The Forrest City times., 1904-05-27

ms IS Just the cara WOuiu pre- fer Thank you. By the way, what became of the Rents? I asked a half dozen times in my letters, but you never answered. :"
 q really don't know" she carelessly returned. dropping bit of scented wax on dainty envelope They have taken a room or two in some shaky tenement on an obscure street, be- lieve"
 Do you mean to say that they are in this city and as poor as that?" ex- claimed Hoyt getting up quickly and upsetting the tray of cards, and all else in his way.
 People say so," she replied. indif- ferently.
 Do you know what think?" he asked. hotly. That you are culpably negligent and heartless. You were call ing acquaintances and were in the same set. why in the name of common Christianity. even if not ciose friends, shouldn' you have seen if you could not be of service to those girls, de- priyed of fortune and friends at one stroke?"
 Don't be quixotic, Hoyt." returned his cousin, shrugging her pretty shoul- ders. My time is full: l belong 10 everything; haven't leisure in which to hunt up comparative strangers. Must you go? I thought you would stay 10 luncheon"
 Gurnsey took in Morgan's on his way downtown.
 "Who painted these?" he asked. as he bought the remaining cards.
 The youngest Miss Kent brings them here. One of the Broad street Rents; her father failed in business and died shortly after, you remember"
 If more are offered for sale, lay them aside for me. They are so un- usually pretty tbat l wish to purchase them all Then he consulted a diree- tory, and, going out, met Ann Kent.
 She was full of repressed excitement when she returned home. and for sev- eral days after; briskly announcing the afternoon before Easter. Every one of your cards are sold. and at just twice as much as you asked. I dared to | invested in a pair of gloves at bar gain. See, they exactly match your gray gown You know you said the other day that it was one of the cardi- nal sins to wear shabby gloves, and that yours were not fit to be seen"
 Where is your Easter finery?"
 Here answered Ann, promptly putting fingertip on each rosy cheek. Beauty unadorned. you know and here. she added. bringing in basket of flowers
 "Oh, my dear, you have been most extravagant"
 Not l, mademoiselle returned Ann, with twinkle in her eyes, but the green grocer"
 "Who do you mean by the green gro- cer? If 1t is the vegetable man, l am sure l hope you haven't accepted costly basket of flowers from him"
 Then the milk man"
 Please be serious" interrupted Miss Kent
 Then kindly remember that the age of Ann is that of discretion Can't 1 have a bit of secret all my own? All l ask of you is to wear these to-mor- row" and she handed bunch os white violets 10 Salome. who grew pale as she took them, but controlled herself enough to say:
 They are very sweet; and it was lovely in you 10 think of my favorite flowers, but We need so many things the rent and coal" she sighed, putting the violets in little vase on the table
 In the morning Ann brought the vio- lets to her as she was dressing for church.
 Do wear them" she urged Now you look like sweet saint" she de- clared as she fastened them in the lace at Salome's throat. for with them a feeling of serenity came 10 Miss Kent She even talked hopefully of their fu- ture as they walked along in the bright sunshine.
 You are very uplifting today" ex- claimed Ann. "I did feel bitter. Every one else in Easter finery. and we trudg- ing along in our out-of-date dresses But now, I'll not grumhle even if the sexton seats us in the farthest back charity pew"
 After service she hastened home. making some triviSl excuse. leaving Salome to come leisvrely, her heart full of the precious promises of the preach CT. the sweet eadences of the closing hymn. and the peace of the benedic- tion
 The trials of the past year seemed to fade away and when in this softened mood she entered their little sitting room and found herself face to face with Gurnsey. it was as If they again stood in her fathers drawing room. and neither time nor sorrow had come between them.
 Do not think" he eagerly said. hold ing her delicate hand in firm clasp, and bending his fine eyes tenGeriy upon her flushed face. that indifference has kept me from you My letters came back; my inquiries were in vain'
 Then you did not know of our re- verses" said Salome, with [ deep sigh of relief.
 Do you think l would have re- mained away. had I known7" he re- proachfully exclaimed Dearest. give