Chicago eagle. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1889-19??, 1901-06-29
HALF ASLEEP"

Yes, there were very few possessions
In that light trunk. but the first glance
showed me u blue silk dress and sealskin
jacket and hat. ] lifted them out for
her, and after them pair Of velvet slip
pcrs, soilcd, us IL they had been through
muddy roads. ] did not utter u remark.
Beneath these lay handsome watch and
chain, u fine diumond ring and five sover-
cigns lying loose in the box.
THAT Is all the money | have In the
wOrld,' she said sadly.
Il laid the five sOvercigns In her small
white hand, ana she turned them over,
one after another, with pitiful look on
her face. ! felt foolish enough to cry
over them myself.
DIR. Martin" was her unexpected
question after Il long pause, do you
know what became of my huirT'
"WhyY l asked, looking at her fin
gers running through the short curls we
had left her.
because that ought to be sold for
something" she said. II am almost glad
you had 1t cut OF. My hairdresser told
me once he would give five g,ineas for Il
head of hair like mine, 1t was so long,
and the color was uncommon. Five
sulucus Wouu uOt oe null cuOuEu ~ Duy
You. though. ] InOw."
She spoke 80 simply and quietly that l
did not attempt to demonstrate with her
about her anxiety to pay me.
"Tardif has It," said; but of course
he will give 1t you back again. Shall
sell 1t for you. mam'zelle!"
"Oh, that IL just what l could not ask
yOu" she exclaimed. "YOu see there Is
no one to buy 1t here. and l hope 1t may
be Il long time before 20 away. don't
know, though; that depends upon wheth-
or ] can dispose OF my things. There Is
my sealskin, 1t cost twenty-five guineas
last year, and 1t ought to be worth some
thing. And my watch--see what nice
one 1t IL. I should like to sell them all,
every one. Then l could stay here as
long az the money lasted"
How much do you pay here!' inluir-
ed, for she had taken me 80 far into
counsel that ! felt justified In asking
that question.
"A pound u week." she answered.
"A pound week" repeated, In
amazement. docs Tardif know that -
II don't think he does" she said
"When ! had been here week ! gave
Mrs. Tarlif sovereign, thinking per-
haps she would give me little out OF 1t.
am not used to being poor, aud did
not know how much ought to pay. But
she kept 1t all. and came to me every
week for more. Was 1t too much to
payY
"roo much" l said. "You should have
spoken to Tardif about it, my poor child"
II could not talk to Tardif about his
MOTHER she answered. "Besides, it
would not have been too much. II had
only had plenty. But 1t has made me so
anxious. did not know whatever
should do when 1t was all gone. do not
know now."
Here was capital opening for ques-
ton about her friends.
"You will be compelled to commune
cate with your family" l said. you
have told me how poo. you are; cannot
you trust me about your friends?"
II have no friends" she answered sor-
rowfully. III had any, do you suppose
l should be hereY'
II am one" ! said, "and Tardif is an
other"
"Ah, new friends" she replied; but l
mean real old friends who have known
you all your life, like your mother, DR..
Martin, or your cousin Julia. want
somebody to go to who knows all about
me, and say to them, after telling them
everything, keeping nothing back ut all,
'Have ] done right? What else ought
to have dOneT No new friend could an.
swer questions like those"
Was there any reason ! could bring
forward to increase her confidence in
met thought there was, and her friead.