Kingsbury County independent. (DeSmet, Kingsbury County, S.D.) 1894-1929, 1905-02-10

The harpist turned the handle OF the
door, pushed IL open and thrust aside
the heavy curtains that covered IL
For a moment she stood in III door
way, then she let the round arm fall
that held back the hangings, and the
beautiful face clouded duly.
'Oh, II is your she said coldly.
Marie told me a gentleman, but ]
SUPPOSE hat was a trick OF yours,
What do you want now 2" She crossed
the room n threw herself into q
chair.
She was dressed il SOME red flowing
garment that gave a briiliancy to her
lark beauty.
The group on the couch made q
striking contrast to her beauty and
splendor. 1t consisted OF an elderly
woman, a young girl of eighteen, and 9
child of nine or ten. All three We're
shabby and appeared pinched for lack
of food.
"Erda, how can you ?" the young girl
cried, Why should we employ a trick
IL we wished TO see you? Mother, may
we see her daughter, l suppose, when
she Wilt" The speaker paused. a
quick suspicion flashed across her face,
anger into her clear eyes. Unless you
nave been instructing your servant to
deny you TO u.s." she added Indignantly;
"and her message that you We're not at
home, the last three times we called,
has been a lie!"
Indeed / was out: | am almost all
ways out. what with engagements and
touting for engagements and rehears-
ais she retorted angrily. Though
lie anything would max me a such a
course" she added with hardness, 1T
would be scenes such as these. Moth
er, / am expecting a visitor very short
fy, II you can ON another time
II can come any time you wish,
DEAR" said the mother sadly. Il am
only anxious TO know how things are
going with you. If you are beginning
to do well-os the papers say-and can
return a little Of
"A little of the money you have ex-
pended upon mel" Edra finished the
sentence With an angry drawl. 1T Is
the old story. What a thing ii is IL
have a mother for ones creditor.
When will you pay back the money
when will you pay back the money? II
is the question which is always being
dinned into my ears!"
Two bitter tears crept into the elder
woman's eyes. Dear, / did not know
that I had asked you SO often" she
said gently. The time seems SO much
longer to us than 1t does to you But
1t seemed as il things were at last .go-
Ing well with you. We see your name
IN SO many DldCcS-dIQ you KNOW we
agreed to spend all that we had on
your talent, and you were to see what
you could do in six months. That was
nearly a yea ago."
Il did not know what I was doing
when | agreed TO that said the girl
3ulkily. Now, when at last / am MAXI
ing Roadway. you would hamper and
ruin me with
"Erda!" The woman's cry was the
- Of nm min
Janet's lips were white with niger as
she put a comforting arm around her
mother. hen for the first time the
child spoke.
Mother cries SO because she doesn't
have enough to eat she said simply.
Tears crept into her own blue eyes.
Erda turned roughly away. Moth
2r," she said. lin three months | shall
he able TO repay you perhaps, who
knows, sooner than that / wish /
could ask you to stay now. but. as i
said, | am expecting a visitor-a gem
tleman who has a great regard for
me. In spite OF all my faults he is
only waiting this opportunity to ask
me to be his wife" She made an
ironieal bow to her sister. Mother. he
Is a rich man; / shall be able to do
more than ray back this money when
am his wife"
PhS AN5bN0 cAI nm apCii lAlt
tel-piece and waited. Every lire of the
graceful attitude said Go" but the
mother. trembling. essayed one last
word. 'Erda. not for our sakes, nor
for any ones, must you marry a man
whom you do not love-
Erda did not reply.
DO not be afraid, MOTHER said
Janet quietly. neither for our sakes,
nor for any one else's, but fer her own,
will she do this or any other deed
They moved toward the door, upon
Erda's face still that smile which
meant her coolest and most unforgfv-
ing mood, as those who knew her
well.
AT the door the cnr1d urned MOTH
er meant TO tell you our new address,
Erda." she said: but perhaps she
didn't like tot isn't at all a nice
street. 1t Is Irwell street just by
the prison. You can reach it in the
train il you ever want to come. but ii
Is rather n long way. n twopeuny ride -