The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1894-05-18

about Christmas trees and dolls and play
mates, ESPECIALLY when l went to sleep
thinking about my new camera"
you have a now cameraS" she asked.
Eyes" he answered, land beauty too.
Would you like To see itf'
She expressed wish TO see it, and when
1kaD rpsobed tbs Kurhaup- she went with
h(h u t. Dis bdautiful nom, wfszo he
spent &stixpe n the company az Gis mi-
croscope and his chemical bottles and his
Photographic possessions.
If you sit down and look at those pho
tographs, viii make you some tea, " no
said. There IL Che camera, but please
not TO touch 10 until am ready to show
IL myself.
She watched him preparing the tea. He
did everything 80 daintily, this Disagree
able Man. Ho put handkerchief on the
table to serve for an afternoon teacloth,
and tiny vase Of violets formed the CEN
terpiece He had no cups, but he polished
up two tumblers, and no housemaid could
have been more particular about their
giossiness. Then he boiled the water and
made the tea. Once she offered to help
him. but he shook his head.
KINDLY not 10 interfere" he said
grimly. 'No one can make tea better than
can"
After tea they began the inspection of
the new camera, and Robert Allitsen
showed her all the newest improvements.
He did not seem to think much Of her In
telligence, for he explained everything as
though he were talking to child, until
Bernardine rather lost patience
"You need not enter into such elaborate
explanations she suggested. II have
small amount OF intelligence, though you
do not seem 10 detect II"
He looked at her as one might look at
an impatient child.
Kindly not To interrupt me-" he re-
piled mildly. "How very impatient you
arel And how restless What must you
have been like before you fell illi'
But he took the hint all the same and
shortened his explanations, and as Bernar
dine was genuinely interested he was well
satisfied. From time TO time he looked at
his old camera and at his companion, and
from the expression of uneaso on his face
it was evident that some contest was go
ing on in his mind. Twice he stood near
his old camera and turned round to Ber-
nardine, intending To make some remark
Then he changed his mind and walked alb
ruptly 10 the other end of the room, as
though to seek advice from his chemical
bottles. Bernardine meanwhile had risen
from her chair and was looking out of the
window.
You have lovely view, ;" she said. "It
must be nice 90 look at that when you are
tired of dissecting cheese mites. All the
same, think the white scenery gives one
a great sense of sadness and loneliness.
why do you speak always of loneli-
nessi" he asked.
II 1T Ii.
IL, " she said. when / was strong and
vigorous the idea Of loneliness never en-
)sred my mind. Now / see how lonely
most people are. If j believed in God as a
personal God should be inclined to think
that loneliness were part of his scheme, so
that the soul of man might turn to him
and him alone"
The Disagreeable Man was standing by
his camera again. HIS decision was made
Don't think about those questions, he
said kindly. Don't worry and fret too
much about the philosophy of life. Leave
philosophy alone and take TO photography
instead. Here l will lend you my old
camera"
do you mean thatS" ste asked, glanc-
ing at him in astonishment.
''Of course mean IL, ~ he said.
He looked remarkably pleased with him
elf, and Bernardins could not help smil-
ing He looked jusa as child looks when
ne has given up n toy to another child and
Is conscious that he has behaved himself
rather well
Il am very much Obliged to you," she
said frankly. Il have had great wish to
learn photography"
II might have lent my camera to you
before, miehtn't If'' he said thoughtfully.
mo, she answered. There was not
any rceson.'
"No" he said, with kind Of relief,
'there was not any reason. That Is quite
true"
"When will you give me my first les
SOM" she asked Perhaps, though, you
would like to wait few days, in case you
change your mind"
lit takes me some timc TO make up my
mind, he replied, but do not change
It, So will give you your first lesson to-
morrow. Only you must not be impatient.
You must consent to be taught. You cam
not possibly know everything"
They fixed time for the morrow, and
Bernardine went off with the camera, and
meeting Marie on the staircase confided to
her tho piece of good fortune which had
befallen her.
''Sec what Herr Allitsen has lent me,
Marie'' she said.
Marie raised her hands in astonishment.
''Who would have thought such a thing
of Herr Allitsenl" said Marie "Why, he
docs not like lending me match"
Bernardine laughed and passed on to her
room.
And the Disagreeable Man meanwhile
was cutting new scientific book which
had Just come from England. He spent
good deal Of money ON himself He was
soon absorbed in this book and much in
terested in the diagrams
Suddenly lac looked up to the corner
where the old camera had stood before
Bernardine took il away in triumph.
II hope she won't hurt that camera"
he said little uneasily. Il am half sorry
that
Then kinder mood took possession Of
him.
"Well, at least IL will keep her from
fussing and fretting and thinking. Still
hope she won't hurt it."