The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1894-07-19


All the same Bernardine was relieved
when Mrs. Reffold went to fetch some
silks and left her with Mr.. Renold.
81 am very happy this afternoon, Little
Brick" he said to her. my wife has
been sitting with me. But instead Of en-
joying the pleasure as ought to have
dono began t0 find fault with her.
don't know how long should not have
gone on grumbling but that suddenly
recolleoted what you taught me-that We
were not to come down like sledge ham
mers ON each others failings. When
remembered that, it was quite easy to for
give all the neglect and thoughtlessness
Since you have talked to me, Little Brick,
everything has become easier to me-"
''It is something in your own mind
which has worked this" she said, your
own kind, generous mind, and you put 1t
down to my words"
But he shook his head
"If knew of any poor unfortunate
devil that wanted to be eased and COM
forted,'' he said, IT should tell him about
you, Little Brick. You have been very
good to me. You may be clever, but you
have never worried my stupid brain with
too much scholarship. I'm just an igno-
rant chap, and you've never let me feel it."
He took her hand and raised it reverent-
ly to his lips.
II say" he continued, tell my wife it
made me happy to have her with me this
afternoon. Then perhaps she will stay in
another time. 1 should like her to know.
And she was sweet in her manner, wasn't
she? And, by Jove, she Is beautiful l
am glad you have seen her here today. 1t
must be dull for her with an invalid like
me. And know am irritable Go and
tell her that she made me happy, will
you?'
The little bit of happiness at which the
poor fellow snatched seemed to make him
more pathetic than before. Bernardine
promised to tell his wife and went off to
find her, making as an excuse book
which Mrs. Reffold had offered to lend
her. Mrs. Reffold was in her bedroom
She asked Bernardine to sit down while
she searched for the book. She had very
gracious manner when she chose "You
are looking much better, Miss Holme,"
she said kindly. II cannot help noticing
your face. 1t looks younger and brighter.
The braoing air has done you good"
Yes, am BETTER Bernardine said,
rather astonished that Mrs. Reffold should
have noticed her at ALL "Mr. Allitsen in
forms me that 1 shall live, but never be
strong. He settles every question of that
sort to his own satisfaction, but not always
to the satisfaction Of other peoplep'
He is a curious person." Mrs. Reffold
said, smiling, Though 1 must say he is
not quite as gruff as he used to be. You
seem to be good friends with him.
She would have liked to say more ON
this subject, but experience had taught
her that Bernardine was not to be trifled
with.
II don't know about being good
friends" Bernardine said, "but have q
great sympathy for him. 1 know myself
what 1t is to be cut off from work and ac-
tive life. 1 have been through a misery.
But mine is nothing to his'
She rose to go, but Mrs. Reffold detain-
ed her.
Don't go yet" she said ''It is pleas
ant to have you"
She was leaning back In an armchair,
playing with the fringe Of an antimacas-
sar.
''Oh, how tired am of this horrid
placep' she said suddenly. "And have
had most wearying afternoon. Mr.. Ref
fold seems to he more Irritable ouA~~ aA-
1t is very hard that should have to bear
it."
Bernardine listened to- her in astonish-
ment.
Yes" she added, Il am quite worn
out. He never used to be SO irritable. 1t
is all very tiresome. 1t is quite telling on
my health"
She looked the picture of health.
Bernardine gasped, and Mrs. Reffold
continued:
His grumbling this afternoon has been
incessant-so much so that he himself
was ashamed and asked me to forgive him.
You heard him, didn't you?''
Yes, heard him." Bernardine said.
"And of course forgave him at once"
Mrs Reffold said piously. Naturally one
would do that, but the vexation remains
all the same''
Can these things be?" thought Bernar-
dine to herself
HE spoke in a most ridiculous way
she went on. 1T certainly is not encour-
aging for me to spend another afternoon
with him. shall go sledging tomorrow
You generally do go sledging, don't
you?' Bernardinc asked mildly
Mrs. Retfold looked at her suspiciously.
She was never quite sure that Bernardine
was not making fun of her.
1T is little enough pleasure I do have,
she added as though in self defense. "And
he seems to grudge me that too"
uOn UnlHh nc WOulu RruQg6 you
anything" Bernardine said, with some
warmth. HE loves you too much for that.
You don't know how much pleasure you
give him when you spare him little of
your time. He told me how happy you
made him this afternoon. You could see
for yourself that he was happy. Mrs. Ref
fold, make him happy while you still have
him. Don't you understand that he is
passing away from you-don't you under
stand, or is it that you won't? We all see
it-all except you"
She stopped suddenly, surprised at her
boldness.
Mrs. Reffold was still leaning back in
the armchair, her hands clasped together
above her beautiful head. Her face was
pale. She did not speak. Bernardine
waited. The silence was unbroken save
by the merry cries of some children tobog-
gaming in the Kurhaus garden. The still
ness grew oppressive, and Bernardine rose.
She knew from the effort which those few
words had cost her how far removed she
was from her old former self.
chn coid