But why?"
81 told you why in that letter.
But I never got the letter, I tell
you.''
"Then / will have to go over the
whole hateful chapter once more. But
not here. This is Mr.. Norcross's study,
and he might come in unexpectedly"
She got up, almost dragging her sis
ter with her.
''Why should Mr.. Norcross not find
me here?" Nora asked, resentfully.
81 have right to come and see my own
sister. have 1 not, Amelia?''
Amelia made an irritated motion with
her pretty hands:
81 have so much to tell you, Nora.
and the house is SO full of people You
must follow me. Some one might inter
rupt u.s."
She dropped her sisters hands, and,
sweeping rapidly forward, led the way,
by rear staircase, to the upper floor,
never once pausing in her graceful sin.
uous progress until they reached the
small dressing-room, perfect in all its
appointments, through the open door
of which Nora got glimpse into a bed.
room fitted up with still more oriental
splendor.
1 - e.
Eugene never intrudes here. We can
talk comfortably"
She pushed Nora into an easy chair,
and, seating herself close beside her,
began nervously.
Il am sorry you failed to get that
letter. 1t would have saved you this
trip
mo. 1 came to the city independent
~ Of any expectation of seeing you
had believed you were on the stage
had given you up for dead. Iplaced
; the child where its proper protector.
would be obliged to care for it, anG
then-then- But did not come herr
to talk about myself. Tell me all tina,
you have kept from me so long
Amelia
II am married"
Mrs. Norcross was not looking at he,
sister now. Her eyes were down-dropt
: and she was nervously twisting heavy
gold bangle around on her wrist.
II see that for myself When die
Sibley Fairbanks die?"
II don't know"
l Don't know! Don't know! Yor
must know that he is dead, Amelia?"
81 don't know. OF course he is dead
OF course know it Wretch! deserter
unnatural monster. Was to wear tn,
willow all my life for creature wh<
defrauded me into mock marriage
deserted me and his child-left us t.
starve or to worseT