Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1893-08-17

OF MS nearest
and dearest. He was laid up with
sprained ankle, and spent his time in
great window surrounded by papers,
books and periodicals.
All his sisters answered at once
''Does she live next door2' asked
Jennie.
SIS she small and pretty?" queried
Belle.
Docs she wear dark brown dressp"
inquired Fanny
"Yes, yes yes" said Tony, laughing.
"Ohl we know all about her." came
in chorus.
go on," cried Tony "Let me know
what you do"
II thought you were absorbed in lit
erature," remarked Tony's aunt, from
far corner.
$50 am, aunt; but human beings
interest me, too Why not2 I notice
that this girl goes out, rain or shine,
always alone. Sometimes she walks
quickly, and her expression is bright
and restful Then again, her step is
slow, and her face very sad"
~ can account for that, "said Jennie.
"She was nursing Mrs. Robins, and had
very hard siege of lt-up all night and
on duty during the day."
SIS she professional nurse?"
mo; that is the trouble" explained
Fanny. 'If she were professional
anything she would be at least sure Of
living. She is an orphan, left to her
own resources, and has no special train
ing"
"And is she lady?" asked the aunt
"Yes. She has good friends. Mrs.
Allen, next door, rents her a room. She
goes to her meals at the house OF
another friend. She works at anything
she can get to do, and suppose she
pays her modest expenses She can
trim bonnets, make dresses, mend, and
even cook, if necessary. We met her
socially before we learned these facts {"
"And since then9" asked Tony, in a
clear voice, regarding his sisters quiet
ly and steadily.
"We occasionally see her. at the
houses of her mothers friends" said
Jennie. "She is very retiring, dresses
very prettily and looks as if she be-
longed to past generation"
II do not quite understand you, Jen-
nie," said Aunt Lizzie. "What do you
mean by "a past generation'?"
"Ohl well, auntie, if you don't know
just what I mean, am afraid can't
make you Miss Barton is shy and dig
nified. If she feels like the other girls
about her she certainly does not act or
express herself as we do. OF course she
cannot enjoy what we do. She has
nothing to say when public amuse-
ments are the topic, because she has
neither the time nor the money to-"
Take them in," suggested Tony.
Exactly" went on Jennie 81 was
trying to avoid the slang, because
wanted to convey proper impression
of Miss Barton. She listens eagerly,
but takes little share in general conver.
sation. She dances gracefully; she was
playing the piano, on one occasion, for
some one to sing"
1.-THE fact is" interposed Belle, that
she has no more to do with our ways
and ideas than the man in the moon"
''She isn't in It'll" said Tony.
Now you have it," said his aunt,
smiling.
"Where are you all off to now?" cried
Tony, seeing his sisters putting aside
their bits of embroidery.
"Ohl we have hours of formal calling
before us, and three receptions"
81 thought you were going out to-
night" He sighed and glanced at his
foot
$50 we are"
"We won't be home till morning y
sang Belle.
1--WE are very selfish" said Fanny,
"but this is such lovely invitation!"
''Oh. you can't decline on my ac
count. ] only wish could hop along
with you. Don't forget to come in and
let me look at you before you put or
your wraps"
mo, indeed!"
The door shut after the girls, and
Tony returned to his books. When he
heard his sisters going out. he gazec
after their slight figures in their well
made walling-dresses, and while sc
doing became conscious of Miss Bar
ton, slowly approaching them. He OBJ
served their distant nod Of recognition
and her almost imperceptible move
ment of the head in return. She reached