Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1900-05-23
OUT IN THE COLD,

luR VINES anu IdIC tlOpitut PiohSSs Eva
Ray, fair young girl, meanly clad, stood
among the flowers sobbing bitterly, max
ing vivid contrast to the brightness and
grandeur all about her.
She was so tired, and her cousin, Re-
gina, had been finding fault with all her
work.
She was a motherless girl who had
been the idol of an indulgent father until
three years before. Then he had died,
leaving her penniless and dependent upon
proud, wealthy uncle, who only endured
her presence. to make her mere servant.
Books of which she was so fond Were
forbidden her, and the piano she dared
not open. Her cousin hated her for her
pretty face, her graceful form and beau
tiful, tapering, pink tipped fingers and
made her a slave to every caprice in con-
sequence.
One could not help plying her as she
sat there sobbing; at least Harry Morton
could not. as a servant ushered him in.
and he came suddenly upon her. He was
one of her cousin Resina's visitors, and
had often noticed this fair haired girl go
ing quietly about the house attending to
various duties. He went quietly to her
side and said softly:
81 am so sorry for you, little one"
She raised her great blue eyes, with
the tears still trembling on the long.
brown lashes, and when she saw who il
was she gave little cry of surprise as
well as of pleasure. for she had secretly
admired this Mr. Morton who visited her
cousin.
"Can you not go away from here-can
you not get something else to doT' he
said in hurried and perplexed manner.
II would not stand such treatment
Now, have an aunt who has two little
girls. Could you not give them music
and drawing lessons or something of the
kind? Do not turn away. i am very
much in earnest and want to help you
There was n rustic in the doorway. He
let go of her hand, which he had taken. in
his ardor, and she sprang. to her feet,
both feeling like two guilty children.
Regina swept into the room, smiled
sweetly in greeting to Harry Morton, but
said in q severe tone to Eva, while a
dangerous light flashed in her great black
eyes:
'You are wanted in the. kitchen"
Poor Eva hurried from the room,
knowing that the end would come now,
for her cousin had surely heard all that
had been said, and, even had she not,
she would never be forgiven for speaking
to Harry Morton.
1t was dark when her cousin sent for
her to come to her room, and, after open
ing all her walls of wrath upon her, or
dered her to leave the house Immediately
and never darken the door again.
Eva went from the room almost wild
81, hot cba a CT in
that great city, must go out in the dark
and cold, with no roof to shelter her. She
packed her scanty wardrobe in satchel
and started out. oh, could she ever for
get that night, with her wanderings up
and down unknown streets, until brain
and feet were alike weary, or how the
rude crowd had loudly laughed and jos
tied her by, She went to policeman al
last and begged for place to go.
Her pleadings touched his heart, and
he conducted her to a boarding house.
The room she was shown to was small
and anything but clean, but to Eva's
tired eyes and limbs it was delightful
haven of rest.
No matter how great the sorrow, sleep
comes soon to young, strong minds, and
Eva's head had hardly touched the pill
low when she was far in the land OF
dreams. When she awoke, the sun was
shining brightly in the little window.
Life had been hard for her before. but
now it began in terrible earnest. She
must find employment that day or starve
Fortunately the world is not all so bad
as we would make it, and before night
fall a kind lady had taken pity on Eva'i
helpless condition and installed her al
nursery governess in her own home.
1t was pleasant task and pleasant
home, and Eva was quite happy with
her rosy checked charges. But some
times her thoughts would wander away
| from that to dark, handsome face, witt
| glorious black eyes. She could feel AGAR
the touch of his hand and hear the mu
steal voice saying:
81 am sorry for you, little one"
She wondered IL he remembered her
and If he was sorry he saw her no more.
She was out in the park one day will
the children when phaeton with two
gentlemen in it passed her. One Of then
raised his hat.
The blood surged to her face in an in
slant and great tide of JOY swept ovel
her heart. II was Harry Morton.
He had, indeed, remembered her. The
horses stopped. and in minute more h
was at her side. holding her hands ant
saying:
"You naughty girl, where have yor
hidden yourself these three long months
And I hunting for you everywhere"
Eva told him all, and when the little
| girls went home they had story to tel
their mother about a great big man whs
kissed Eva and made her cry.
All was explained the next day to thu
wondering lady by Harry Morton him
self, and. she became more interested II
her governess than ever when she found
she was going to marry wealthy anc
cultivated gentleman.
A month later there was a quiet wed
ding nj her house. and then Eva wen'
away To grace a stately brownstone man
sion. She had hosts of friends, but the
once penniless, homeless girl who was
turned out on the street has never YET
returned her cousin Regina's bridal cal
or deigns TO notice her when they meet
New York News.
Life In East London.