Barbour County index. [volume] (Medicine Lodge, Kan.) 1880-current, 1894-12-26

heart, and l soon become an inveterate
bachelor, and very selfish man-with
only my own pleasure to consider and
no one to care for! But then l had
friends; such good friends, even in my
own house, in whose home there Is al
ways a place for me. Some men are
far less fortunate.
And so sit and forget even time.
In week and half it will be New
Years. l am invited to my friends
for the Christmas dinner day after to-
morrow.
The bell rings suddenly and with I'M
wonted violence. Who can it be? Rosa,
my old housel1eeper-she has been
thirty-seven years with my family
opens the sitting room door and says:
please, sir. lady wants to see YOU
LET her come in, Rosa" l rise to
meet the visitor. But flush of an
noyance comes to my face. 1t is my
third floor lodger!
What can l do for you, madam"
"a great deal, sir. Please, oh please
take back the order to send my sister
her, and it would kill her"
l look at the tall, dignified figure be-
fore me. She stands, because l have
not offered her seat! Where is my
courtesy? / am ashamed, and hastily
push an arm chair toward her.
mo. thank you; my sister is i'll, and
needs me. l have only come to tell
you that she can not leave the house. >
Her tone vexes me, it is so decided.
Il beg your pardon, she must 60
for 1 do not wish to have death in
my house, especially not in these days,
when my friends"
But, heavens! What is that! The
woman reels, and l have barely time
to prevent her from falling to the
ground. What a brute l am! How
could l speak so carelessly about a
death, which would leave her all
alone, and take from her her dearest
forgive myself.
Rose is near at hand, and with he1
help am soon relieved by seeing Miss
Casanova open her eyes again. AS
soon as she is able to stand, she SAYS
in low but cold voice: Il am sorry.
Pardon the trouble l have made you,
SIR" and without another word she
walks out like one in a dream, with a
terribly bitter smile on her lips.
felt so guilty that stood like {
statue, without word of apology
When she was out of sight
felt veXed at the part l had
played in this tragedy, and t.
console myself 1 went down to my
friends to talk it over Just as | wa.
about to pull their bell, the door wa,
opened by the maid, who was let
ting out messenger with some parcel
was such an everyday guest that she
allowed me to step into the parlor, ant
went about her own work This room
was divided from a second one by only
portiere. Hearing voices in the mex
room, concluded that there was som,
visitor there, and sat down, busy will
my own perriexity, and waiting for tn,
lady of the house. Ten minutes mus
| have passed when was recalled to my
self by the sound of my own name.
rose involuntarily, but no one came il
and | sat down again, while the vote,
| went on:
Il am sure don't mind the harmless
old fool, mamma,-but can't we hav,
one New Years dinner without him
We need another lady, if you insist OF
having him, and our dining-room is no
very large"
But, child" hear the mother say
chow can we offend him? 1 do no
care to have him, but he always send
such nice presents and flowers. An,
then he might raise the rent. Par;
says we must be polite"
''Oh, bother!" says the daughter
But hear nothing more; steal ava
like thief, and close the door gentl,
behind me, as l return to my bachelo
apartment. How poor, how lonely
am! My flowers, my presents, buy
few smiles. a friendly word. 1t is un
oearable, the sorrow that has strucl
my heart. Since my dear mother
death, though it is long ago, hav
never felt so lonely and forlorn as now
must go out, / must walk, must Sc
people. rush down the stairs, and il
my impetuosity nearly knock dow
two men who are coming up.
The janitor's wife directs them ur
stairs, and turning to me. she adds
1.-THE ambulance.
Oh, horrors! The ambulance stand
at the door, and those two men are &C
ing for the poor girl, according to m
orders. If they reach the door befor
do, the shock of those well-know-
uniforms may kill her. forget m
age and my usually dignifed walk
and hurry upstairs, calling all tn
way: stop! Wait, Do not go on." an
heavc sigh of Intense relief as on
man turns his head. They wait
actually believe with suspicion that
am out of my mind, for hold my ha
In my hand, and must look almost vii
with excitement
Please step in here" say, and
open my own door.