The National tribune., 1893-03-23

eition, for the hall of city lodging mouse IS
hardly the place for love seene.especlailS
when the house is termed "genteei.
Come downstairs, Richard; L nave SONIC
thing to show you"
Nothing better worth looking at than what
see now" he answered, with a fond glance at
the girl. why, Lucy. you look like little
June rose. Darling, on this happlest day OF
my life, am almost too happy. / think"
"Oh, Dick. don't say that; for have been
feeling SO dreadfully blue. j feel as though
some terrible misfortune were hanging over US,
and / can't get rid OF the feeling"
Come Lucy, you don't mean to say you
feel our marriage to be misfortune" rallied
Dick.
The girl was pale now, and there were tears
in her eyes, She pressed closer to Richards
side as they passed down the narrow stair lead
ing to the basement.
mo Dick you know don't mean that; but
feel as though something were going to part
us-a dark cloud seems to lie in the future and
can't penetrate it."
Don't try to look into the future, dearest 4;
surely our present should suffice without worry
ing yourself about troublous possibilities. You
are nervous and unstrung, my Lucy; breath
of fresh air will do you good"
By this time they had entered the front base
ment, which was fitted in a charming and
artistic fashion into the cosest OF pretty sitting
rooms; behind it kitchen-dining room.
dainty and neat. These rooms and an attic
bedroom were the home of Lucy and her
mother, all the other rooms in the house being
let furnished.
The income from the letting of these rooms
made Mrs. Ormond's only resource, while
pretty Lucy had hitherto earned her living in
the work-rooms of fashionable dressmaker.
For the past month she had been resting and
preparing her wardrobe, for on this very even
ing she was to become the wife of this same
Richard Nesbitt, who was himself book
keeper in a wholesale lumber house.
Dick drew the girl onto the comfortable, wide
lounge, and seated himself with his arm round
her waist. A very pretty picture the dark, tall
young fellow and the plump. fair, Dresden
china shepherdess of Lucy made, as they sat
with happiness at that moment too deep for
words, for in the presence of Richard Lucy's
fears dissolved into thin air.
They were not yet rich enough to set up
housekeeping but Lucy s mother, averse to long
engagements and believing the young people
would be happier struggling together than
struggling apart, had suggested that they
should live with her, and room had been
fitted up for them. Lucy was to pursue her
vocation st home and help to earn the where.
withai to provide their own little home.
And what is this wonderful something you
had TO show me- dearest?" asked Dick at
length.
"a present from the girls, Dick; see, aren't
these lovey?" and she brought forth couple
of cases containing spoons forks, and knives
OF very handsome pattern, and the very best
quadruple plate.
Il am very much pleased with them," she
went on; Ill was so much nicer than Gold
silver berry spoon, something of that kind,
that one could not have used every day"
Yes. it was very kind and sensible pres
ent. dear"
"We shall have almost enough presents to
set MP housekeeping" she went OH gleefuly.
What dear little housekeeper you will
make, to be sure. Lucy, am the luckiest man
upon EARTH" said Dick enthusiastically.
You are silly boy" pouted Lucy; then
she added seriously, " am glad you think SO,
Richard. All. here is mother!"
Mrs. Ormond's cheeks were glowing from
her hurried walk. She was a dark, slender
woman of fifty, as unlike her child-like daugh-
ter possible.
Richard. am glad you came That ridicu-
lous child, having finished her packing, and
having nothing better to do was moping this
morning; j was really inclined to scold herr
81 want her TO come for walk; perhaps the
air may do her good"
The very thing. Run this moment and get
your hat on child"
The mother stood by the table drawing off
her gloves. When the girl was out of hearing,
abe looked seriously at the young man:
Richard" size said, You will be true and
kind TO my child. / have spoiled her little.
perhaps, but she ia all / have and have
shielded her so far from every care She's
tender little thing, my Lucy, and she loves you
very dearly"
The young man, much moved. took her work
worn hands in his young strong ones.
" Dear mother" he said, and il was the first
time he had so called her, as God sees me,
will, then lie kissed her upon the lips, and as
she heard Lucy's returning step she turned
away to hang up her bonnet and hide her emo
tion.
Lucy came back rosy and cheerful. The
morbid feeling that had possessed her in the
morning had been shaken of, evidently, and
her mother felt relieved.
But when the quiet ceremony had been per-
formed in the little parlor, and the hack was at
the door ready to convey them to the station,
Lucy chung 10 her mother with feverish persist
ence. Oh, mother! / can't leave you / am
sfr2id; that dreadful feeling has returned"
Hush, hnsh my child you must not hurt
Richards feelings at such a moment as this
Control your nerves. / have every faith that
he will make you very happy"
But when they had gone and Mrs. Ormond
sat lonely In her little room, mingled with her
Loneliness was tinge of uneasiness.
" IL was so odd that Lucy should feel So she
is usually so merry and careless; but ] am get
ting superstiiious in my old age; it was merely
her grlish fear of the untried paths before
her"
II.
Three days later there came telegram in
She early morning to the house in Union Park
Il read:
Mother. I start for Boston by to-nighrs
train. Richard has left me.-Lucy."
How Mrs. Ormond got through her morning
duties She could never tell, until between 10
and II o'clock hack stopped before the door,
snd Lucy, in her pretty gray travelling suit,
but pale, haggagd, the ghost of the sweet bride
who had left her mothers house four DAYS be-
fore, staggered into the hall and fell upon her
breast.
"Oh, motberi motheri motheri" she cried.
and then fate was kind to her and she tainted.
Mrs. Ormond sent for the DOCTOR and after
be had ministerial TO the girl she fell into a
deep sleep from which she did no: awaken till
might.
That sleep has saved her reason" the doc
tor said, who came again while she was sleep
ing. u If she wishes 10 talk when she awake
let her, but soOthe her as much az possible aud
give her 20 drops from this vial and she will
sleep again."
IL was hard for the mother to sit by the side
OF her unhappy child pondering the mystery of
her return and sorrow. But when Lucy awoke
che was lucid, though weak, aud when sue had
taken cup Of cocoa and some toast she sat up
and tod her mother ali.
We went TO a pleasant. quiet hotel" she
saiG, and the greater part of the next day we
spent in seeing The sights of New York-that
AQdFa zrlu.v