The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1885-06-13 00:00:00

SATURDAY, aTNE 13, 1885.

[ALL nionrs RESEEVED,.]
STRIVE AND THRIVE.

CHAPTER XXV.
AN UNWELCOME STRANGER.
IVALNVO
SS RTH could not long rest under the weight
of obligations which her hospitable friends imposed
t11113°4 her; and when a few days had elapsed, and by
.leir aid she had procured some necessary clothing,
64e announced her determination of seeking employ-
itilliei,nt• She saw plainly that she could do nothing for
Sibllalds which would remunerate them for the
41PPort of herself and brother; and although she
uld have been too happy to make her home with
ern, she never could consent to do so as a dependant.
ft When her friends found that her resolution was
they reflected how they might best aid her endea-
e°urs at self-suppert, and many were the plans dis-
ted in family council for this purpose.
ti,'ewsPapers were consulted, and long lists of adver-
ki-znents were daily examined, to see if there were
3' wants which Eda could supply.
Don't you think, Sally," said Grace, one morning,
stthat it would be a good plan to take Eda to our
„llish cousins, the Minks? They must have plenty
u ,lainP sewing to do, and embroidery, too.'
1 have thought of them," replied Sally; "but I do
toot like to ask favours of such people, who seem almost
nave forgotten us since they have become rich.
3' Were glad enough to associate with us before
eoor Arthur S death?.
84;;;IN must not mind that, if we can assist Eda,"
Grace. "I am sure Ido not want to visit such
a
grane people, nor to have them visit us. How would
„..s.tten over-dressed ladies look making a morning-call
a Parlour like this, with their carriage and liveried
ervants at the door?"
lit" Neither do I want them," said Sally; "but I do not
to be overlooked just because lam poor. Every-
{r-'uY knows that the Alink s would be nothing except
401.
their money, and that but for thatterrible accident
tWhilieb deprived us at once of our brother and nephew,
eY would have been as poor as we are now."
" And poor Arthur would have had all that immense
ealth," added Grace. "I am sure he would never
ave made such a ridiculous display of it."
e This subject was, of course, one of frequent dis-
,lission between the unfortunate sisters ; and it was
Levived now chiefly because they wished Eda to be
',donned on a topic of so great interest to themselves.
al Some part of these facts, of course, Miss Walworth
ready
y knew. Her first interview with Grace had made
h •e • acquainted with the loss of Arthur Sibbald and his
"4'3', by the calamity of which she had herself so
c'earlY been a victim, and she had subsequently heard
nl the sisters something of the great fortune which
been diverted -from their family by this memor-
Ve catastrophe. Of the Minks, upon whose shoulders
lgolden shower had alighted, she had never before
sikeard ; nor of course could she have the slightest
CAP,,inion that she had once seen and conversed with
'lead of that now aristocratic family, at her own
t's,,attllie' and
onthe very day when her acquaintance
Grace commenced.
'though Sally Sibbald tried hard to keep down
resentment at the upstart Minks, it awoke to new
Whenever the name was mentioned; and she
have proliably submitted to any amount of
ullaffering rather than have asked a personal favour at
e hands of any of the family.
10,,1311t she believed that she ought not to let this feel-
astb ePerate to the prejudice of her friends, especially
ti,:he was certain that it would be rather conferring.
tu 11 receiving an obligation, to supply them with
Vtl a seamstress as Eda was sure to prove. .
at 0 was accordingly resolved that application should
• ne be made at the millionaire's, and Sally, over-
all scruples, accompanied the anxious girl to
great house on that very day.
The
Y were received with much affability and con-
Y by Mrs. Mink, who, to their great delight,
weaa.red
that a seamstress was exactly what she did
ka"4la and she believed she could give steady employ-
eat for six months to a competent person.
cog Yell know Miranda has a great deal of extra
tivrK about these days," she added, with an expres-
e 100 k at Sally, "especially embroidery, which she
c 0 es to have done under her eye. Her dresses, of
th,,ilrse, are all given out, and the colonel complains of
enormous bills. We discharged one young
arld• rean only a few days since for some impertinence,
We had found no one to take her place. We
savre Paying her nearly two dollars a day, and I dare
voj 'Veur friend from the country would be glad to
for half that price."
14; ta expressed her perfect willingness to do so.
'aynke you any speciments of your work ?" asked
-aiss r
ao„ alworth produced some, which were pro-
4"nced highly satisfactory.
etxPect Miranda every moment," continued the
eek;„" 'She and her pa, that is to say the
at are out driving, but they were to be at home
eo, Wo, which it is now several minutes past. Of
a.ss-irse, I prefer to see Mi. before deciding positively,
lle.r"'e may have engaged some one. Besides, I want
1i1te.,t,4 see your work, which I am sure she w
e great colonel and,his dashing daughter came at
al-• Miranda was met at the front door by her
t:ther, who detained her there a few moments,
ive her some account of the visitors who awaited
"
_
the r "' I am very glad," she said, as she sailed into
ah ajecun, richly dressed, and extended a hand, with
Bair, ef great condescension, to Miss Sibbald.
1i1,443' took it, feeling very much as if she would
bite it, but replying politely to Miss Mink's
utation.
aa',;eid am so glad you have brought us help," she
friehr,' quickly, and before Sally could introduce her
'• This is the young woman, I suppose. What
