Marble Hill press., 1895-01-03

'!Oh. bOther! says the daugnter.
But hear nothing more; steal away i
like thief. and close the door gently
behind me, as return to my bachelor
apartment. How poor, how lonely L
am. My flowers, my presents, buy
few smiles. friendly word. 1t Is un-
bearable. the sorrow that has struck
nv heart Since my dear mothers
death, though it is long ago, have
never felt so lonely and forlorn as now.
I must 90 out. | must walk, l must see
people. rush down the stairs, ana IN
nv impetuosity nearly knock down
two men who are coming up.
The ianitor's wife directs them up
stairs, and turning to me she adds
ssThe ambulance"
Oh. horrors! The ambulance stands
at the door. and those two men are go
ing for the poor girl according to my
orders. If they reach the door before
I do. the shock of those well-known
uniforms may kill her. l forget my
age and my usually dignified walk
and hurry upstairs, calling all the
way: stop! Wait! Do not go on!' and
! I heave a sigh of intense relief as one
man turns his head. They walt
actually believe with Il suspicion that |
am out of nv mind. for hold my hat
in my hand and must look almost wllo
with excitement.
please step in here" l say, and l
open my own door.
Rose bring two glasses OF wine. oit
down. my good fellows. am happy
to tell YOU chat the call for the ambu-
lance was mistake. Allow me to pay
YOU for your trouble. and tell them al
the hospital that it was all misunder-
standing.
The men accepted my explanation
thanking me politely, and depart with
lurking doubt as to my sanity. But
what do | care? The poor girl is safe.
I wonder how she is. Perhaps she
knows of my heartlessness. and breads
the arrival of the ambulance. VIII
Miss Casanova ever forgive me? She
looks so proud. like a queen, more than
like breadwinner.
Rosa l try to look unconcerned'
'.how is the sick girl?'
Shall T inquirer" says the good old
soul. with glad ring in her voice.
And without waiting for an answer
she hurries from the room, and L hear
her speak in subdued voice to some
one outside. She returns to tell me 1t
l is the doctor, who has just gone III TO
?" prescribe for the invalid.
Tell him to come and see me, Rosa,
- when he comes out.
n Something has lighted up her dear
5. old face. and her eyes look kindly into
mine. but she talks little. | am less
e lonesome when l look at her, for she
e loves her cranky master. | know.
e Presently the doctor is ushered into
" nv library. l find that he is an ac
a qua intance of mine.
IL How is the invalid?'
st ..She has pneumonia, but l am glat
II to see slight change for the bette
tonight
er Thank God!" l say with profound
IS ly sincere accent.
Is Il did not know you were acquainted
rs with Them
V! Poor girls! do not know them, bu
u. | am sorry for the poor sufferer
le The sufferer, as you call her, is tn
a least to be pitied. The older one is
heroine. l knew her in Florence
a when she was still the mucu-sough
" daughter of the rich banker Casanova
T He had a second wife and a little gil
,d by this second marriage. Do you n
to member her complete ruin? 1t wa
ny followed by his death. His wife b
as came an invalid from sorrow, and Mis-
as Casanova, left with two helpless pei
at- pie on her Lands, sought in vain. IL
Ell. paving work. Florence attracted he
he and she decided to try place whe1
nd no one knew of her former life. ST
om began at the very beginning, living
ly life of sacrifice. but soon reaching
.xt better position by her industry and IL
ne telligence. The mother died, blessin
the faithful heart, sure that the del
cate child left in her sisters care Wou
be safe. Yes, she has been safe, and
shall spare no trouble to cure her"
And these are the women l wantt
to send away!"
thanked the doctor, and begge
him to let me know if could do an
thing for my dodgers. Then, under
sudden impulse, l confessed to the DO
tor my heartlessness, and the story
the ambulance, and how l had deep
regretted my behavior. Would Mi
i Casanova ever forgive me?
The doctor looked almost severe, al
rising he said: "Try and make amen'
by leaving the two ladies from tn
- time unmolested."
He said good-by without much &C
diality.
The next day bouquet was brougf
of beautifully fresh cut-roses. Itw
, intended for my friends down stair
~, but I sent it to Miss Casanova.
pNx