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

After this scarcely day passed but Bcr-
napdine went 10 see Mr.. Reffold. The
most inexperienced eye could have known
that he WAS becoming rapidly worse. Ma
rie, the chambermaid knew IL and spoke
of it frequently TO Bernardine.
The poor lonely felowi'' she said time
after time.
Every one except Mrs. Reffold seemed to
recognize that Mr.. Reffold's days were
numbered. Either she did not or would
not understand. She made no alteration
I'm the disposal Of her time. Sledging par
ties and skating picnics were the order OF
the day. She was thoroughly pleased with
| herself and received the attentions Of her
admirers as matter Of course. The Pc
tershof climate had got into her head, and
| it is a well known fact that this glorious
air has the effect on some people of Danish
| ing from their minds all inconvenicnt no.
| tions of duty and devotion and all mem
ory Of the special object of their sojourn
In Petcrshof. The coolncss and caimness
with which such people ignore their re-
sponsibilities or allow strangers 10 as
sumo them would be an occasion for hu-
NOR Il it were not an opportunity for in-
dignation, though indeed 1t would take
very exceptionally sober minded specta-
| tor not TO get some fun out of the blissful
characterize the most negligent of care
| takers "
Mrs Reffold was not the only sinner in
this respect. 1t would have been interest
ing TO get together a tea party Of invalids
alone and set the ball rolling about tho
respective bc1aviors OF their respective
friends. Not pleasing chronicle. No very
choice pages 10 add TO the book of real life.
Still valuable items in their way, repre-
sentative of the actual as opposed 10 tho
ideal In most instances there would have
been ample testimony to that cruel mon
ster known as neglect.
Bernardine spoke once TO the Disagree
able Man on this subject. She spoke with
Indignation, and he answered with indif-
ference, Struggling his shoulders
These things occur" he said. 1T Is
not that they are worse here than every
where else. 1t is simply that they are to-
gether in an accumulated mass and as
such strike US with tremendous force. L
myself am accustomed to these exhibitions
of sellshness and neglect. l should be as
tonished IL they did not take place. Don't
mix yourself up with anything. If people
arc neglected, they are neglected, and there
is the end of it. To imagine that you or
are going to do any good by filing up the
breach is simply an insanity leading to un-
necessarily disagreeable consequences.
know you go to see Mr.. Reifold. Take
my advice and keep away"
You speak like a Calvinist," she an
swercd, rather ruflled, with the quintes-
sence of self protectiyeness, and 1 don't
believe you mean word you say"
my dear young woman" he said, "we
are not living in poetry book bound with
gilt edges. We are living in paper
backed volume OF prose. BE sensible. Don't
rufle yourself on account of other people.
Don't even trouble to criticise them. lt
is only nuisance to yourself All this
simply points back to my first suggestion.
Fill up your time with someghobby, cheese
mites or the Influenza bacillus, and then
you will be quite content 10 let people DO
neglected, lonely and to die. You will look
upon it as AN ordinary and natural proc
ess."
She waved her hand as though to stop
him.
There are days," she said, "when
can't bear to talk with you, and this is
one OF them.'
"I am sorry" he answered, quite gently
for him, and he moved away from her and
started for his usual lonely walk.
Bernardine turned home intending to
go to see Mr. Rcffold. He had become
quite attached to her and looked forward
eagerly to her visits. He said her voice
was gentle and her manner quiet; there
was no bustling vitality about her TO irri-
tate his worn nerves He was probably an
empty headed, stupid fellow, but IL was
none the less sad TO see him passing away.
He called her Little Brick. He said that
no other epithet suited her SO exactly. He
was quite satisfied now that she was not
+ paid for coming 10 ECO him. AS for INC
reading, no one could read The Sporting
and Dramatic News and The Era so well
as Little Brick. Sometimes hc spoke with
her about his wife, but only in general
terms of bitterness and not always com
plainingly. She listened and said nothing.
"I'm chap that wants very little. he
said once. "Those who want little get
nothing"
That was all he said, but Bcrnardine
knew TO whom he referred.
Today as Bernardine was on her way
back to the Kurhaus she was thinking
constantly of Mrs. Reffold and wondering
whether she ought TO be made to realize
that her husband was becoming rapidly
worse. While engr-ssod with this thought
a long train of sledges and toboggans pass
ed her. Tho sound of the bells and the
noisy merriment made her look up, and
she saw beautiful Mrs. RefTold among the
pleasure seekers.
IF only dared tell her now, said Ber
nardne to herself, LOUDLY and befor,
them ALL"
Then a moro sensible mood came ovel
her.
, After all, It Is not my affair" she
said.
And the slcdges passed away out o.
, hearing.
When Bernardine sat with Mr. Rcffolt
that afternoon, she did not mention tha
she had seen his wifo lie coughod grca
, deal and seemed 20 be worse than usua
and complained OF fever. But he liked e
, have her and would not hear Of her going
Stay" he said. 1t is not much Of ,
pleasure to you, but IL i>a great p.easur
20 me-"
There was an anxious look on his face
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