Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1906-04-02

Continued,

Leslie returned the bow aDSently
and went out, and it was not until she
had got into the crowded streets that
she thought of the girl. Then she
remembered that she, too, was
dressed in black, and that, though but
poorly, she was dressed and looked
like a lady. 20
She thought no more of her than
this, and after a weary walk she re-
turned home and rang for some tea.
When the door opened she was sur
prised to see the girl instead of Mrs.
Brown; and the surprise must have
shown itself in her face, for the visi
tor colored and stopped on the TIRES
hold.
Il beg your pardon" she said.
4 hope you will forgive me, but
Mrs. Brown has sprained her wrist
and she asked me-that is, offered
10 come instead of her."
Il wanted some tea; but it does
not matter"
ooh, but will get it for YOU she
said Il will get anything for you;
that is, if you don't mind my doing it
instead of Mrs. Brown
Leslie looked at her more attentive
", and saw a pleasant, amiable face,
with eyes beaming softly through eye
glasses perched on a tip-tilted nose.
"You are very kind" she said in
her low, musical voice. But l do not
think l ought to trouble YOU
ooh, it is no trouble, Miss Lisle,'
said the girl, still standing on the
threshold, as if she dared not ven
ture further.
you know my name?" said Leslie,
with faint smile.
yes" said her visitor, with a nod
'half-grave, half-smiling, and wholly
friendly and propitiatory. Mrs
Brown told me, and-and about your
trouble. l am so sorry! But"-as
Leslie winced-"I won't talk of that
III see that you have some tea"
will you not come in?" said
Leslie.
The girl came into the room timid-
ly, and took the chair which Leslie
drew forward for her.
Il think I saw you in the hall yes
terday," she said. You are ledger,
like myself?"
Eyes; oh, yes" replied her visitor,
nodd:ng; and l asked Mrs. Brown
who you were, and she told me. hope
YOU don't think me inquisitive?" she
colored timidly.
mo. oh, no. 1t was a mutual
question" said Leslie. "Will you
tell me your name?"
"Oh, yes; my name is Somes-Lucy
Somes,"
And you are paying a visit to
I,ondon?" said Leslie, trying to inter
est herself in this pleasant-looking
girl who had from sheer kindness
acted as the landlady's substitute.
"A visit? Well, scarcely that. I'm
bAre''-she hesitated-"On business.
But I must not keep you waiting for
your tea
MY tea can wait until Mrs. Brown
can get it
ooh. but I am going to get it for
YOU, unless"-she hesitated, but, en-
couraged by Leslie's faint smile, she
continued-"unless you wouldn
mind coming down TO my room and
taking tea with me. have Just
cot mine. and should be so pleased
if YOU would come"
Leslie did not respond for moment
or two Trouble makes solitude very
dear to us. But she fought against
the desire to decline.
Thank you; I shall be very
pleased"
Come along, them
Leslie followed her downstairs, and
Tuev Somes showed her into the tiny
room which served her for bed room
and sitting Groom.
81 hope you won't mind" said
rucv. with sudden blush on her
PLEASANT face: "but you see l am not
able to afford two rooms, and So
"Whv should I mind?" said Leslie,
IN her gentle voice.
"Oh, I can see that you have been
used to something better than TINS,
said Lucy, busting to and Iro as sne
smoke. and adding another cup and
saucer and plate to the tea-th'ngs on
the small table. 4 laughed to my
self when Mrs. Brown said you were
= real lady-those kind of persons
make such mistakes-but | see that
she was right But lady does not
condemn poverty, does she?" and she
laughed as she cut some bread and
butter.
Especially when she is poor her
SELF" thought Leslie; but she only
smiled.
And so I thought 1 would venture
to intrude upon you" continued Lucy
Somes. 81 was half afraid, for you
look so-so-I want a word-it isn't
proud-so aristocratic and reserved,
so to say, that | quite trembled, so it