The daily morning Alaskan., 1902-03-16
BARBARA'S ESCAPE. @


 Henry Millbrock'a engagement to Bar bara Esmond, the heircss, was the theme of general club comment and congratula' tion. His fricnd Mir. Piercy wished she had sister with half the money as Mill. brook snuntercd away to get bis picture taken for his lGdylove.
 Sisnor Fernelll. the artist. was at home and very glad tc receive Mir. Millbrook's order.
 As Milbrook sat waiting fer Signor Fernclli to bring out some specimens of his art he saw through the open door . dark silk drcsy brush by and tho pure, clear profile of face that he well knew Barbara Esmond's face.
 "IIellow calculated our hero. Fer nell, who the deuce Is that young lady. and how came she bereT'
 'It k the music mistress of Pauline Delatour up stairs. She comes twice of the week and sings. my word, like nightingale"
 "Who is Pauline DelatourT
 "A poor girl, signor, who sews on dresses. but one day she will come out on the stage-she will sing at the opera"
 Harry Nillbrook stared at Signor Fer nelli like one demented.
 (Which size did you say. sirr'
 "I-I dcn't think I'a make a selection today. l will call tomorrow"
 And Mr. Millbrook rushed hOadlons down stairs, greatly to the surprise Of Signor Fernelli.
 "The deucc!' he calculated to himself as hc strode along the narrow street, with difficulty restraining himself from tumbling at every other step over the babies who swarmed In the gutters. "A music mistress. Giving lessons in such a hole as that, Upon my word. I've como preciously near being taken in and done forr
 He lifted his hat and wiped the chill beads of precipitation from his forehead.
 Barbara Esmond had nuttered liga,! up the narrow staircase, all unconscious of the cyes that were noting her through Signor Fcrnell's partially opened door. and entered q small room in the story above. A pale young girl, with a sweet, spirlmcllc face. sat at her sewing by the window. She frightened up as the deli cate figure came in.
 Miss Esmond. lt is SO kind of you to remember me 90 punctually."
 Not at all kind. l am a genius wor' shiper. Pauline. and l have discovered the divine spark in you"
 How shall l ever repay you. Miss Els mond?'
 By cultiyatlng the talent heaven ha, bestowed upon you. Nay, nay, Pauline. [ am but following out a pet whim."
 The lesson was longer than usual that day. Pauline and Miss Esmond were both deeply interested, and it was nearly tN flight before Barbara emerged from the horsc. closely yelled, and walked swiftly through ;hc l0rkoning streets
 "'Therr's Q note for you. Miss Bar bara." rail her houSchc ccpcr. as she sat down 10 rest a minute or two is the TO ccption loom ot her own mansion before she laid ou her things.
 "A noteI Let mc see it."
 IL was very brief. but cruel as a blow.
 Miss Esmond." it read. commencing shortly and stcrnly instead of the Dear est Barbara" she had expected.
 Allow me Co claim back ,bc troth | have plight sd to you. ! had supposed when [ engaged myscn Co you that l vas about Co ally myself Co lady, not Co a music mistress in Grove street it vii scarcely be worth while iof you Co reply to thii letter. as ! can never. under any circumstances. forgive the deceit that has been practiccd upot me Therefore shall take it Cor granted that aO relations are ended between yourscli and yourf very respectfully, IL AiLlbhooA'
 Barbara dropped the insulting letter. with a sparkle in her black eyes. n curve to her llp, which were wonlrously elo quent
 "'rbe puppy" she muttcrcl between her sci teeth "Thc miserable poltroon How could 1 ever have fanried for sin gle srconl that ! loved him? Reply t' his letter. or coUrse 1 shall not reply u h,
 And Miss Esmoul walkci up stairs urrylnr hcr head high in tie air, far 'li beyond lhe reach of Harry Min 'rooas petty spike
 tlat yunps r,cn Was seated at hl' cal .n,i ia!ir next 'ioreius when Ru ~ E-nWurl lpunccd in.
 'llt,. Mi'ihrnol, i,o usi heard 'le uru ahp0t your iaiylovc. Misa Es -u f. tlai is i1 my niLd hvttcr than al ., 'lnls u.l woitgasra What do 70,
 .Gi Shes giving singing lessons i' ',iG's l..tlr soariSireSS, one Pauliu' .'r'nur. lrcaUsc the cllli has glol!ou .i,, u1 ,an't afford Co have it cultivai . ,;cClly, i, iu't often that an heires.
 iii Esmonl'S dauehtcr stoops to pei sH SO foilirs brHrht aS that"
 q rry Muih.ooE hai sct down h .o.olair cup anl was staring i'iil ..., ,yr. at Mr. Evlward.
 ''it>. what's the mutirrT' dcmalde a' ur;kmqn somewhat shortly.
 "N lu,h.us
 "Nysprp.is. e!iT
 "No tcil you I'm well enough
 uauy Lad made mistake a mi'tab' hat was likely to he fatal 70 his brilliam uat imulial aspirations.
 'NNhy didn't | waitf What the mis thief was m such hurry for? he dc mau.lcd Of himself. without any vcry satisfactory answer. as he hurried alunI the street toward Barbara's residence. The boy might not havc delivered tho note Barbara might not have read it. there were a thousand might nots." and be resolved to try his luck, even in for lorn hope.
 "Is Miss Esmond at homer" be asked of the old housekeeper who came 10 th' door.
 "Aiis- Esmond wished mc to say spe c!ally that she was never ai home tc Mir. Miubrook any more." was the sold
 al.