The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1903-08-26

had ever frightened him. and presently
she became quiet. and wept at his knees,
and begged his forgiveness, and said ne
was wiser than she was. and she would
obey him I'm everything only he must not
be angry with her II she could not live.
| Then the stout admiral mingled his
I tears with hers and began 10 realize
what deep waters OF afliction his girl
was wading in.
Yet he saw no way out but hrmness
| lie wrote 10 Sir Charles TO say that his
daughter was too Ill 10 write. but that no
explanation was possible. and no inter
view could he allowed.
Sir Charles. who. after writing had con-
ceived the most sanguine hopes. was now
as wretched as Bella. Only now that he
was refused a hearing he had wounded
pride TO support him little under wound
Admiral Bruce. fearing for his daugh-
| ters health and even for her life-she
divide her day into several occupations
and exact divisions OF time--an hour for
this, an hour for that; an hour by the
clock-and here he, showed practical wis
dom. Try IL We that are very unhappy.
and tell me the result.
AS a part OF this excellent system she
had to walk around The square from II
/ to IL a. m. but never alone; he was not
/ going 10 have Sir Charles surprising her
I into an interview. He always went with
her. and as he was too stn TO walk brisk
ly he sat down and she had to walk In
sight He took a stout stick with him
| for Sir Charles. But Sir Charles was
proud and stayed at home with his deep
/ wound.
one day walking around the square
with step OF mercury and heart Of lead
/ Bella Bruce met a sister OF charity pac-
ing slow and thoughtful; their eyes met
and drank in a moment every feature OF
The sister apparently had seen the set
tied grief .on that fair face. for the next
time they met she eyed her with a GER
tain sympathy which did not escape
| Bella
This subtle interchange took place sew
eral times. and Bella could not help feel
10 herself. how kind religious people
are! should like TO speak TO her. "
And the next time they met she looked
wistfully in the sisters face.
She did not meet her again for she
went and rested on a bench in sight Of
her father. but at some distance from
him. Unconsciously TO herself his re-
fusal even 10 hear Sir Charles repelled
her.
That was so hard on him and her. II
looked like throwing away the last
chance, the last little chance OF happi-
LEGS
BY and by the Sister came and sat on
the same bench
Bella was hardly surprised but blushed
high, for she felt that her own eyes had
invited the pathy OF a stranger, and
now IL seemed 10 be coming The timd
girl felt uneasy. The sister saw that and
| approached her with tact. you look un
we'll, sdir she. gently. but with no ap-
pearaiice of extravagant interest or curt.
osity.
II ana llttle." said Bella, very re-
scrvedly
Excuse my remarking IL. We are pro-
fersional nurses and apt TO be little of
fcious. fear"
No reply
II saw you were unwell. But I hope It
is not serious. / can generally tell when
the sick are in danger" peculiar look
II am glad not to see IL in so young and
good face"
You are young. too: very young
and" she was going TO say beautiful" I"
but she was too shy-"to be a sister of
charity But | am sure you never regret
leaving such a world as this is
Never | have lost the only thing |
ever valued in It,"
II have no right to ask you what that
was"
You shall know without asking. One I
| loved proved unworthy"
The sister sighed deeply and then hid :
Ing her face with her hands for a moment
rose abruptly and left the square. asham-
cd apparently OF having been betrayed In
| 10 such a confession.
Bella when she was twenty Yards Off
put out a timid hand as IL TO detain her.
but she had not the courage to say any-
! thing of the kind
She never told her father a word. She
had got somebody now who could sympa- :
thize with her better than he could
Next day the sister was there and Bella
| bowed TO her when she met her
This time it was the sister who went
and sat on the bench.
Bella continued her walk for some
| tlme, but at last could not resist tho
temptation. She came and sat down on
the bench, and blushed: as much as m
say. II have the courage 10 come. but no,
10 speak upon certain subject. which
| shall be nameless"
The sister, as NAV be imagined ~.
so shy. She opened conversation. 81
/ committed n fault yesterday. 7 smoke 20
/ you or myself. and OF the past: II is dis
! couraged by our rules. We are bound ~
INQUIRE the griefs OF others: not 10 tell
! our own" W 'ei'
! This was fair opening. but Bella w,s
| TOO delicate To show her woupd, - =
/ fresh acquaintance ="
The sister. having failed AZ that tr,sa
/ something very different
but could tell you pitiful case bout
another sometime ago I nursed n GEN
tleman whom love had lain on a sickbed :,
gentleman! What can they love
/ as we do?' said Bella bitterly.
NOT many OF them; but this was an
WhnfhHr
ought to tell these secrets 70 so Young =
/ lady" e
! On. yes-plesse-what else IL there q,
this world worth talking about7 Ten me
about the poor man who could love Al we
/ can"
! The sister seemed 10 hesitate. bu. n,
last decided 70 go on
We'll he was n man of the world and
| he had not always been a good man; hu,
he was trying 10 be He had fallen IN love
with young lady. and seen the beauty
/ ~ virtue and was going 10 marry her and
! lead good life But he was man of
I honor. and there was a lady for whom
he thought II was his duty 10 provide. He
set his lawyer 10 draw deed and his
lawyer appointed day for signing n at
her house The poor man came because
his lawyer told him. DO you think there
was any great harm In that7"
NO. of course not"
"Well. then, he lost his love for that.
tTo be continued)
Homeseekers Excursions.