Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1905-12-13
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| think that | owe you money, and /
that-that it is because | cannot pay |
you that the poor children will be-
homeless"
She stopped and put her hand TO
her eyes. 1t was not to hide the
tears, because there were none there
her misery was too great for tears.
What is to be done?" gasped the
woman, clasping her hands and star
ing woefully at the pale face of the
girl, as if she could find succor there
Il do not know" repeated Leola,
simply. Il have tried--ever since my
mothers deatbto earn some money.
did earn some, and paid you while
| could; but now-yes, that is all
have"
The woman dried her eyes, sobbing
still, and looked at the girl.
Poor dear!" she said, TREMENDOUSLY,
you think me mathematician
think It cruel of me to ask you for
money
No not" interposed Leola.
"But-I'm not, feel for you. Miss,
seeing you are a lady, born lady. as
anyone can see
LeoIa shook her head.
Yes, anyone can see 1t, repeated
the landlady, brought to such
pass. But what" ,if moaned de
spairfully, what am ) do with the
poor children"
Yes, you have them TO thiak OF,
said Leola, with sigh. For me it
matters little am quite alone
whether die tonight or next week,
what does It matter; a useless unit
in this great, hard-heartei city
"Oh. Miss. don't talk like that; you
make me turn cold sohbed the wo
man You aren't alone while there's
me and the children Wen cling To-
gether. we will! If the landlord turns
us out wen keep together
For the first time the girls eyes
grew moist
Forgive me, Miss. and forget as
asked you for money" continued che
landlady. Il wouldn't have done
If. Heaven knows if hadn't been SO
hard pushed: and thought you had
got some pupils-some little girls TO
teach music to-"
Leola shook her head.
They would net take me Without
character, she said, almost bitterly,
they were afraid that | might steal
something if went into their houses
/ without character"
"Ycu steal" cried the woman, in
iignantly through her tears-"you, as
anyone can see is lady born and
bred, Oh. dear, oh, dear"
Suddenly she uttered a cry, and
turned. trembling, to the door. She
had heari--debtors ears are sharp
! footsteps on the stairs.
IT'S the landlord" she breathed
tremblingly aud sank into a chair,
holding her apron in her clasped
/ hands.
There was dead silence. There
were footsteps on the stairs and pres
emily there came the dreaded knock.
Neither Of them could speak. and
after the knock had been repeated
three times the door was opened, and
a gentleman looked into the room.
lie was an old gentleman. with a
keen but not unpleasant face, in which
pair of keen gray eyes were tho
most conspicuous feature, and was
dressed in sober black.
The la..-...4y uttered a cry or gasp
of relief. Evidently II was not the
! landlord.
"Is-does Miss Dale live here?" he
asked. holding the door in his hand,
! ana looking from one to the other
with mingled hesitation and expects
ancy.
The landlady rose and dropped
trembling courtesy. Leola sat quite
motionless
Yes, sir" she said tremu.ously;
''this-th is Miss Dale"
| The old gentleman removed his hat
aud bowed. AMI faint expression Of
! relief crossed his wrinkled face.
DO you wish 10 see her, sir?" salt
Mrs. Tibbett thinking. in her desp ,ir.
| that this was, Of course, the messen-
ger OF fresh trouble
Il wish to have little converse.
ton with her said the old gentleman.
Don't" and he smiled as he came
| into the don't be afraid
no. no. sir" said good Mrs lib
bett but Miss Dale isn't very well.
so, am sorry to say, I see" he
responded with a sympathetic glance
at Leola's pale face.
Leola rose, with her hand on the
back of the chair and Mrs. Tibet,
bowling. brought forward another
chair, and busting IT, prepared slowly
to withdraw,
Il shall be In the next room.
Miss Dale" she said, timidly, as If she
-, thought Leola might presently require
some assistance.
IAN right. all right said the oh
gentleman, with a nod and a smile of
encouragement Don't be afraid, my
good woman" and as he followed her
to the door, which he closed after her.
he patted her gently on the shoulder.
This made Mrs Tibet cry, and
crying she disappeared.
Leola motioned him to a chair, and
seated herself expectantly.
The old gentleman looked arcslnl
the room through his gold eyeglasses.
and then back at Leola
| I'm afraid have intruded at an in
/ convenient time" he sail respect