The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1903-07-15
Continued
VIII.


When l reached home again. after ms
interview with Mrs Clements. was
struck by the appearance Of a change IN
Laura
The unvarying gentleness and patience
which Ions misfortune had tried so cru
ely and had never conquered YET seemed
now 10 have suddenly failed her insen-
sihle 10 all Marians attempts 20 soothe
and amuse her. she sat. with her negiec'
ed drawing pushed away on the table
her eyes resolutely cast down, hel M
gers twining and untHinins thfmstINtS
restlessiy in her lap Marion rose "Hell ,,,.
i came I'M with silent dislress IN her
face: waited Tor q moment. 10 see III
Laura would look up AZ my approdo,s, ,.,,,,s,
whispered to me. Try ~ You can l"uS'
her. and left the room
sat down in the vacant chair genuy
unclasped the poor. worn, restless hnsel a.
and took both her hands an u;Gr. .
What are YOU thinking Of Laura rell
me. my darling-try anu tell me "hat u
her eyes 20 mine II cant feel hapfg,
she said Il can't help thinking she
stopped bent forward little and iaid
her head on my shoulder with terrible
mute helplessness that struck me 10 the
heart
TRY 10 tell me. (" | repeated, gently try
70 tell me why you are not happy
Il am so useless am such "a burden
on both OF you. she answered. with a
weary. hopeless sigh You work and get
money. Walter; and Marian helps You;
Why 18th ere nothing | can do tor YOU
You will end In liking Marian bet
ter than YOU like me-you VIII ne
cause I am SO helpless? on. don't don T.
don't treat me like a child'' n
l raised her head. and smoothed away
the tangled hair that fell over her face.
and kissed her--my poor faded nower,my
Laura. / said; you shall begin, my dar-
ling. today.
She looked at me with a feverish eager
ness, with breathess interest that made
me tremble for the new life OF hope which
/ had called into being by those words
rose. and sat her drawing materials IN
order. and placed them near her again.
You know that | work and get money
by drawing. | said. Now YOU have
taken such pains. now YOU are so much
improved. YOU shall begin to work and
sketch as nicely and prettily as you can
When IL is done. I will take IL away with
me: and the same person VIII buy II who
buys all that doy. You shall yeep your
own earnings in your own purse. and
Marian shall come 10 YOU 10 help MS as
often as she comes TO me Think how
useful you are going To make yourself 10
both OF US, and you will soon be as hap
py, Laura. as the day is long
Her face grew eager and frightened In
10 a smile In the moment while Il last
ed. in the moment when she again took
up the pencils that had been laid aside.
she almost looked like the Laura OF past
! had rightly interpreted the irst signs
OF new growth of strength I'm her mind
unconsciously expressing themselves -
the notice she had taken Of the occupa-
tions which filled her sisters life and
mine. Marian (when / told her what had
passed) saw. as | saw. that she was long
Ing TO assume her own little position OF
Importance. to raise herself I'm her own
estimation and I'm ours-and from ,nat
day, Of the hopeful. happier future that
might now not be far of Her drawings,
as she finished them, or tried 10 finish
them. were placed i'm my hands: Marian
took them from me and hid them care
fully; and | set aside a little weekly trb-
ute from my earnings 10 be offered 90
her as the price paid by strangers for the
poor. faint valueless sketches. of which
] was the only purchaser,
II was hard. sometimes To maintain our
Innocent deception. when she proudly
brought out her purse 10 contribute hor
share toward the expenses and wonder
ed. with serious interest whether or she
had earned the most that week I have
all those hidden dra wings I'm my posses
sion still: they are my treasures beyond
price-the dear remembrances that I love
TO keep alive--the friends. in past adver-
sity. that my heart will never part from,
my tenderness never forget
Am | trining. here, with the necessities
OF my task? am / looking forward to the
happier time which my narrative has not
yet reached? Yes. Back again-back 70
the DAYS OF doubt and dread. when the