The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1894-05-14

was good deal OF fun and great deal OF
screaming among the Portuguese colony.
The little danseuse and three gentlemen
acquaintances were drinking coffee and
not behaving too quietly. Pretty Fraulein
Muller was leaning over her balcony car
rying on a conversation with picturesque
Spanish youth below. Most OF the Eng
lish party had gone sledging and tobog-
gaming Mrs. Reffold had asked Bcrnar-
dine to join them, but she had refused.
Mrs. Reffold's friends were anything but
attractive to Bernardine, although she
liked Mrs. Reffold herself immensely.
There was no special reason why she
should like her. She certainly had no
cause to admire her everyday behavior, nor
her neglect Of her invalid husband, who
was passing away, uncared for In the pres
ent and not likely TO be mourned for in
the future Mrs. Reffold was gay, careless
and beautiful. She understood nothing
about nursing and cared less. So train
cd nurse looked after Mr.. Retfold, and
Mrs. Refiold went sledging.
"Dcn. wilfrid Is so unselfish," I" she said
'He will not have mo stay at home. But
feel very selfish" That was her stock
remark Most people answered her by say
Ing, .Oh, no, Mrs. Rcffold, don't say that"
But when she made the remark to Bernar-
dine and expected the usual reply Bernar-
dine said instead:
Mr. Rcffold seems lonely"
"Oh, he has a trained nurse, and she can
read TO him., - said Mrs. Reffold hurriedly.
She seemed ruftied.
II had trained nurse once" replied
Bcrnardino, "and she could read, but she
would not. She said IL hurt her throat"
''Dear me, how very unfortunate for
youl' said Mrs Reffold. "Ah, there Is
Captain Graham calling. must not keep
the sledges waiting"
That was a few days ago, but today
when Bernardine was playing chess with
the Swedish professor Mrs. Reffold came
10 her There was a curious mixture OF
thyness and abandon III Mrs. Reffolds
manner.
miss Holme" she said, II have
thought Of such a splendid idea VIII you
go and see Mr.. Reffold this afternoon9
That would be a nice little change for
him"
Bernardine smiled.
If you wish IL, " she answered.
| Mrs. Reffold nodded and hastened away,
and Bernarline continued her game, and
| having finished it rose to 60.
The Reifolds were rich and lived In q
suit OF apartments In the more luxurious
| part of the Kurhaus. Bernardine knocked
| at the door, and the nurse came TO open it,
Mrs. Refiold asks me To visit Mr.. Ref
| fold" Bernardine said, and the nurse
showed her into the pleasant sitting ro,sm.
Mr.. Reffold was lying on the sofa re
| looked up as Bernardine came in, and a
smile Of pleasure spread over his wan face.
| "I don't know whether intrude, said
| Bernardine, "but Mrs Redold said l
might come TO sec you"
Mr.. Reffold signed To the nurse to with
draw.
She had never before spoken to him.
She had often seen him lying by himself
In the sunshine.
Are you paid for coming to mer' he
asked eagerly.
The words seemed rude enough, but
there was no rudeness in the manner.
'No, am not paid, she said gently,
and then she took chair and sat near
him.
"Ah. that's well!' he said, with sigh
! Of relief. I'm SO tired of paid service.
To know that things are done for me be-
cause a certain amount of francs are given
so that those things may be done-well,
one gets weary of il; that's allp'
There was bitterness in every word he
spoke. II lie here, (" he said, "and the lone
illness Of 1.-THE loneliness Of itr'
"Shall read to your she asked kindly.
She did not know what to say TO him.
Il want to talk first, he replied. ~
want to talk first TO some one who Is not
paid for talking to me. i have often
watched you and wondered who you were.
Why do you look so sad, No one is wait
ing for you TO die.
Don't talk like thatl'' she said, and
she bent over him and arranged the cush-
ions for him more comfortably. He look
ed just like great lank tired child.
Are you one Of my wife's friendsf" he
asked.
II don't suppose am, she answered
gently, "but like her, all the same. In
deed like her very much. And thtnt
her beautiful. p"
"Ah, she is beautiful he said eagerly
"Doesn't she look splendid in her furs
BY Jove, you are right She Is beauti
full woman. / am proud of her"
Then the smile faded from his face
Beautiful" he said half to himself
"but hard.
Come, now" said Bernardine, "yor
are surrounded with books and newspa
pers. What shall read to your"
|
cd pecvishly. my tastes are not theil
tastes. f1n't suppose you would care t.
read what want 20 hear"
"well," she said cheerily, "try me
Make your choice"
'very we'll, The Sporting and Dramat
ic, he said. Read every word of that
And about that theatrical divorce case
And every word of that too. Don't yol
| skin and cheat me- -
She laughed and settled herself down Il
amuse him. And he listened contentedly
.'That is something like literature" h
said once OF twice. II can understand pa
pers Of that sort going like wildfrc."
When he was tired Of being read TO, sh
talked to him in a manner that woul'
have astonished the Disagreeablc Man
not of books nor learning, but OF peopl
she had met and Of places she had seen
and there was fun in everything she said
She knew London we'll, and she could tel
him about tho jewish and tho Chimes
quarters and about her adventures In com
pany with a man who took her here, ther