The progress., 1904-07-30

l0wB on the leveo7 Ilaey are 10 aGgo.
ciAtes for you. Did you not promiSl
me3s Bette looked troubled md yexed;
"Oh. bother, Bettiei a boy = no(
like girl. What di6eTencs dpes 4
make? They Az not l. bad lot and
they are loads IS fun One fellow but
I suppoge better not tell you. you'll
think twas awful: II was only Toms
| fun"
"rom Kelleyi what did hs do.
Carl?'
"Oh, nothing much; just took q lot
Of apples from old Bertrands stand
at the market. You ought to have seen
the clever way he lodged the police
man."
Carl laughed carelessly, but keen
look Of anxiety came over Bettie's face.
and her queer neighbo. still standing
spectator, In the growing twilight.
looked keenly compassionate as he
watched the brother and sister.
The boy. Carl. was strictly hand
some, but not like Bette, his face
lacked the decision and strength of
hers, and in his brown eyes and rather
full lips the watcher from the other
side Of the rusty railing read what he
feared.
"The burden will increase in weight,
and he will never lift nor bear 1t. He
will impose 1t on her, and it will break
her proud spirit and crush her to the
EARTH" murmured the man.
"It's hot in that dark, old room.
Let's eat supper out here, Bette. Call
ON me when you are ready, and I'll
60 in and help you bring it out. Do
hurry. Hello?"
Carl, who had dragged an armchair
on the balcony and threw himself into
1t, started at sight of the gray-haired
stranger, composedly smoking, few
feet away, and who was scrutinizing
him keenly.
I'm your sisters neighbor and
friend, Won Buford. We were speak
ing of your schooling. Would you like
to go to school in Germany"
Carl sprang up delightedly and was
soon deep in discussion as to what
he could and would do in the way of
study If he had the opportunity.
The stranger listened iptentively and
sternly.
would you study, or do you prefer
to be idle and dissipate and lose the
opportunity of an honorable career and
break the heart of that noble and beau
tiful girl, your sister?
Have you the courage and manhood
to resist the follies and temptations
of youth, and, taking her for guild
ing star, strive and toll to reach up
to the heights on which she stands, so
far above you? If so, young man,
will open the way for you. l will put
within your reach the weapons of
knowledge, which will enable you to
lead an honorable and useful life. |
You can then buy back your ancestral
home for her. She is worthy of every |
effort and sacrifice"
Carl, staggered and amazed, stood
silent, hardly able to grasp the mean
ing of the strangers offer, when Bet
tic came out holding tray prettily
set.
Bring out the table, Carl, we'll take
supper out here. Will you join us?
I'm sure you can step over the rail-
ng," she said, with friendly hospital
ty to her neighbor, moved by singu-
lar impulse of confidence.
"Why, Sis! I did not know that
you and Count Won Buford were
'riends," Carl whispered hurriedly, as
Bette sent him in for the cream in the
ce box.
Bettie's invitation was promptly ac-
,epted, her neighbor stepping over
md joined them. Setting around the
title table, while the stars came out,
md crescent moon gilded the dingy
and peeped down the mar
'ow street below, where the days
raffic over, some ragged urchins
played craps on the edge of the gutter,
lnder an electric light, Bettie's neigh
,or told her of his intentions to take
Jarl back to Germany with him, give
lin scholarship in a royal college
md supervise his life and studies.
"He will be a successful man later
N, and he can purchase back from me
he home on the Teche you were think
ng of, when the canary bird sang Of
is Imprisonment and sorrows, it was
IL written plainly in your eyes," Bet
les friend said, when, having with
reathless gratitude, agreed to his
Ian, Van Buford held her hands in his
While saying goodnight.
"You poor, darling bird. 1t is all
wing to you and your miserable lit
le song" Bette declared to the Sleep
ne canary, her eyes shining, and
low of delight on her face.
They met often, until the steamship
IT, taking Bettie's neighbor and Carl
cross the water.
do not be sorry to see him go. I'll
vatch over him. 1t is best for him." I
cunt Won Buford said, slowly, just
efore leaving.
There was something else which he
i'd not say, but which Bette read in
is eyes.
II will miss you sorely," she whis-
mi ~