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

her eyes full Of tears. and she was
trembling violently. He had mistaken
her for Bella-how was she 10 tell
! him.
Miss Beresford sat In her drawing
room waiting, and wondering greatly
when half an hour went by and Nora
had not returned She went into the
hall and listened for a moment think
Ing, perhaps, the girl had left with
out seeing her again, but she heard
voices, and, stranger still, the sound
actually laughing, and IL was a natural
laugh Of pure gladness.
Marcia Beresford went back 10 her
room greatly puzzled. Another half
hour passed and then she heard the H.
brary door open and the voice so
much like Bellas, saying, Yes, ! will
come tomorrow, quite early. by ten
o'clock. and will read 10 you as long
as you like. Now, you are not 10 get
downcast while I'm gone. Oh, do you
really want me 10 say gOod-by again,
but | shall never gOr Then there was
the sound OF her skirts huttering
across the room again. and n few min
ntes afterwards she reappeared in the
drawing room with flushed checks.
eyes bright with tears, ana trembling
lips.
my dear, don't understand" ex-
claimed Miss BeresfOrd. The girl
closed the door and then flung herself
on her knees beside the elder womans
chair
"Oh, what nave done, What have
! donew she sObbed.
What What have you done" cried
Miss Beresford more and more mysti-
fed by her visitors manner.
II could not tell him; IT was 80 sud
den; he thought he thought was
Bellaw
Bella! oh, ! see: I understand"'
And | comforted him. made him
forget his misery. because he thought
was Bella. Oh, Miss Bpresford, what
am 10 dof'
A fash Of hope came into Marcia
Bercsford's worn face.
Gould you go on with h?" she
asked, In low voice.
What do you mean" snd Nora
looked up, bcwildorcd.
go on being Bella" was the reply
But he must know sooner or later"
Yes, but II it be later be will have
grown 10 love you so much that he will
never regret the real Bella, but will
love the false one better Think of
how dreary his life will bc without
you, and the difference your love and
care will make to him. a wife Is so
different from sister. 1t Is true
am urging you to choose a life of self
sacrifice"
self sacrifice! oh. no! 1t wouldn't
bc that" murmurcd Nora.
"Then, you will come again to-mor-
row."
Yes, | will comer was the answer.
Aud so the days slipped by. and
Nora became everything to Paul Bcres-
ford. and no one but his sister knew
Of the strange deception that was be-
ing practiced The real Bella was
glad To get her freedom, and chaffcd
her sister about her daily visits as
reader TO the blind man
"Who knows? You might console
him after ALL Nora" she said, one
| day jokingly.
More unlikely things might happen,
certainly" was the reply.
Nora was cutting some roses to take
TO Paul. Don't take all the best"
said her sister.
You surely don't grudgc him the
/ pleasure of your flowers" exclaimed
Nora, hotly.
well. give him one from me. I've
/ half q mind 20 90 aud see him myself
/ to-day. There's no reason why we
/ shouldn't be friends Nora. III take
him the roses Here, give them to
me- said Bella, holding out her hands
| FOR the flowers.
Nora's face turned pale.
What's the matter? Why shouldn't
/ l? Marcia is gone down to the village.
so sha'n't run across her. thank good
ness. saw her go 10y few minutes
ago. Come. Nora. I'll 90. \ month
has passed 1t is time we shook hands
ana ne forgavc me. Who knows when
once | see him again old feelings may
hc reused once more feel as IL
want To see him again
when Bella was determined 20 DO
a thing she dill il, ana she walked tie
liberatcly down the garden and
through the gate. The B2rcsfords
lived but n few steps down the road in
a pretty house. with garden s.op
ing so the river. Nora knew that Paul
would I've seated under the big beech
there. waiting Cor her. 1t was shel
tered CC-ncr ot the bottom Of the gar
den. where they spent many hour,
now that the days were warm and
sunny. what was she 10 do3 Sh
had never thought of this she had
let things drift. and had shut out OF
her mind all thought of the future
hut he must know now; the truth mus
be told; and ;hc full sense of her dc
ception stood out clearly before her
! lie would never forgive her. She Ia,
done a terrible. an unwomanly thing
and she loved him-she loved hin
with her whole heart and soul
" Nora quickly overlook her sister an,
! accompanied her. They went acros
e the smooth turfcd lawn with sof
4 steps. hut the blind mans ear wa
. quick to hear. and he was listening 70
r Nora. IL was she who spoke.
I My sister has come TO see you" sh
said
5 Il have brought you some roses.
5 81 Il Bella.
I---L----l -