Northern Wisconsin advertiser. [volume] (Wabeno, Wis.) 1898-1925, 1903-11-26


to the fire? I'm afraid father and
amt strong or big enough to carry
you, or we would"
Joan rose and walked slowly to a
chair near the crate and sank into 1t.
That's better" said the old man,
cheerily. You'll be as right as a nine
pence directly"
The girl got a cup from the bench
and some milk and poured out sC,S
tea for Joan, drawing stool for q
BE, and with truest delicacy saying
nothing.
Joan slipped the tea, and it and the
warmth gave her strength to speak
"You-you have been very good to
me-" she said TREMENDOUSLY.
! The father and daughter exchanged
a swift glance as the sweet, musical
voice fell on their ears.
I 81 think | should have died if you
had not helped me-"
( you was i'll and fairtish, and no
mistake" said the old man.
} Then in shamefaced fashion she
told them that she was alone in Lon
, don, and friendless.
Emily smothered her curiosity and
Insisted that Joan should share her
hospitality as long as she wished.
jean was only too grateful, and
would have wept tears of thankfulness.
But Emily, with admirable tact, be-
gan to talk about herself, and explain
ed that she was a stage fairy and the
MASKS were made by her father Tor
use in the pantomime.
Joans cares began to grow lighter
under the glow of the merry-hearted
girls talk.
Suddenly Emily started to her feet,
and said in her shrewd manner:
But now, you must be tired. Come
upstairs, and III show you where you
are to sleep. | dare say" she said, sud
denly, you'll think it very poor and
nakeshift, you being lady: but" she
added, its better than the workhouse
anything is better than that"
mo place will seem poor or unwel-
come to me-" said Joan. IF do not
tell you how grateful, how deeply /
feel your kindness to me-a stranger
it is because | seem as if could not
find words" and her eyes filled for the
first time.
You speak like the people on the
stage in the dramas and comedies
like the grand lady, l mean. l like to
hear you. Father, she's going up to
bed. If anyone comes for her"
Joan seized the tiny arm with low
cry of fear.
The girl looked up at her reassuring-
ly.
''If anyone comes for her. father, and
says, Have you seen tall young lady
with large beautiful eyes and a pale
face? you say that you haven't seen
anybody like her. That's right, isn't
it?'' she said, looking up at Joan with
o smile.
Joan pressed her arm, and the girl
walked before her to a corner of the
room from which started a narrow
staircase.
1t led to some rooms built over the
Workshop; they were small but scrupu-
lousy clean. and on the wall of the one
into which Emily took Joan was hang
ing a white muslin dress, a diadem of
glittering brass and stage jewels, and
a spangled wand.
my fairy things" said Emily, nod
ding at them. There's a candle, and
I'll put some more things on the bed.
Good night" and she held out her tiny,
paint-stained hand.
Joan took her hand, and, drawing
her towards her, kissed her gratefully
The girl flushed, and soft look came
into her keen blue eyes.
Poor thing!" she said; you are
quite upset Never mind, you'll be bet
ter when you wake tomorrow Good
night
But moment afterwards she came
hack.
You haven't told me your name,
she said quickly. Mines Emily
Emily Harwood.'
And mine is Joan-Joan Ormsby, .
said Joan; then her face flushed and
she looked alarmed.
Emily's sharp eyes missed nothing.
What name did you say?' she said,
as If she hadn't heard Never mind
perhaps you'd better not tell me: then
II anyone asks can say | dou't know.
And yet you must have a name,
mustn't you? I've got two, my own
and my stage one. On the stage I'm
Florence Montressor-that's grant.
isn't it?" and she laughed. You
shall be-let me see, what shall you
le?" and she stood regarding Joan
with her head on one side, as if she
were measuring her for name.
Hem, l think Ida is pretty-Miss Ida
Trevelyan. read a story once with a
girl in it of that name"
a smile dawned upon Joan's pale,
beautiful face. Certainly she must be
asleep. and dreaming!
That will do" she said. ANY
name will do. will it not?''
oh, no." retorted Emily, sharply.
The names half the battle. Besides,
you ought to have pretty name.
'Why?" asked poor Joan. gently.
The girl opened the door and looked