The Middleburgh post. [volume] (Middleburgh, Snyder Co., Pa.) 1883-1916, 1896-11-05
LIZA-A SKETCH.


She was thin slip of n girl, with
pale, sallow checks and figure as fragile
as the flowers she carried in her basket.
1t was her eyes and her hands which
marked her of from the common herd.
Had these been Of regulation pattern,
there would have been nothing to dis.
tinguish her from any dozen Of her COM
panions. But her eyes, which were brown
in color, were large and lustrous and
had n provoking habit Of dropping the
lashcs when she looked Mt one. Whether
calculated coquetry or native born man.
ner chiefly concerned would have puz-
zled an expert 10 decide. That it was
fetching" few men would have ven.
tured to deny. Her hand, small and
well shaped, boasted the taper fingers
and tilbert nails generally associated
with birth and breeding
She sold flowers in Cheapside. Her
station was the steps Of the Peel statue,
and every morning, week in and week
out, as the clocks of the city were strik-
ing 10 she would deposit her basket at
the foot Of the column and prepare for
the business of the day.
From 10 TO @ she piled her wares dill
igently, pushing the sale with all the
tact which life's experience had taught
her and all the wiles which woman's
wit could suggest. But each evening,
when tho weary city was fast emptying
and tho bell of tho great cathedral was
still echoing overhead, her eye would
sweep tho long length Of crowded as
phalt with searching glances, and as
she scanned the teeming multitude
pouring westward n spot Of crimson
would suddenly show in the wan, white
cheeks and the dark brown orbs would
flash and kindle with q curious mystic
light.
He always contrived to bo in Cheap
side between @ and 80. IL was their
custom to walk together down Queen
Victoria street to Blackfriars bridge. At
this point they separatcd-she crossing
TO the Surrey side, he taking turn"
through Fleet street and the Strand be-
fore following in the same direction.
They had commenced the practice in
midwintcr, had continued it throughout
the spring, and now they had reached
midsummer.
From afar she could distinguish his
barrow among the throng of vehicles
which filled tho thoroughfarc When he
had doubled" the corner and got into
the comparative "slack water" of the
churchyard, she crossed over and Joined
him. Anod that was almost impercepti-
bic, answered by smile that was bright
and sunny, was all the recognition that
passed between them.
The girls glance wandered involun-
tarily To the barrow. 1t was the season
for cherries, and she noticed the long
array of empty baskets.
Been 'avin good day, Joe, amt
ycr?'
"Middlin like"
IVY y'ain't on'y one molly left. I"
"P'raps been givin 'em away" Tho
tone was Enthusiastically surly.
For the next 80 yards they walked on
in silence, the girl watching the man
furtively, tho man pushing the barrow
lansusa4.y s-1 CGSana otTsnuousiy A.
ncssisS.
"Ha' yes ttsFs On vos sols ycrr' hs
said presently, a. the girl stepped OF
the pavement 20 avoid collision with q
parcels boy. Tho light that had light
ened them died out of her eyes, the
color which had come into her cheeks
forsook them, her mouth grew hard, and
her face lost at once its youth and ami
nation.
The man continued to stare into va
cancy and walk mechanically after his
barrow.
Il can't do ut, Joe. can't do ut. /
amt got no rest these two nights-but
can't do ut. ,"
The words came with difficulty and
the voice palpitated with emotion.
The man shrugged his shoulders i'm
patiently.
"Wot's the good NV i'm, eh? A
dod'rin ole lunatic. Wot's the use NV
i'm ter anybody? He orter been dead
years ago."
Hes me father, Joe, )" she murmur-
ed reproachiully.
Father be blowed! He's dun lot
fer yer, amt he? Y'ort ter feel proud
NV i'm, didn't yer? Pinchin his gals
money-drinkin till he's got the devils
an talkin tommy rot bout bein gen.
Gilman an the son NV genelman. Wy
he amt got no more decency AN pig.
When he can't gorge hisself no longer.
when your genelman fathers had a
skinful he'll snore by the hour 'longside
IA quart pot. "
He stole glance at the girl out of
the corner Of his eye. The busy, bustling
life of London eddied round them; the
roar of the great Babylon was in their