The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1894-05-21

Little Brick" said Mr.. Reffold. ''isnt
II nice to have Winifred herei And have
been so disagreeable and snappish."
"Oh, we won't say anything about that
now, said Mrs. Reffold, smiling sweetly.
But I've said am sorry" he contin-
ued ''And one can't do more"
NO" said Bcrnardine, who was amused
at tho notion Of Mr.. Relfold apologizing
TO Mrs Reffold, and of Mrs Reffold posing
as the gracious forgiven, "one can't do
more" But she could not control her feel
.ngs, and she laughed.
You seem rather merry this afternoon"
Mr.. Reifold said in "A reproachful tone OF
voice.
Yes" she said And she laughed again.
Mrs. Reffold's forgiving graciousness had
altogether upset her gravity.
You migi3 at least tell US the joke"
Mrs Rcffold said.
Bernardine looked at her hopelessly and
laughed again.
II have been developing photographs all
the afternoon, (" she said, "and suppose
the closeness of the air and the badness OF
nv negatives have been too much for me-
Anyway know must seem very rude"
She recovered herself after that and tried
hard not To think OF Mrs. Reffold as the
dispenser Of forgiveness, although it was
some time before she could look at her
hostess without wishing TO laugh. The
corners of her mouth twitched, and her
brown eyes twinkled mischievously, and
she spoke very rapidly, making fun OF her
first attempts at photography and criti-
cising herself SO comically that both Mr..
and Mrs. Reffold were much amused.
All the same Bernardine was relieved
when Mrs. Reffold went TO fetch some
silks and left her with Mr.. Reffold.
II 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
done began 70 find fault with her.
don't know how long i should not have
gone on grumbling but that / suddenly
recollected what you taught me--that we
were not 20 come down like sledge ham
mers ON each others failings. When I
remembered that, it was quite easy to for
give all the neglect and tnoughtlessness.
Since you have talked 70 me, Little Brick,
everything has become easier to me-"
lit 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 neau.
If / knew of any poor unfortunate
devil that wanted to be eased and com
fortetln he said, II 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 II. y
He took her hand and raised it reyerent-
ly 10 his lips.
Il say" he continued, "tell my wife II
made me happy TO have her with me this
afternoon Then perhaps she will stay In
another time should like her to know.
And she was sweet in her manner wasn't
sheS And, by Jove, she is beautiful
am glad you have seen her here today. II
must be dull for her with an invalid like
me- And !. know am irritable. Go and
tell her that she made me happy, will
your"
The little bit OF happiness at which the
poor fellow snatched seemed to make him
more pathetic than before. Bernardint
promised to tell his wife and went off to
find her, making as an excuse book
which Mrs. ReffolG had offered TO lend
her Mrs. Relfold was in her bedroom.
She asked Bcrnardine to sit down while
she searched for the book. She had q very
gracious manner when she chose. You
are looking much better, Miss Holme, y
she said kindly. II cannot help noticing
your face. 1t looks younger and brighter
The bracing 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 / shall live, but never bs
strong. He settles every question of that
sort TO his own satisfaction, but not always
TO the satisfaction of other people,"
He is curious person." MRS. Reffold
said, smiling, Though / must Say he II
not quite as gruff as he used TO be. YOU
seem to be good friends with him."
She would have liked to say more or
this subject, but experience had taught
her that Bernardine was not to be trified
with.
Il don't know about being goof
friends" Bernardine said, but have 4
great sympathy for him. l know mysel
what 1t is to be cut off from work and nc
tive life. i have been through misery
But mine is nothing To his. &tlaf
She rose to 20, but Mrs Rcffold detain
ed her.
Don't go yet," she said. 1T 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 horriC
! place." she said suddenly. And hav,
! had most wearying afternoon. Mr. Ref
I fold seems to be more irritable every day
| 1t is very hard that / should have to bea
| it."
Bernardine listened to her in astonish
| ment.
Yes" she added, II am quite wor
out He never used to be SO irritable. !
is all very tircsome. 1t is quite telling o.
my health"
She looked the picture Of health.
Bcrnardine gasped, and Mrs RefYol
continued:
His grumblng this afternoon has bee
incessant--so much so that he himsel
was ashamed and asked me TO forgive him
You heard him. didn't your"
YES, heard him." Bernardine said.
"And Of course forgave him at once,
Mrs. Reffold said piously. Naturally on
would do that, but tho vexation remain