The progress., 1904-07-30

shAfta y NV iIsht drift through a
lenves and sparkle the dew on the MOI
and blades Of grass under foot. whe
the wild flowers open and ding ou
their sweet scents, and all natur
awakens q the grey dawn steals away
you would know differently. 70
would know that that bird in the caa
sings because its heart Is broken, n
it's days are dull and that the garisl
sunlight, the bricks and the smok
from the chimneys around and the evi
words Of the boisterous street rabbi
desolate It's tender feelings, and tina
its song Is q plant and an anguishe,
| cry for freedom"
Bette let her work drop on he
lap and caught her breath and sligh
moisture obscured her bright opel
grey eyes as she listened to the poeti,
words Of the stranger spoken in deel
meloiious voice and cultivated English
The canary is not the only one tha
sings to conjure up fields and pastures
and other scenes in useless effort tt
shut out sordld realities of CRIME ant
dirt, and the memories Of happier
days."
Bette answered, smiling bravely.
AHA! SO you live in a cage also;
that is sad pity for one SO young
particularly If you have those remem
brances which, by contrast, make the
captivity Of toll CALLING and wearisome
do not mind?" he asked suddenly
holding up a handsome meershaum
pipe.
Not at all. Besides you are on your
own side of the balcony and can do
as you please"
Bette resumed her work, but not
81 quickly that she failed to note the
shade which came over the frank,
honest face of her queer neighbor VIII o.
taking her at her word, began to smoke
without removing his arms from the
railing or retiring to his side Of the
building as Bette thought her silence
and absorption in what she was doing
would show him she expected him
to do.
But you are young and youth holds
SO many possibilities. Both Of good
and evil. In your case mademoiselle,
only Of good" the stranger said simply
and composedly.
Bette laughed little drearily.
"Your prediction is hardly carried,
but actualities," she remarked, drawn
In crtto ~ hnrcoIf irtr cOnvnrco ton
with her neighbor, whose gray. hairs,
strong, fine face and evident culture
made their unconventional conversa
tion seem simple and natural.
Bette looked up in surprise, her
handsome face flushing slightly.
How do you know?" she asked.
Her neighbor moved his pipe in a
gesture of dismissal OF a question SO
simple, and smiling back said:
II have eyes, mademoise1le, and
have not lived SO years in the world
and among men and women without
some knowledge of life and
its strange conditions, it's justices and
perils. You are fair like peach
blossom and untarnished and unused
tN toll. have observed your care of
your brother, like the lads face, are
you his only guardian"
A warm pulsation thrilled through
Petties heart at the simple direct
words SO entirely aloof from idle Curl
,sity, SO sincere and friendly, and again
cropping her work she looked up at
he strong, kindly face.
"Yes, we are entirely alone, Carl and
|, and once we owned beautiful home
IN the Teche, but to-day-you see l
must not let Carl stop his studies, he's
80 wonderfully intelligent, and he is
such fine lad. don't mind the work
. bit. Later on Carl is going to be
man and will buy back the
lear old place, SO it's all right. Then
We will be free and happy.
"Only, like you, I wish that poor
title bird would stop trying to be
cheerful. 1t hurts my feelings. Don't
you want your book?"
Bette stopped and picked up the
title volume and handed it back to it's |
,wner across the railing, noticing that |
he hand which took it was finely |
haped, and that he wore a handsome |
eal ring.
Il believe you have silenced poor
title Serino for the entire evening""
he said, smiling brightly.
81 was just imploring him to shut
Ip when you so energetically inter-
cred yourself"
Bettie's neighbor smiled back and
ept on smoking reflectively, apparent
y determined to remain where he was,
nd as the light was fading rapidly,
ut off by the high houses across the
yay, and Bette had made rule not
o light her lamps until it was quite
ark, she bent over her work to get
hrough before Mrs. Lascarre's servant
yould come for it.
She was not aware that sitting there.
er shapely head slightly bent, the
ght falling full upon her, showed the
eauty of her coloring and the grace of
er poise with distinctness not lost
n the stranger watching her from
cross the railing with intent, COM
assionate admiration.
$50 you left the banks Of that pretty
lver and your old home to take up the
attle of life in this upper story, among
1ese dreary surroundings? 1t was the
eroism of brave heart. How long