The Dickinson press., 1894-08-18
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"S.A uS HySeAI. 1Ou necOnt come.
Needn't come! But don't like your
going out ut night alone, dear. Besides
why should you go alone?'
For wOman's reason. Because ]
want to. Now don't be angry, Van.
You must let me have my own way.
won't come to any harm. I promise
you. And Van gave In, Of course
But he had a fresh renlonstrance to
make when he saw Julia wrap herself
In Il faded old black shawl, and nut on
bonnet which had long been seen not
only Its best but pretty nearly its
worst days.
What on earth are you putting on
those wrctchcd old things for?" he in.
CURED. I'VE are poor enough. goodness
knows but YOU must have some re.
spectacle clothes left, anyhow"
For the sake of economy. I don't
care how look about here" and with
that she hurried out.
Julia walked rapidly looking neither
to the right nor left. She feared il she
proceeded slowly, or hesitated, the cour-
age to carry out the resolution she had
made might ooze away.
AT last she arrived near her father'a
house. handsome corner building. 1t
was about 8 o'clock. and old Sam and
his guests. for he was giving Il dinner
party. We're in the brilliantly lighted
dining room.
Sam Sladgcr had changed a good deal
since his daughters departure from
home. He looked aged and hagsard.
He missed her sorcly. and yearnexl to
have her back with him; but he had
stuck StubbOrnly to his determination
to have nothing farther to do with her.
He had found. too, to his bitter an
noyance that the opinion of nearly all
his friends was that he had treated his
daughter with undue harshness and Sc
verify. not to say actual cruelty. He
feared that vandeleur might be driven
by poverty to resort to some shady
means of getting Il living that might
present themselves, and he was filled
with Il vague terror that he might there
by find himself-the respected Sladger
involved indirectly in some scandal
brought about by his son-in-law.
The old man then. was not happy,
But on this particular evening he was
less unhappy than he had been for a
considerable time. for among the guests
was one Of the ''nobs' lie worshipped.
"Well. as l was saying" remarked
the aristocratic gentleman, continuing
a conversation. there was quite a
scene. Regular excitement; everybody
upset. l don't say there was anybody
in particular to blame But scene is
a thing l cannot really stand; and so
I've never been to the house SINCE"
There was Il murmur Of applause at
this very spirited and aristOcratic way
of treating the affair. which had hardly
died away whom Slo(1ppr's f1ca Sl,16an
ly became ashy pale.
He hurriedly drank a glass of wine,
and listened with fcverish eagerness,
for 1t was something he had heard
which had caused the blood quickly to
leave his cheeks. Yes, there was no
mistake. Tremulous and low at first,
but growing louder and clearer now,
wOnan's voice singing a simple bal
lad could be heard.
There was nothing much in that to
other hearers, but there was a good
deal in it to old Sladger. 1t was his
daughters voice. Surely he could not
be mistaken. Making some trivial ex-
cuse for going to the window, he raised
the curtains and looked out. There
before his very doorstep was small
crowd; one of those crowds which
spring up in New York as If by magic;
and in the center of it was young
woman wrapped III a faded and old
black shawl, with Il patched and shriv-
elled bonnet OH her head. In spite Of
this it was clear from her general
appearance and the timidity Of her
manner that She was not woman
accustomed to get her living by singing
in the streets. Some in the crowd
were sympathetic. others were mirth.
iul, and others again, merely looked
on and listened, and wondered vague.
ly.
Old Sam knew her in a moment,
He had not mistaken the voice. 1t was
his daughter he saw before him. He
looked out ut her for some moments,
unable to decide how to act. He must
not have Il scene, and he must have
his daughter. IIe cursed himself for
having held out so long. This sort Of
thing must be put stop to at all haz.
ards. His daughter singing in the
streets! 1t would certainly come to be
known and talked about The scandal
would he too great
Leaving the dining room with as COM
posed an air as lie could assume under
the circumstances lie went quietly to
the hall door, opened it and passed out.
AS he did SO the song came to an end.
Stepping up to his daughter who looked
at him with steady eyes, he said aloud:
Very well done, young woman
very well done! You must be tired.
Come in and take little refreshMent? 2"
And then in Il tone that reached only
her ears. For heavens sake, Julia,
come into the house and stop this hor.
rihlc m"squerading! You'll disgrace
ne forever. Don't hesitate or make a
scene! ! wouldn't have a scene here
for anything. I'll take back all wrote
you. ! dare say your husbands a very
good fcllow-in his way. Ill make
friends with him, too. You shan't want
for money, either of you" And 60
saying the old man draw her into the
house.