The Delta independent., 1898-06-17


tered, for there was no. line from
their lords.
But Mrs. Barry's face was clouded
too "Look at this" shs said and held
ont . dingy missive with the Cheyenne
postmark and n scrawling superscrip-
tion, Miss Nath. Baird. in caro- Of
Mrs. Majer Barry, Fort Russell. Z"
"Once before letter came for her from
town, but it was addressed in scholar
ly hand, and / remember now how agi-
tated she was nt sight of it. But this is
the work Of some uneduoated person. 1t
seems Irish somehow, that in care Of
Mrs. Majer' especially. What can we
do-what shall we do to help her? II
she would only conflde in some one!"
But before evening is was definitely
settled that that was the one thing poor
Nathalie could not or would not do.
Mrs Barry sent the letter to her room
with the message that Mrs. Freeman
was there to take her driving and
would she not come down. And the
maid returned. saying Hiss Baird was
not well enough to go. She had been
lying on hsr he'd. tho girl admitted, for
she had to wait some littlo time before
the door was unlocked. Then Mrs.
Freeman penned little note, Dearest
Nathalie won't you see me Just min
ute or two?' But the maid came back
In Eve minutes with the pcnciled words.
PLEASE. please do no: think I am nm
grateful for all your patience and kind
ness, but indeed am not e. to Geo any
one just now"
And 30 tbs friends had gone sadly
away without the longed fer word with
her. and then Mrs. Stanuard came to
read to the invalid. but the books were
set aside and the two took counsel to.
gether ~ to what should be done. They
sent tea and an appetizing luncheon up
to her room, and the maid brought tac,;
her best thanks and said that sho would
try to eat. She was writing letter
then. But when two houfs later they
sent up to 80 how she was the maid re-
ported that the luncheon was untouch-
cd: even tho tea seemed to have been
neglected. They heard Nathalie's step
% tho landing above, a. IN troubled
6lence the ladies looked at each other
- w. maid stood patiently by. They
heard IL light and almost stealthy ON
ehe little landing to the stairway, and
18Th looked eagerly to the door Ms
sAough sxpectant Of her coming, but she
0svef neared 1t. Without an instnnt's
falter the girl hastesed through the hall
and out Of the house.
"She has been answering that note"
sAtd Mrs. Barry tho moment she bad
dismissed the servant. "and now. trust
ing to no one, has gone to put /. in tho
mail Tag herself.''
It was late when Nathalie returned
20 the house, and this time she came
straight TO her protectors side, knelt at
the sofa, and, never waiting for well
coming word or caress, tool. the slender
white hand In both her own, bowed
over it almost humbly IA moment, and
then, lifting her head. throwing 1t back
with gesture almost desperate, abruptly
spoke:
Mrs. Barfy-I-I've got TO say it
I can be Of no further use to you now.
I'm bringing trouble, yes, even shame.
10 you who have been SO loving and
kind to me and to your friends who
hsve boon SO eager to help me. I'm not
1t 70 stay. Do mo ono last kindness.
Do00 ne home"
Her fingers were working nervously.
Her eyes were hard and hot and dry.
Eheeo wAs no weakness, no indecision,
- melting now. The girl had spent
long hoaFs that day looking her trouble
h the face and had made her resolution.
he was set and determined. 1t was not
- suppliant she knclt. Il was to urge,
alnoss 70 demand.
"Naflsalie, child, Z" began Mrs. Barry,
you do yourself infinite wrong. There
hes bsen no talk Of shame. no thought
q even blame attached to you, but those
who love you aud would be your friends
~ troubled because Of your trouble"
MN Barry, don't tell me there has
Due bsen svil report, IL not shameful re-
poRt. Gan not see? Why otherwise
1hoald Mn Turner and Mrs. Raymond
turn their heads away ami refuse to
Bsco9nise me on the walk? Why should
Mis- Maynard avoid meeting me- as she
has twice done, shrinking back into her
sass - though I wero-con tamination.
There hos been talk-cruel falkland I
wurss-is that much that 10 said can
Dsvse deay. In my misesy I've tried to
~ 10 from everybody. bat he has been
Dsesely reckieA He has dogsed and
0aesd ed followed everywhere, even
bss. Mn. Bany-Mrs. Barry. there IL
MY ous plsos on earth where I can
pvuid him, and that IL home. Send mo
lhsra = Pity sssd me home"
ASd then q last tho oversbargsd
bsses gsVs Wy. The poor girl burst
- Q pnssioo Of ssarn. and tsrning she
lhsuw b9uslf prone upDo the rug II the
~ ~, bssSsd hsr fsSe 10 kes arms
- 6ob6sd Mks . spirit broken child.
Yos several misutss the storm of her
Dnm1csses weepise saged usheoken.
- Wus vsAk and exAasstsd. weak