Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1893-10-05
CHAPTER Hi.
Kathleen'S Lover.

Kathleen'S Lover
The first sensation with both sisters,
when they came within view of the
mighty city, was disappointment. Rose
felt her heart sink within her. The
houses were so high, the streets so
long and dreary; the city seemed a
wilderness of stone and plaster. All
the trees on the OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES long
new boulevards by which they entered
Paris-were white with dust, and had
withered look. The houses had
poverty stricken air, despite their size
and nevness. They looked like big
white gaols. AS for flowers or foun-
tains, parks or gardens, there was no
sign of any such thing.
What an ugly placer cried Kath-
leen piteously. ''Those girls at the con-
ven. must have been horrid story
tellers."
They tramped on and on, till at last
they came to the heart Of the town,
to the place of fountains and palaces
and gardens and flowers. 1t was in
the summer sunset All things were
gilded by that western radiance. Sol
diers were marching along the Rue de
Rivoli, drums beating, trumpets blair
ing. Lamps were lit in all the cafes.
crowds Of people were sitting about
in the open streets, the concerts in the
Champs Elysees were beginning their
music and song, myriad little lampions
shining and twinkling in the last rays
Of the sun. Cleopatra's Needle, foun-
tains, palace, soldiers, statues, trees,
flowers, all fused themselves into one
dazzling picture before the eyes Of
the two bewildered, wearied young
travellers.
90 Rose, how beautiful! how beauti-
fulr' gasped Kathleen, breathless with
rapture. How happy we shall be
here!' a
But while they stood admiring the
fountains listening to the martial
music, the shades Of evening were
descending, and they had still to find
a shelter for the night. Useless to
look for such shelter in this region
of palaces. Rose took her sister by
the hand and walked on, trusting to
Fate to carry them to some humble
district, where thew might find friends
aud economical lare, as they had done
everywhere on the way, thanks to
Roses instinct for discovering the fit
test places, the right people
Stars were beginning to flash and
tremble upon the blue river as the
orphans went over the bridge beyond
the Louvre into that poorer Paris on
the left bank Of the Seine. Here they
roamed about in the twilight till they
drifted somehow into the Rue Git lie
Occur: and at the door of one of the
shabby old houses Rose saw a fat
middle-aged matron, with a good
natured face, of whom she asked for
advice as to lodging.
The matron heard her story, and at
once spread her motherly wing over
both girls. There was a garni, a fur
nished third floor in the middle house
in the yard. The rooms We're small;
just two little rooms and a tiny closet
for kitchen; quite big enough for two
girls. She led the way, introduced
Rose to the concierge-whose husband
was a shoemaker, occupying the base
ment of the house-and who went |
painting up the narrow stairs, key III
hand, to show the lodging.
It was very small, very shabby; and |
cheap although it was, the rent seemed
perience Of village lodgings on the !
great deal to Rose, after her ex-
way; but her new friend told her she
might walk miles and get nothing
so cheap in all Paris; so she took heart, !
oo5 birod tho onartmonf for q month
certain, paying the fifth Of her golden
pieces, Of which she had spent just
four upon the road, as an instalment |
Of the rent. And then, still directed
by her stout friend, she went to a |
cremerie round the corner, and bought
some milk and rolls and a little cheese !
for supper; and the sisters sat down