Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1904-01-13

the carriage with q masteffulness that
asked no Dermissio aud she did not
aemur when he took the seat beside
her.
Il was not hard to end her '.sky par
lor." MS Crane called II mentally, Oh
the Rue DIES S1urs Claires. He called
there the next evening. and She met
him at the head of the dusty landing
with shy dignity and led the way
into her attic apartment as If 1t had
been Louis Qulnze reception room In
pink and gold. young girl, younger
even than herself. sat in an easy chair
by the window and smiled up at him.
This is Lucille. my sister," Virginia
said simply. Cranes quick eyes no.
ticed the slim pair of crutches leaning
beside the chair. He knew why she
had posed at Ribaut's and yivon's, why
she had not hidden her poverty and
starved in Silent pride.
The next time he came he brought
flowers for Lucille, and new grateful
friendllness flashed in the others blue
eyes
home from Nivon's to the Rue des
Smurs Clalres. She showed him some
of her sketches. and Crane promptly
took a bunch under his arm and hawk
ed them around the art stores with a
devout persisteney his own had never
known. Before month had passed
she had picked up odd work coIoring
pen and ink proofs for one of the week
lies. and at last there came day when
she left Vivon's for good, and the fu-
ture was full of hope.
And we shall see, la-la-la; we shall
see now" laughed Yvette. He is in
earnest. lie gros Crane. The wedding
bells will go ding-a-ling, and the little
white faced Virginia will have roses in
her cheeks"
Its all your doing" Virginia told
him that night when they parted at
her door. Il was worn out and heart
sick that day when l tainted. and you
cheered me. and--and'- She falter-
ed and held out her hand to him.
There was five franc piece in it
please take it back" she said. wi
Won told me, and | think it was just
splendid of you."
Crane flushed holly. but he took it,
He knew her pride and that TO her it
was a debt of honor.
"And after today. what?' he asked
II shall miss the walk home. and you
will forget Vivon's and me-"
She bent her head low over the
bunch of pink roses he had given her
for Lucille. and something in her ST.
lence gave him courage.
Virginia, il you would only give me
the right TO sweep you and Lucille
away from this. the sky parlor and the
struggle that never ends, I'm strong
and have gained footing and you
could study then he rambled on with
boyish helplessness. 'T've loved you
ever since that day at Vivon's when
your head lay ON my shoulder. and
wanted to lift you up and carry you
away from ii all-Laurier and Yvette
and old vivon and all OF them You
seemed so different and little and
alone"
She was silent still. and he waited.
Out over the city some bells were ring
Ing slow. sweet chimes. and the spar
rows were fiuttering sleeplly around
the caves of the sky parlor over their
heads.
One of the roses fell at her feet. and
he raised it tenderly.
''Do you think had better go?" The
dark blue eyes looked I'D at him at last
and he bent toward her eagerly. ''vir-
ginia. sweetheart
She held the roses close to her lIps
and smiled at him over them.
Wont you come up and tell Lu-
cille?" she said softly, and he followed
her up the long. dusty stairs to the sky
parlor.