The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1901-04-12
{ I }

TOO heartless."
Nora Clavening spoke Indignantly
Der cheeks flushed, and her dark eyes
turned angrily on her sister.
They were wonderfully alike as far
as height, build and features went Dut
lheir coloring was different
Bella was fair, with light, golden
hair, and forget-me-not blue eyes
while Nora's eyes were blue, TOO, Dut
almost violet IN hue, and her hair was
he shade Of ripe chestnuts, and her
skin less dazzlingly fair than her SIS
ter's. Their voices again had a mar
yelous resemblance; IL seemed as II
the same person were speaking when
the one ceased and the other spoke.
They were twins, which accounted for
the strong physical resemblance That
they bore each other, but their char
acters were the very opposite, ana
their tastes also.
Bella stood moodily by the hrc
shifting the little ornaments on the
mantlepiece with restless fingers.
Her sister continued: "lou wrote
me such glowing letters Of Paul, Civ
ing me TO understand he was every
thing that was perfect, and now
Now he Is not so; that's ALL in
terrupted Bella nippantly. How can
I be expected to marry a blind mani
The thing is impossible; ne went away
full OF hope that this wonderful Ger
man oculst would cure him; now, you
see"-holdng out n lettcr-"hc writes
telling me he has returned totally
blind. and with little hope OF ever re-
gaining his sight, and begs that ! will
go and see him as soon as possible
How can /? what am 10 sayF
What are you to say" passionately.
why, that you will marry him as
soon as possible; that you Will Ice eyes
TO him now, and by your love and care
will try to compensate 10 him for the
terrible loss Of his sight" answered
Nora.
What pity il wasn't you instead
of me 10 whom he was engaged. It's
no use. Nora, the thing must be at an
end, and what | want you 10 do is TO
go and break II to him. II you won't
suppose must write. for it's no use
my seeing him; / can't do that, 1t
would only mean n painful scene,
which may as well be avoided" and
Bella gave an inpatient kick with her
daintily-shod foot to coal that had
fallen from the bars.
II break il to him? But he does not
know me; you forget I've not been
l1
THAT doesn't matter; he knows you
from your letters, which lie was al
ways interested in. and said he
thought you must be charming. You
must do II, Nora; you have tact and
can soften the blow. for he'll feel it
pretty badly. I'm afraid; still, how can
he expect any girl TO marry him now
Fancy being tied to blind man! Oh,
couldn't face such a future"
"Yor are cruel as well as heartlesS,
and I'm sorry for the man who marrics
you. Yes ! will go, and I'll do my best
for him. ! must ask for his sister, |
suppose; she lives with him. doesn't
she?" demanded Nora
"Yes. she is faded and forty. and ca.
PRECIOUS, but not a bad sort. although
she never took to me, but was only
civil for her brothers sake, whom she
adorcs. What are you going to sayE'
Heaven knows calculated Nora
fastening her sailor hat on with jet
pin.
well, do il gently" called her sister
as the other girl opened the glass door
leading into the garden and started
on her thankloss errand.
"She might have shut the door
muttered Bella, with a shiver. How
cold it Is FOR May" she said, rs shC
closed the glass door ana turned bach
to the fire. She drew low chair clos,
up to the fender. ana, stretching on
her hand for n new magazine was
soon immersed in the contents Of M
Interesting article on coming fashions
"Will you 20 in and see him at once
Tile news you bring is only what
expected; your sister never reall!
cared for Paul; she thought she did
and admired him, and was hattCvCd h.
his attentions. hut there was no rca
love. You have n painful task bcfor
you; do your best TO comfort him.
that be possible"
And Miss Bcrosrord turned away
motioning Nora to enter the room
where Paul Bcresfogd was seated. II
was quite alone, sitting 10y the fin,
IL looked odd 10 see no papers on ia
table beside him lie heard the soi
rustic Of the woman'S gown. an
turned his sightless eyes IN her dire,
tion. He was an extremely handsom
man: his features almost perfect. an
his dark brown eyes had not yet h,
come vacant and exprcSsiouless. Nor
faltered out some words of Sympath
and compassion. and his face III up o
the sound OF her voice; he rose an
felt his way TO meet her so 20
have come. and so quickly; how goo
of you Bella. Come here. dec". an
LET me feel your hands i'm mine. O
my darling. II / have you | can bc;
this terrible blow. Your love M
sympathy and sweet faithfulness al
more than sight to me- he SAID. In
voice that shook n little with emotio
aud then, before Nora could answ
him. she felt his arms round her an
his lips pressed against her own.
Sometimes love steals into n woman
heart step 10y step: sometimes IL com
with n sudden leap. With that ki
aud passionate embrace Nora's hea
gave n great throb. and her pulses lie
with strange, overwhelming passio