The Red Cloud chief., 1901-10-25

49,
out a hope Of released Stella
Monte threw her crochet work to the
other side OF the small room. "If I
could go to the seaside like other girls
l might make a suitab bic m~atch-onc
that would ave me from the bondage
Of povertyw
Meta sadly looked u, from her
lounge.
You have much to- be thankful for,
dear Stella" che said softly. "Your
heaith-a beautiful face"
What Is the good of my beauty?
Whom do ! see now? No one but DIR.
:tames, and he Is Old and stout, and
knows our poverty too we'll to think
OF me-
At this tunctare Mrs. Monte. a
quiet. ladylike woman, entered the
room, and looked from one to the other
Of her daughters.
What 10 the %tr0ubie:' she asked.
J.. Mamma, Stella IL tired and wants
10 go TO the seaside" Netta said soft
ly. Poor Stella Is weary Of this life.
md think I had better give her Uncle
Locrime's gift, aud then she eau have
Ter way"
"Netta" exclaimed the astonished
mother.
H"Yes; my money increases very slow
~. and perhaps. after all, | may not
get better"
At the girls last birthday their
mothers brother had given each 500.
Stella had bought some handsome
finery with her money. but Meta, who
had been for years crippled by q fall,
laid fers aside, hoping TO save enough
TO taSe her 10 some celebrated physi-
clan. BuOycd up with that hope she
had painted little pictures for the
stores, ana saved each dollar care.
fully. but Stella's constant repining
was wearing. and she determined to
give up her hope and let her have her
1ors looked for trip.
do you really mean 1t. Nctta?'
Stella questioned eagerly.
Yes"
Then I will tell you what I'll do,
. on dearest of sisters! / shall be sure
10 make a conquest. aud when I am
married I will take you to France. to
The physician you wish to see"
At that moment some one tapped ut
the door, and IL moment later DIR.
lines, a tall. rather stout mar of
about forty-fivc years of age. with a
grave. kind face. entered.
Two weeks later Stella MOnitO was
boarding In an aristOcratic resort.
Wine went by, and her letters home
were not very frequent. Finally Onc
morning the POSTWAR brought one that
ran thus:
MY Dear Mother aud Sister-I am
about to be married and bid adleu TO
a life Of poverty forever. Mr.. leland.
my future husband. Is immensely
wealthy. He owns a magnificent res.
idencc In the city and n on the Hud-
SOD. But there Is n thing which I
am sorry to m~ention-he does not wish
me TO acknowledge my relatives after
marriage. OF curse l shall not forget
you. mother and Meta. and shall re.
turn the money which brought me
here at the earliest opportunity. My
face has been my fortune. Stella"
Mrs. Monito covered her face with
her hands.
MY child has forsaken me- she
cried.
Meta could hardly utter q word OF
consolation. What was there to say!
She knew her sister wOrshiped at the
shrine of wealth. and cared not how
many hearts she broke II she only
reached her l%onged.for goal.
A few weeks later DIR. James made
lem q visit which was not strictly
professional.
Meta" he said, sitting down beside
her. your sisters summer trip has
won her q husband. I read the mar.
riage notice IN the paper yesterday
Now, I have q favor to ask Of you. |
q tired Of being alone in the world
want q wife to take care Of. and
there Is no n else who would please
Inc but you. have loved you ever
since you were that high"-with u mo
ton Of his hand-'and II you vii
have me ] will take you to France Il
The physician you have set your hear
ON seeing. II they cure you I shall re
jo.ec; II they do not, l shall love yo,
I'll the more"
Meta looked up In his kind Eyes IL
surprise = his words were no mex
pecteJ.
mo, nor she Sried. ~ will no
take advantage Of your generous OFFER
will never be q burden to any man."
And all the arguments he could us,
would not induce her TO change he,
mind.
The days wore slowly on. A lettcI
came from Stella;
my Dear Sister II am ashame,
that ] have not been able to return
Sour money, but the truth Is. though
my husband Is immensely wealthy
: and ] am dressed In the richest o