The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1901-07-19


| consent of the woman with ,vho,,,
she lodged. The sum he nut into he,
hands would more than requite her
Tor any loss she might suffer through
fansy's fowcr-selling. From the
woman. too, he learned something
more about the childs history. Her
parents were artists; the mother had
eked out living by painting flower
pictures on wood. after Ter hus-
hands early death, which had oc-
Cured before Pansy's birth. Then.
when the little girl was about six
years OF age. two short years before,
she, too, had laid down the weary
burden Of life. and the child was left
alone.
VI his new within Rush Travers said
nothing. IL leaked out, however.
among his fashionable acquaintance
that he was interested in little child.
but all supposed il some relative. and
looked upon ii as a passing caprice.
lie wished that IL should be so. lie
did not want curious eyes prying
into the past of one whose future
he intended to make his care.
The world saw little Of him in these
days. II almost seemed to him like
coming home, now that he knew little
feet would run to welcome him. liz
tie arms ciasp themselves about his
neck; or later. a little curly head rest
on his shoulder, while the lids
dropped over the pansy eyes, in hap
py, careless slumber.
The old housekeepcr alone shared
his secret. She had abused him
roundly at first. as was her privilege.
Was he not TO her as her own boy?
But ere "a hours had passed little
Pansy had crept into the kind old
heart; and in the night she had risen
from her own bed, and stolen into
the room adjoining hers. to see that
the clothes were carefully tucked
about the little form.
IL was n new thing to the child,
this waite. full care, but she grew and
expanded under il like some beautiful
flower.
No one detected her in an untruth.
She avowed her faults boldly. She
laughed. she sang, she cried, as other
children; ye. about her was singu-
lar charm, half-sadness, strangely
unlike the carelessness of childhood.
Thus two years rolled away, and
again Rush Travers determined to 90
abroad. Pansy must be educated.
too, but he knew now what he meant
10 do with her future. The child was
dear to him as his own. and his own
She should be. lie would give her
such an education as his own daugh-
ter should have had, had he possessed
one. He would make her brilliant
woman She should be worthy of
some man whom he would choose for
her husband. She would never know
more, and in the fullness
Of her lifc's promise he would for
get the emptiness Of his own.
'.rncle Rush." she called him. The
past was already to her like n dream.
She parted from him in bitter tears
when he left her at her new home,
the school at which she was to be
educated.
Little did Madam Arnand dream
that she was receiving among her
select and fashionable pupils street
fiower-grl. Was the girl not the
niece and ward of the aristocrat She
had never welcomed pupil with
greater pride. nor did the years. as
they came and went. lead her for one
to suspect the truth.
Among all this fair bevy Of girls
none were SO fair as she who owed
the smooth outer current OF her
life TO Rush Travers' passing caprice.
The deep blue eyes had borrowed even
more Of the pansy's purple tint; the
bright rosc-fush of health was on
her cheeks; the rich carminc natures |
brush alone can paint was upon her |
lips. In the sunny waves of the chest
nut hair played CLEANS of ripping |
gold. Her hands and feet were small
md dainty. Her figure had developed |
INTO exquisite grace.
The eight years Of study had |
marked themselves upon the lovely |
lace i'm its bright expression and |
sparkling intelligence. Rush Travers |
might well be proud Of her TO whom
ne had given his proud old name. In
Ill this time ne had seen her hut |
,nce--but once he had returned TO |
MS native land.
In the twilight he stood awaiting |
ier in Madam Arnaud's private room;
,ut, when the door opened. he started |
II the radiant vision which entered
She threw herself upon his breast,
With glad sob. then started back.
"Unclc Rush." she said. question
ngly. "you are not glad to see me?"
lie had recovered himself by then.
md welcomed her warmly; but some
hing had arisen between them her
perception was first to rec
,gnizc. Already this meeting. TO
which she had looked forward with
iuch gladncss. was married.
From all sides. that night, Mr.. |
rravers was met with congratulations
IN the beauty and brilliancc Of his
ward, who had received the first |