Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1893-09-07

dark silk dress brush by, and the pure,
clear profile of face that he well
knew, Barbara Esmond's face.
"Hellol" calculated our hero
"Fernelli, who the duse is that young
lady, and how came she here?
"That young lady, signor, with the
brown dress and the long throat, ana
the head like the goddess Diana?
eyes"
"It is the music mistress of Pauline
Delatour upstairs; she comes twice OF
n week, and sings, my word, like
nightingale.
"'Who is Pauline Delatour?"
"a poor girl, signor, who sews on
dresses; but one day she will come
out on the stage-she will sing at the
opera"
Harry Milbrook stared at Signor
Fernelli like one demented.
(Which size did you say sir?"
I-I don't think I'll make selec
tion to-day. will call tomorrow.
And Mr.. Milbrook rushed headlong
down stairs, greatly to the surprise OF
Signor Fernelli.
"The duse!" he circulated to him
self as he strobe along the narrow
street, with difficulty restraining him
self from tumbling at every other step
over the babies who swarmed on the
sidewalk, "a music c-mistress Giving
lessons in such hole as that. Upon
my word I've come previously near
being taken in and done for So it's
all show and empty pretense that
wealth of hers, and she WAS going to
entrap husband on the strength of
it, Ny stars! it's enough to make the
hair stand right straight up on fell
lows head. What lucky thing it
was I saw through the stratagem be-
fore was netted past escape"
He lifted his hat, and wiped the
chill beads of perspiration from his
forehead.
NO, you don't, Miss Barbara Es-
mond," he muttered to himself with a
bitter, sarcastic smile wreathing his
lips. 81 am not quite such n fool as
that thank goodness.
Barbara Esmond had futtered lightly
up the narrow staircase, all uncon-
scious of the eyes that were noting
her, through Signor Fernelli's partially
opened door, and entered a small room
i'll the story above. A pale young
girl, with sweet, spirituelle face, sat
Mt her sewing by the window. She
frightened up as the delicate figure
came iu.
"Miss Esmond, it is SO kind OF you
to remember me so punctually."
"Not at all kind. l am genius
worshiper, Pauline, and [ have dis
covered the divine spark in you.
"How shall l ever pay you, Miss
Esmond?"
"By cultivating the talent heaven
has bestowed upon you. Nay, nay,
Pauline, nm but following out pet
whim."
"And the piano, too, that you sent,
here. Oh, Miss Esmond, one of heav-
ems angels could hardly be more gen.
erous !"
"Hush, hush, Paulinel Begin your
lesson. never thought, when first ]
heard you singing Mt your work and
paused to listen to the Hute-like notes,
that you would be half way through
the exercise book in less than six
months. When you sing at the opera
l shall be the first to throw bouquets
at your feet
Pauline looked with shy bright
ness at her benefactress. Would that
time ever come?
The lesson was longer than usual
that day Pauline and Miss Esmond
were both deeply interested, and it was
nearly twilight before Barbara
emerged from the house, closely
yelled, and walked swiftly through the
darkening streets.
'There's note for you, Miss Bar
bara," said her housekeeper, as she sat
down to rest minute or two i'll the
rcception-room of her own mansion
before she laid of her things.
"a note? Let me see it. When did
it Gomez"
"About fifteen minutes ago, miss.
A little boy brought it"
"Light the gas, please. Mrs. Moore,
and take these wraps upstairs.
A soft rose tint flushed over Bar
bnra's cheek as she recognized Harry
Milbrook's handwriting. She broke
the seal and glanced eagerly at its con-
tents; but, as she read, the soft Grim
son flush died away into pallor.
1t was very, very brief, but cruel as
| n blow.
"MIss EssYoND," it read, commenc-
ing shortly and sternly, instead of the
"Dearest Barbara" she mad expected,
"allow me to claim back the troth
have plighted to you. had supposed
when 1 engaged myself to you that ]
was about to ally myself 70 lady. not
to music mistress in Grove street. 1t
will scarcely be worth while for you to
reply to this letter, as lean never, un-
der any circumstances, forgive the de-
ceit that has been practiced on me.
Therefore, 1 shall take it for granted
that all relations are ended between
yourself and
yours very respectfully,
"H. MnBRooK."
Barbara dropped the insulting letter
with n spnrkle in her black evae n