The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1894-05-28
CHAPTER XIV.

TIE pIsAGBEEABLE MAN GIVES UP HIS
FREEDOM
The morning after Bernardine began
hor book she and old Zerviah were sitting
together In the shop. He had come from
the little inner room where he had been
reading Gibbon for the last two hours. He
still held tho volume in his hand, but he
did not continue reading; he watched her
arranging the pages Of dilapidated book.
Suddenly she looked up from her work.
Uncle Zerviah," she said brusqusly.
you have lived through a long life and
must have passed through many different
experiences. Was there ever a time when
you cared for people rather than booksi"
YES" he answered a little uneasily
He was not accustomed to have questions
asked of him.
Tell me about it," she said.
1T was long ago, I" he said half dreami-
ly, long before married Malvina- And
she died. That was ALL /"
That was all, T" repeated BernSrdine,
looking at him wonderingly. Then she
drew nearer TO him.
And you have loved, Uncle Zerviahi
And you were lovedi''
"Yes, indeed, he answered softly.
"Then you would not laugh at me IL I
werc to unburden my heart to youi'
For answer she felt the touch of his old
hand on her head. And thus encouraged
she told him the story Of the Disagreeable
Man. She told him how she had never be-
fore loved any one until she loved the Dis
agreeable Man.
IL was all very quietly told In a simple
and dignifled manner. Nevertheless, for
all that IL was an unburdeninQ Of her
hoart, her listener being an old scholar
who had almost forgotten the very name
of love
She was still talking and he was still
listening when the shop door creaked.
Zervish crept quietly away, and Bernar-
dine looked up.
The Disagreeable Man stood at the coun-
ter.
You little thing" he said, 'rI have
come to see You. II is eight years since
was in England"
Bernardine leaned over the counter.
And you ought not be here now," she
said, looking at his thin face He seemed
TO have shrunk away since she had last
seen him.
II am free TO do what I choose, 4" he
said. my mother is dead"
II know" Bernardine said gently.
. But you are not free"
He made no answer to that, but slipped |
INTO the chair.
''You look tired" he said. "what have
you been doing'''
Il have been dusting the books" she |
answered, smiling at him. "You remem- |
Der you told me l should be content to do |
hat. The very oldest and shabbiest have |
had my tenderest care. found the shop |.
n disorder YOU see IL now"
II should not call it particularly tidy
low," he said grimly. "Still, suppose
'ou have done your best Well, and what
lsei"
Il have been trying to take care of my
Id uncle, she said I'VE are just begin
ling to understand each other a little, and
le Is beginning to feel glad to haze me-
When first discovered that, the days be-
anne easier to me. 1t makes us into dig
ified persons when we find out that there
) place for us to fill"
Some people never find IL out" he said.
Probably, like myself, they went on for
long time without caring" she an
wered II think have had more luck
han deserve"
Well" said the Dsagreeable Man,
and you are glad to take up your life
gainf"
No." sho said quietly. "I have not
ot rs far as that yet But believe that
fter some little time may be glad-I
ope SOL am working for that Some
mes i begin 20 have keen interest in
verything. / wake up with an enthusi-
SIN. After about two hours have lost 1t
GAIN"
IL |
/, too, know what that is But you will
1t back Co gladness--not the same kind
satisfaction as before, but some other
that compensation which is
I'D TO bo included In the scheme"
And have begun my book" she said,
ointing to n few sheets lying on the coun-
r. that Is to say, have written the
'ologue"
Then the dusting Of the books has not
lfiicodt" he said, scanning her curiously.
II wanted not 20 think Of myself, Bor-
irdine said. Now that have begun 10
shall enjoy going on with IL. hope IL
III bo "A companion TO me-"
II wonder whether you will make a fail
'c or a success Of iti" he remarked. II
ifh could have seen.
$50 you will, " she said 1T shall finish
and You will read IL in Petcrshof"
II shall not DC going pack 20 Petershof,"
said. "Why should | go there nowi"
For the same reason that you went
ere eight years ago." she said.
II went there for my mothers sake"
said.
Then you will 60 there now for my
ke, " she said delberSely.
He looked up quickly.
Little Bernardine," he cried, "my 1T
Bernsrdine--is 10 possible that you care
,at bocQqsS OF msi"