The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1893-05-26


loan l.dies puked their parasols into the
kitchen sink and tore of strips Of the
hel paper Dccp-voirc men parleyed
- 20 the monthly r'h,al fat old gen.
tomei n. keJ questions in husky ac-
cut.
e, shall 80 crazy" said Dorcas.
The next morning, however, dove
winged Peace once more settled on the
field Of action. The agent came up and
removed the bill.
The house is taken," said he.
Who's took it ?" demanded Dorcas.
who chanced just then to be securing
the brasses. But tho agent either did
not know or would not tell. Dorcas
heaved deep sigh. "Den," says she,
we've got to cl'ar out.
The landlord sent Selma polite
note in day or two. He had con-
cluded, he wrote, to accept her offer
of the furniture and belongings as an
equivalent for certain portion of the
unpaid rent.
Now" said Dorcas, "what is we to
do p
Poor Mrs. Spencer was all in flut-
ter The Newport scheme delighted
her, and she was very busy looking over
her wardrobe with reference to the COM
ing visit. Selma had written to the
aunt Of an old schoolmate of hers, who
kept boarding house in the fair sea-
side city, asking her lowest price for q
comfortable room. Dorcas was to go
with Mrs. Spencer as attendant and
maid, and Selma had resolved to hire
room in New York and board her.
self rs well as she could.
But this has been u dear old home,
she murmured. II wonder who will
sleep in my room. | wonder whose
hands will strike tho yellow keys Of
mammals old piano, and dust my flow
ing blue china, and arrange the old
fiddle backed chairs.
The purple sunlight shone softly in /;
the scent of stalk of hyacinths in u
glass on the mantel brought back rem
inscence3 of the old Southern flower
gardens, and all of sudden voice
which she had last heard in those very
gardens struck on her ear.
"Selina-have l startled you? ?"
MIR. Berkeley +
He extended a cordial hand.
Perhaps you fancied could not
trace you out ?" said he. But / am
better at hide and seek than you
thought"
She courtesied haughtily. His hand
some countenance fell. Evidently lie
was deeply disappointed.
Are you not glad to see me, Selma p
he exclaimed. "Ah, Selma / had
counted so much on this interview ! l
had planned to renew my suit-to ask
you once more to be my wife.
She drew her slight figure up.
You are presuming too much on my
very evident poverty, Mr.. Berkeley,
said she. Il refused you when l was
Miss Spencer, OF Spencer Vale. What
sort OF woman should be if 1 were
COW to accept you-simply as a pro-
lection against adversely p
But, Selma"
Pray, excuse me from any further
discussion of the question, said Selma.
May not hope to see your mother p
he persisted.
~ should prefer not"
"Do you know. Selma" he said,
after brief silence, "that this is q
very bitter modification to me ?"
is it Then what must it be to me?'
she retorted, almost fercely, looking
up at him.
He stood a second or two gazing
sadly at her. Stung by the scrutiny,
she swept from the room like an an.
gered princess.
Half minute later she came hurry
ing back, full Of sweet, strange mis-
givings. But he was gone.
81 have let another opportunity slip
by 7" she murmured. "Oh, heavens I!
where is my life drifting to p
At that moment Aunt Dorcss ushered
in the landlord, a fussy, bald headed
old gentleman, with fur collar to his
coat.
Good evening. Miss Spencer" said
ho. Il expected to meet the new party
here" .......
"The-I beg your pardon" said
Selma
The gentleman who has purchased
this house and furniture" explained
Mr.. Beasley, "and settled it on your.
self and your mother. A friend OF
yours. suppose-Mr. Berkeley"
Standing sadly in the shadow of the
rustling poplar boughs outside, George
Berkeley felt the magnetic influence Of
another presence. A soft voice stirred
tho twilight air, like the far-of music
of forgotten days.
"Mr. Berkeley" it said-"George =
please will you forgive me ?"
A dead silence ensued.
"Won't you, George?" with a little
sob in the voice. "I-I don't mean to
speak SO harshly to you. l didn't
! know then what L know now of YOUR