Bunner Sisters

the shop, colourless and long their eveningsabout the lamp, aimless their habitual

per. The Bunner sisters were not in a position to belavish of the humblest hospitality, but two or three times in theyear they shared their ev

stream of anecdoteand ejaculation; and her round black eyes jumped with acrobaticvelocity from one face to another. Miss Mellins was always havingor hearing of amazing adventures. She had surprised a burglar inher room at midnight (though how he got there, what he robbed herof, and by what means he escaped had never been quite clear to herauditors); she had been warned by anonymous letters that her grocer(a rejected suitor) was putting poison in her tea; she had acustomer who was shadow

fmental nourishment from the Police Gazette and theFireside Weekly; but her lot was cast in a circle where suchinsinua

e was to tell me, but over a yearbefore ever I was born, my mother she went to see a gypsy fortune-teller that was exhibited in a tent on the Batt

, and she'llsuffer from spasms.'""Mercy!" murmured A

asms before, Miss Mel

the day she doneit, but as Emma said, she got more advice than she wanted from theliving, and if she was to listen to spectres too she'd never besure what she'd ought to do and what she'd oughtn't; but I will sayher husband took to drink,

ver it--well, there it set, right in front of where the minister stoodthat was going to marry 'em, a coffin covered with a black velvetpall with a gold fringe, and a 'Gates Ajar

it a candle to guide

ghtair stirred the close atmosphere of the back room; then there

Ra

avy sea, and thedress-maker's eyes, distended

mewhat disconcerted by the presence of Miss Mellins. "Just tosee

ers were not sorry to let Miss Mellinssee that they received an occasional evening visit, and MissMellins was clearly enchanted at the opportunity of pouring herlatest tale into a new ear. As for Mr. Ramy, he adjusted himselfto the situation with greater ease than might have been expected,and Evelina, who had been sorry that he should enter the room whilethe remains of supper still lingered on the table, blushed withpleasure at

treating figures, "I'd no idea your sisterwas keeping company. On'y to think!"Ann Eli

en, Miss Mellins. We

e dress. I've always seen her in a gored satin withrooshings."Ann Eliza made no answer. She had grown very pale, and hereyes lingered searchingly on Evelina as the younger sister re-entere

en a flaw in hersister's beauty, and her involunta

al at her prayers. In the silence of thedarkened room she was offering up certain dre

for the welfare of the clock? And what charms butEvelina's could have induced him to repeat his visit? Grief heldup its torch to the frail fabric of Ann Eliza's illusions, and witha firm heart she w