The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1907-01-24
THE BARRIERS OF WEALTH
BY VENITA SElBERT


Fraulein Pauline Won Engelruhe
fitted about her dainty room, hum
ming a snatch OF song: now she paus-
ed to arrange a dish of Fiolets, now to
give her hair a coduettish little twist.
now to chirp softly TO her bird.
Fraulein Pauline's sewing girl bent
her head over the skirt she was alter
ing. hut not one OF these careless
GRACEFUL movements escaped her, and
her whole soul was filled with longing
and discomfort The fraulein was a
young German lady visiting some
American relatives: she was rich. she
was loved and admired and made
much OF. she could dit in her dainty
clothes and talk to her bird. The sew
ing girl stitched away fiercely.
BY and by Fraulein Pauline took up
a book. but her ioyely eyes wandered.
They studied the dark face of the girl
bent over her work. noted the sallow
skin, the tired droop of the shoulders.
the heavy frown. Presently a soft
hand was laid on the nervous fingers
that held the needle. and 4 gentle
voice said: my dear, tell me what 1t
is that troubles Youi"
The girl looked up with startled
eyes. then suddenly she burst into
tears. "Oh, fraule.n. hate to be poor!
l hate IL so. II is always work and
work and work. and | have no pretty
dresses and no pleasure, ! am ugly
and poor-and hate everything"
Poor child. poor chiId!" said Frau
lein Pauline. thoughfuliy. you are
young, and have nothing. and you are
thinking tina. I. too. am young and
have everything. am pretty and rich.
and admired--is 1t not SOL
NY child. do you think rich people
have everything they wish fort" she
said. softly. Il will tell you little
story. Far away in a German city. at
one of the great music concerts. an ar
tist and a young girl were introduced
to each other. These two met many
tines thereafter. and life was very
beautiful to them. Then came a
change. The mans eyes could no
longer hide the lore that lay behind
them. but he did not speak. The girl
was an heiress. and he feared to be
called a fortune hunter. She was also
welI-born. and he was but poor
American; her wealthy relatives look
ed cskance az him. He knew that he
was not a fitting match for her. The
girl did not want a fitting match; she
wanted q mate But. aci! she could
not speak. she could only wait.
The sewing Girl yentured to lay her
hand tenderly on the bowed head;
her eyes were Oiled with gentle tears.
Did you never see him again?" she
asked softly.
The other girl lifted her face.
Never again." she said. quietly. ut
is nearly two years ago now. am too
young not TO find JOY In nay friends.
my flowers and my birds. my books
and travelling. but the best thing In life
I have missed. because / am rich.
And now want yon to have holi-
day this afternoon. 1t is a beautiful
spring day. and you need some fresh
air. want you 20 walk In the park.
The skirt can wait until tomorrow"
The girl glanced obviously at a
large bundle that she had brought
with her. Those are vests" she said.
NY sister sews them. and must de-
liver them at the tailor shop this
afternoon. 1t Is away up on East
Thirtieth street"
4 will deliver them myself" said
Frauiein Pauline, her natural gaiety
breaking forth in delicious smiles.
oh. no. not you yourself They are
very heavy. and they make an ugly
bundle. Perhaps you could send some
one?"
NO: l shall play that am a vest
maker taking home my weeks work.
| wish To see how 1t feels. II will be
large fun"
Fraulein Pauline did not take a
car. She was good walker. and
ThirtIeth street did not seem far OF I:
nevertheless the vests we're so heavy
that before she reached her destina-
ton she grew very tired. She
glanced YEARLY up the street. and
suddenly her cheeks grew white. then
pink. A man was coming directly to-
ward her-a tall. brown-eyed man with
dark hair curling upward under his
straw hat. He bent upon her an eager
face
"Paul-Frauiein Paullne. Am l
dreaming that I see you here?" he ex-
claimed.
Tho frauiein stretched out TO him
her left hand. NO. Herr westcott,
Il is only me. and not dream at ali.
Ach. IL is good TO see you again. l
would give you both hands. but you
see the other Is occupied"
Herr Westcott dropped the little
hand he was holding. Certainly his
greeting had been too impulsive, and
his eyes saddened-
May | walk with your" he asked,
cautiously.
Il shall be glad. should like 10
talk of home;, Il seems so long since
left. ich habe fieimweh. You have
not forgotten the dear old city and the
pleasant little garden OF The Lions %
"Forgotten."