The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1896-04-23
,neliness which doubled all hyr SC

loneliness which doubled all her sor-
row. 1t was her fault, and she was
Justly punished; but she would bear her
punishment as brsvely as possible.
She rose at last, and having made up
the sinking fire, began to look upon the
more practical side of the NATTER Hav-
ing but few shillings in hand, it was
essential that she should raise some
money on which to live while she
sought for work. 1t was not without
much thought and many bitter Sigh
that she decided in what way this might
be done. She must sell the piano!
1t was very grievous, very hard to Do,
but in the end that would have to so
from her possession-with the rest.
| She was too tired, altogether too corr
| fused and overcome, to set about the
business that day. She could not face
the inevitable curiosity of her neigh
bors; she could not, indeed, bave
dragged her aching limbs as far as the
auctioneer's to whom she meant to 20.
In spite of her care, however, the
| village regarded her with curiosity Is
she set out next morning. Down tie
little street she passed, looking neithkr
10 the right nor to the left. The PRIZE
of which her neighbors had accused her
certainly forbade her to ask their pity,
sorely though she needed it now.
Mr.. Meade. the auctioneer who had
known Jane Herring many years, was
most kindly sympathetic, and promised
to do his best to get her good price for
the piano, even adding that he would
buy it himself rather than let hexSose
| by the sale. -fA<
Then she went home again. 1t gave
her strange pang to enter this little
house i'll which so many of her wears
had been spent; but there had been
some comfort in the kindness and SYM
pathy of Mr.. Meade, and Jane did her
best to be quiet and brave.
| 1t was when the twilight began to
fall, and she fell to thinking how soon
she must part with the first of her
household gods that her courage gave
way. She sat herself down before the
old piano and bowed her head upon it's
polished boards. The sense of lone
illness would be put away no longer;
the bitter grief of parting would find re-
lief in tears.
1t was quite dark in the little kitchen.
save for a few glowing embers on the
hearth, when she rose at last, stiff,
cramped, wearied out with grief. She
lit the lamp, and had just drawn the
curtains, when she was startled by a
knocking at the door.
"They've come-they've come-for
the piano." she gasped aloud. "Ah,
no, no, no, cannot let you go!"
She spread her hands on the top Of
the old instrument, staring wildly at
the door. In her nervous state, the
sudden sound had startled her out of
her usual quiet of manner, and her
knees were trembling violently. For
a moment she stood thus. unable to
move. Then, when the knock was re-
peated, she turned slowly to the door,
and opened it.
MAY L speak with you, Miss Her.
ring?"
Jane did not answer. She stood quite
still, and her swollen, tear stained face
grew deadly white. She tried to speak.
but she could not, and then, in her con-
| fusion and amazement, she covered her
face with her hands and sobbel ah3ud.
Phineas Balm-it was he who had
knocked-came into the kitchen, and
shut the door after him.
lin afraid startled you" he said.
somewhat awkwardly. "And comm.
as | do, in the midst of your grief; but
| wanted to be the first to bid. if Won
don't object"
Jane Herring struggled afresh 10
find words
"I-l-I-oh, dear-I-"
There, there-you're upset, and 10
wonder. Sit you down, Miss Herring. -
Phineas laid his rough hand gently
upon her arm, and led her to a chair.
Then he stood beside her in silence.
You must forgive me-" she said at
last, when her sobbng had grown
quieter; 81 am in terrible trouble"
Il know it. Mr.. Meade has Just told
me about-about the pianer. I'd like
to give you a good price for it, if I may
Jane Herring looked at him for the
first time
""You?" she cried.
Yes, me-"
There was look of tenderest com.
passion in his eyes, look which made
her start and tremble.
"Iou-you are very good" she said,
rising hastily, and moving to where the
instrument stood. It's but poor old
thing, after all. Look at it."
He came and stood beside her as she
displayed the keyboard, but he was not
looking at it. He was looking at the
woman of his early choice; he was not
ing how time had altered her, how sor.
row had marked the face he had loved
50 well.
As he did not answer she looked up.
1T has grown shabbier since YOU saw
it last she said. 1T is not worth
much, l fear"
1T is worth great deal to me-"
He spoke very quietly, and his grave
eyes met hers with look which re-
called the past more wildly than ever.