Northern Wisconsin advertiser. [volume] (Wabeno, Wis.) 1898-1925, 1906-04-05
By Charles Carvice

they both stared at it-then the elder
burst into tears.
What is to become Of us-and the
poor childreni"
Leola Dale shook her head.
Il do not know" she said, simply,
despairfully. Il cannot think. r.
if | could pay you, l would; if there
was anything | possessed you should
have it. But-but / am penniless;
have nothing left" and her lips
quivered. Il am quite, quite alone, and
| tonight / must go out into the wide
world! That / could bear; but when
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 death--to 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 dearl" she said, TREMENDOUSLY,
you think me hard-hearted-you
think it cruel of me to ask you for
money"
mo, no." interposed Leola.
"But--I'm not! l feel for you, Miss,
seeing you are lady, a born lady, as
anyone can sec"
Leola shook her head.
Yes. anyone can see it," repeated
the landlady, brought to such a
pass! But what" she moaned de-
spairfully, what am / to do with the
poor ch.ldren?"
Eyes, you have them to think of"
said Leola with a sigh. For me it
matters little. am quite alone.
whether | die tonight or LeAt week,
what does 1t matter; a useless unit
In this great, hard-heartej city,"
"Oh, Miss, don't talk like that; you
make me turn cold" sobbed the wo-
man. you aren't alone while there's
me and the children. Well 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 the
landlady. Il wouldn't have done
it, Heaven knows, il | hadn't been 50
hard pushed; and thought you had
got some pupils-some little girls to
teach music to-"
Leola shook her head
They would not take me without a
character" she said, almost bitterly
they were afraid thai / might steal
something II ! went into their houses
without character"
You steal" cried the woman, in
dignantly through her tears-''you. as
anyone can see is lady born and
bred Oh, dear! oh, dear!"
Suddenly she uttered cry, and
turned, trembling, to the door. She
had heari--debtors ears are sharp
footsteps on the stairs.
Its the landlord" she breathed
tremblingly and sank into chair,
holding her apron in her clasped
hands.
There was a dead silence. There
were footsteps on the stairs andpres-
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.
He was an old gentleman. with a
keen but not unpleasant face, in which
a pair of keen gray eyes were the
most conspicuous feature. and was
dressed in sober black.
The landlady uttered cry or gasp
of relief Evidently Il was not the
landlord.
'1s docs Miss Dale live hereg" he
asked, nolulng the uoor IN MS manu-,
and looking from one to the other
with mingled hesitation and expect
ancy.
The landlady rose and dropped a
trembling courtesy. Leola sat quite
motionless.
Yes, sir" she said TREMENDOUSLY;
"this-this is Miss Dale"
The old gentleman removed his hat
and bowed, and faint expression of
relief crossed his wrinllled face.
Do YOU wish 10 see her, sirg" sale
Mrs. Tibbett. thinking. in her despair.
that this was, of course, the messen-
ger of fresh trouble
II wish to have little conversa-
ton with her." said the old gentleman.
Don't and he smiled as he came
into the room-"dont be afraid"
no, no, sir" said good Mrs. lib
bett; "but Miss Dale isn't very we'll"
so. ! am sorry to say. see" he