The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1894-05-23

nenoia wants me. j can't leave her alone
for she Is 80 miserable"
The Disagroeablc Man shrugged his
shoulders and went of by himself.
| Mrs. Rcffold clung very much to Bcr-
nardine those last days before she left
Pctershof. She had decided to go to Wies-
baden, where she had relations and she
| invited Bernardine 10 go with her. IL was
more than that--sho almost begged her
Bernardine refused.
II haye- been from England nearly five
months, she said, ''and my money Is
coming to an end must go back and
work" W
''Thcn come away with me as my COM
panion," Mrs. Reffold suggested. ''And I
will pay you q handsome salary"
Bcrnardine could not be persuaded.
No." she said II could not earn
money that way; 1t would not suit me.
And, besides, you would not care to be a
long time with me. You would soon tiro
Of me. You think you would like to have
mo with you now, but / know how it
would be--you would be sorry, and SO
should !. SO let us part as we are now,
you going your way, and / going mine.
We live in different worlds, Mrs. Rcffold.
1t would bc as senseless for me to venture
lItO yours ~ lOr you 10 come INTO NINE.
DO you think am unkindY"
So they parted Mrs. Reffold had SD >
ken no word OF affection To Bernardine, bit
at the station as she bent down TO kiss her
she whispercd
OF me. Still will you promise mef And
II you are ever In trouble, and can help
you, will you write TO mef"
And Bernardine promised.
When she got back to her room, she
found small packet on her table. 1t con-
tanned Mr. Reffolds watch chain. She
had 30 often seen him playing with it.
There was little piece of paper incloscd
with it, and Mr.. Reffold had written on 10
some two months ago, Give my watch
chain. to Little Brick, IL she will sacrifice
little OF her pride and accept the gift
BernGrdlne unfastened her watch from the
black hair cord and attached IL instead to
Mr.. Roffold's massive gold chain.
AS she SIT there fddling with 1t The idea
seized her that she would De all the better
for a days. outing. At first she thought
she would 90 alone, and then she decided
to ask Robert Allitscn. She learned from
, Marie that he was In the dark room, and
she hastencd down. She knocked several
times before there was any answer.
81 can't be disturbed just now," he
said ''Who is iti"
II can't shout to you," she said
The Dlsagreeable Man opened the door
Of the dark room.
my negatives will be spoiled, he said
gruffly. Then, seeing Bernardine stand
ing there, he added:
why, you look as though you wanted
some brandy"
No." shc said, smiling mt his sudden
change OF manner. Il want fresh air, a
sledge drive and q days outing. Will you
comer'
He made no answer and retired once
more into the dark room. Then he came
out with his camera.
We win 20 70 that inn again, no said
cheerily. Il want To take the photographs
TO those peasants"
In half an hours time they were on
their way. Ii was the same drive rs be-
fore. And since then Bcrnardinc had seen
more OF the country and was more accus-
toned TO the wonderful white scenery, but
still the white prescnces" awee her, and
still the deep silence held her. Ii was the
same scene and yet not the same either,
for the season was now far advanced, and
the melting Of the SHOWS had begun. In
tnS iat dirttiitt WIG NDltcHCcS SttilltQ hs
before, but ON the slopes near at hand
the green was beginning 10 assert itself,
and some Of the, great trees had cast off
their heavy burdens and appeared moro
gloomy in their freedom than in the days
of their snow bondage The roads were
no longer quite SO even as before. The
slcdgo glided along when it could and
bumped along when IL must. Still there
was sufficient snow left TO make the drive
possible and even pleasant.
The two companions were quiet Once
only the Disagreeable Man made remark,
and then he said?
II am afraid my negatives will be
spoiled"
"You said that before Bcrnardinc re-
marked.
well, say it again" he answered in
his grim way.
Then came n long pause.
The best part of the winter Is over"
he said We may have some moro snow,
but IL is more probable that we shall not.
1t is not enjoyable being here during the
melting time"
well, in any case should not be here
much longer" she said, land for simple
reason too. / have nearly come to the end
OF my money. / shall have to go back and
set To work again. should not have been
able to give myself this chance but that
my uncle spared me some Of his money, to
which added my savings
Are you badly offY" tho Dsagrecable
Man asked rather timidly
II have very few wants, she answered
brightly And wealth is only relative
word, after all.'
1t is pity that you should go back to
work SO soon, he said half to himself |
You are only just better, and 1t is easy to
lose what one has gained -
"Oh, i am not likely TO lose," she an
swered, but shall be careful this time
l shall do little teaching and perhaps |
little writing--not much; you need not be |
vexed i shall not try to pick up the
other threads yet. i shall nos be political |
nor educational nor anything else great"
IF you call politics or education great"
he said. And heaven defend me from po- |
litical or highly educated womenV'
You say that because you know moth
Ing about them, she said sharply.
Thank you, )" he replied II have met