The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1900-10-24

news came to her that Dick had sailed.
still she waited. hoping against hope that
he would write; nothing came TO her. lie
had let her drop out OF his HE; she hnd
been the toy of an idle time cast aside
without a second thought
In the bitterness OF her pain the girl
had said all these things To herself: but
today, with cruel distinctncss her mother
had repeated them, taunting her with her
inability TO make lasting impression on
any mans heart telling her that a girl
who has been practically Tilted should be
glad 10 accept any man; that NJ. De Clair
vaux begged 20 be allowed 10 call on
Miss Freda this morning, and that. con-
sequently, IL was necessary for her 20
stay at home and receive him.
Frcda reused herself with an effort b..
mother had mentioned II o'clock as the
time when DeClairvaux would call. What
was she going, TO do? Should she refuse
10 see him, and thus make him UNDER
stand that she would have none OF him?
What a scene awaited her II she did thisp
She shuddered as she thought OF H. Oh.
II only she could hate Dick. utterly de-
spise him, perhaps then the alternative
would he less distasteful. She would be
her own mistress. not be obliged TO so
back TO the life she hated, with it's strug-
giles 70 rufne II with those whose position
and fortunes were secure.
Could she do IL? Dicks blue eyes and
close-cropped head. his hig, manly figure,
rose suddenly before her. She tried to
harden her heart RE had treated her
abominahly; there was no excuse: a man
should choose the girl with whom fiirta-
tion is mere pastimo: he knew she was
not one Of those Why could she not ac-
ccpt DE Clairvaux? He probably cared
for her, or why should he wish to marry
a girl without a pennyg
The clock strGck II; at any moment he
might come. What was she going TO do?
Hastily she dipped her face into cold
water for her eyes were burning with
tears that. did not fall At that moment
a knock came at the door-someoEe was
waiting for mademoisele I'm the SALON.
there was no help, she must 30 down.
Freda's heart beat as she held the door
handle. she knew that IL was no use; the
tall Enelishman with his boyish laugh
would always stand between her and all
others; she would tell DeClairvaux as
kindly as she could. and for the rest-she
turned the handle resolutoly; the sun was
streaming into the stifhy arranged room
and art blinded her II struck her
smiling eyes As she entered, a mans fig
ure came toward her; she put out her
hand quickly.
"No-please!'
"Fredar'
around her. and a face, pale and
thin, bent over her.
"Dick!' she murmured, "Oh, Dick!'
Mrs. Maynard had really remarkable
gift of presence of mind. She was delight
ed to sec Capt. Warrander Ills letters?
How uniucky! Why is IL always just the
letters one cares for above all that get
lost? And poor little Freda. II had been o
dreadful time and the child had nearly
broken her heart for him, Ais well that
ends we'll however, and there was no
manner OF reason why they should not be
married directly.
1t was Mrs. Maynard who broke the
news TO DeClairvaux, and. being wom-
an OF tact, she did IL I'm such way that
the young man left her with his mind
opened few horizons.
Freda accepted her mothers congratu-
lations rather coldly, and wished that
fate had not bestowed upon her good
memory.-London World.