Cruel As The Grave

"I can easily imagine why. But in regard to my dear wife, you are

mistaken. Surely she has proved herself your friend."

"She is a noble lady, and I honor her. She is my benefactress, and I

thank her. But she is not my friend, and so I do not love her."

"I am sorry to hear you say so, dear."

"And I am sorry to be obliged to say so. But it is true. You are my

only friend, Mr. Berners. The only friend I have in the wide, wide

world."

"And do you love me?" inquired Lyon Berners, taking the siren's hand,

and utterly yielding to her allurements; "say, fair one, do you love

me?"

"Hush! hush!" breathed Rosa, drawing away her hand and covering her

face--"hush! that is a question you must not ask, nor I answer."

"But--as a brother, I mean?" whispered Lyon.

"Oh! yes, yes, yes! as a dear brother, I love you dearly," fervently

exclaimed Rosa.

"And as a dear sister you shall share my love and care always,"

earnestly answered Mr. Berners.

"And you will not be cold to me any longer?"

"No, dear."

"And you will come and listen to my poor little songs this evening, and

let me do my best to amuse you?"

"Yes, dear, I will throw over all other engagements, and delight myself

in your heavenly strains to-night," answered Lyon Berners.

"Oh! I am so happy to hear you promise that! Of late I have had no heart

to open the piano. But to-night I will awaken for you its most glorious

chords!"

He raised her hand to his lips, and thanked her warmly.

And just at that very instant Miss Tabitha Winterose appeared in the

doorway, her tall, thin form drawn up to its utmost height, her pale,

pinched face lengthened, and her dim blue eyes and skinny hands lifted

up in surprise and disapprobation.

"Well!" simultaneously exclaimed Mr. Berners and Mrs. Blondelle, as they

instinctively drew away from each other.

But Miss Tabitha could not easily recover her composure. She was shocked

and scandalized to see a gentleman and lady, who were not related to

each other, sitting so close together, while the gentleman kissed the

lady's hand!

"Did you want anything?" inquired Mr. Berners, rather impatiently.

"No, I didn't. Yes, I did," answered Miss Winterose, crossly and

confusedly. "I came after that lady there to tell her that I think her

child is going to be very sick, and I want her to come and look after

him. That is, if she an't more pleasanter engaged!" added Miss Tabitha,

scornfully.

"Please excuse me, Mr. Berners," murmured Rosa, sweetly, as she got up

to go out with the housekeeper "Old Cat!" she muttered, under her

breath, as soon as she was out of Lyon's hearing.