Evening bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1895-1912, 1903-12-02

head. my head" Then a heavy fall
to the floor At that exerting all his
strength, he struck the lock with his
boot. the door flew open, and thick
white smoke, as from wood-fre, curl
ed out toward him. A stove stood in
the middle of the floor, from which
the vapor rose. wreathing and twisting
From the clearness of some part of the
room he believed the fire had not been
long burning Quickly lifting the girl
from beside the bed. he bore her into
his own room, where, placing her on
couch near the open window, he
douched her head and throat with
water. Anxiously he watched for
signs of returning consciousness, and
was on the point Of running for help.
when her bosom futtered, the lips
twitched. and the eyelids slowly open
ed. She gazed into his tender eyes
for a moment as II she did not recOg-
nize him; then, turning she burst into
passionate tears.
As her hands leaped to cover her
face he noticed wedding ring upon
her finger. 1t had never been there
before.
He rose from bending beside the
couch and began preparing meal.
He would not look toward her as he
went about the room, but was cOnsci-
GUS of the restraint she put upon her
weeping In a little while she was
silent and slowly rose from the couch.
lie was instantly beside her. Sha
murmured that she wished to change
her dress, which was wet. She was
trembling, and seemed very weak.
When he had helped her into her room,
which was now cleared of smoke he
said little brusQuely:
"Mademoisele, you will promise 10
do nothing rash again."
Il will promise you, yes" she said.
almost humbly, her eyes dropping be.
tore his.
Whatever may he troubling you"
he went on, you can always depend
upon me to help you"
Thank you" she replied, with so
quick an emotion In her voice, that he
was startled and moved.
AS they sat at tea, he tried by cheer
full talk to bring her mind away from
brOsding, and after the meal she was
betrayed into some brightness on see
ing him wash up the tea things, and
wished, against his laughing protesta-
lions, to do ii for him. Suddenly, in
rho T1ilCf a thaip Al m taIL hn
became silent. the face clOuded, and
shining drops started from her eyes.
Il never dreamed you were SO kind"
she said, looking at him, the tears
falling down her fact. Il always
thought you were 50 Stern and cold.
called you in my mind the man with
the hard eyes.
"Oh, but you mustn't trust to appear
'ances," he replied, cheerfully. I've
OFTEN thought you were in trouble and
and hadn't many friends, perhaps"
Il have no friends since my poor
father died a year ago she said, sad
ly, when she had wiped her eyes and
could speak quietly. He had con-
CesslOn which he thought some rich
men here would pay him for, but they
took 1t and gave him worthless papers.
When he died, disappointed, | tried to
Keep myself. All our friends seemed
10 have hidden themselves. have suf-
fered many things, but cannot starye.
II is no base. 1t is into!erable. Oh,
monsieur, know you despise me Tor
icing a coward to-day, but"
Don't say that" replied Stephen.
None of us know how weak we may
be when the time comes. But now,
listen! You must begin again. You
must let me lend you some money u
go on with; and We must look about
and see what work you can get. win
you do that"
She shook her head, putting his offer
from her with quick forward gesture
Of her hands, which seemed to him
both pretty and pltIable.
But consider" he said sternly.
you've got TO do II. What else can
you do; Remember, you've promised
me 10 do nothing rash again"
He looked keenly into the distressed
eyes which sought to escape his gaze.
Pity and love moved him at sight of
her pain.
oh, she said. with trembling voice
i almost wish you had Rct-not found
me to-day" Then, with sudden
quickness in look and tone, she said,
How, Monsieur, did you come to sus-
poet so soon what | was doing? /
thought you had gone out"
His face flushed before her search
ing eyes, and, for the moment, anger
took him to think she was beyond all
his dreams, which now were revealed
to her. AS she watched his face, her
fine eyes suddenly chilled and looked
down.
Never mind that now" he said,
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