41011 say her name was, mother?"
lile Miranda spoke, her eyes were fixed in very
%I.:tit surprise upon the beautiful but greatly &s-
-e red Ede..
40 declare I never thought to ask," replied
41
rero,'"ss Walworth," said Sally, quickly, for she now
flnbered with some embarrassment that she had
114,1
°IIIY f3rltally introduced Eda even to Mrs. Mink. She
spoken of her as a young friend of hers from
'eutitry.
4111.11(1 When her name was pronounced, the mother
raer augbter at once exchanged glances; and the for-
tioaess' Who lacked the presence of mind which at all
ekei,• characterised Miss Mink, put up her hands and
1,8,r it possible that—that-----"
Very aY, mother, be quiet !" interposed Miranda,
tot kly. "I presume the young woman is
lkt,, n3' one whom you have ever seen or heard of
,erea,
of course not I did not say she was, did
kr
Mink had only in part recovered her self-
and still gazed with an air of actual alarm
AP, the fair young stranger.
spe-4;ss Sibbald had in the meantime been trying to
and she now said calmly, but earnestly—
kohl. was about to tell you, and should have done so
raoqer, only that the subject is for obvious reasons a
cta,,,,Painful one to me, that this young lady, Miss
tat "al:worth, was one of the passengers on that ill-
-811:4 boat on which my poor brother lost his life.
Nltbi her brother, were saved by the efforts of an
~;:" gentleman a Mr. Belmont, who was one of
ligr'sseogers' and who at the same time rescued an
ti
nleie child's parents were lost, and its rela-
,ke ue - advertised for by Miss Walworth's father,
'Qat G e d race to see it, hoping that it might prove to
tlisa,ear little Arthur In this, of course, we were
t'Poi t •
lth 1.11 ed, but it was thus that our acquaintance
klifort„_lss Walworth commenced. She has since been
kt)(tr""lae te—and—and—that is all."
tit cue pallor evinced the great agitation of both
tll4 4init and her daughter during the recital of
eor,, brief ,
1,-44r Sfeory ; but if this was observed, it was
h7rrati,eu only the natural effect of an exciting
-.4 upon ladies of a highly nervous tempera-
was fully confirmed by Miranda's
ht then, as mother and I suspected the moment.
t°411114." the name, for, of course, we had heard this
ae ae 'le story before, which, if I mistake not, was in
avvsPapers at the time. You have r tally been
`B heroine then Miss—a—Walworth."
oeh ,
w• a one as I hope never to be again," Eda re-
4h, ith a mile.
sr,,4lnes, verY well answered. And now as to—to
ceiree" Matters ; will you please to let me see the
ith y-43 °I your work which you have brought
thteaeu, the embroidery more particularly ?"
hteta wsillewed them, and Miranda, barely touching
th still ungloved and tremblieg fingers, in-
t, of), rePlied
yq:11 , 3'es—it's very nice—very fine indeed! We
th4,,r lccor,tqinly have work for you, either here or at
ki„73' 11,7:- We will send you word to-morrow, for I
You,' e too many engagements this morning to
another minute."
I,wla
qet g Part of Miss Mink's trepidation had been
te ore taler fear that Belmont might chance to call
IreNeei4L:a had departed. She had no especial reason
tiooent "441 that afternoon, but -as his visits were
eeel'and occurred at uncertain hours, she could
t,Ut th4ol-nte free from danger.
Vetie gatlannprincipled Miranda, although partaking
llopv,e°f duplicity which was designed to pre-
and Miss Walworth from meeting, was
koPtlaegn,, °rant of that far graver crime which lay
tiSitive to the fear of eivosure.
ilpei.,,,'ohSciences of her parents, rendering them
11(10 Ve
eereeli not trouble you to call again," Miranda
kQte, aocrer visitors went out. "I shall be sure to
1 ah(Alt see You soon, and make definite arrange-
.gtlies,j4 Work. Good morning."
14erantl We are not quite pushed out ! " said Sally,
eat e 37, hen -
°tics) h they were outside the door. "The
vcia ussy 1 I wish you would not touch ittr
" I will decline the work, if it
but I shall as certainly seek it else-
then
to Nve had better pocket the insult and
trzyzat it je,ther, for I know by experience how
t i Prove for you to obtain other eiTe.
Ything like remunerative prices. Ty: he
and able to pay. Bat see that you
431)ttaVi'e ean°ll(indlY, for it will be some satisfac-!
ks.,, 0 something towards spoiling Ow

CHAPTER XXVL
A GENEROUS OFFER.

GREAT was the commotion produced in Colonel
Mink's family by Eda's innocent call, and it was
difficult at first for either Honora or her daughter
to believe that she had not heard of Mr. Belmont's
arrival, and taken this mode of throwing herself in his
way.
But this view of the case was dismissed en reflec-
tion as highly improbable, and the next thought was
how to make most sure of keeping her in ignorance
of a fact, the knowledge of which might prove so
detrimental to Miranda.
'Ol course, she must not come here," said Miss
Mink; "and if we give her work, even though we
send it to her and send for it, it can hardly fail but
she will sometimes come for directions. We might,
indeed, request her not to come, but that would
quite shock her, I suppose, for this kind of people
have really quite high notions about being treated
with politeness."
"Never mind their notions," said the mother; "she
will be glad enough to get the work and the pay on
any terms that we choose to dictate."
"It isn't really necessary to have anything to do
with her, except to call there and make some excuse
for not employing her. Of course, then she would not
come again, and the danger would be very slight of
her learning anything about Belmont. People in their
station really know nothing of what is going on in our
circle."

"That's very true."
"And even if she should learn that he was here, and
if they should meet, mamma," added Miranda, glanc-
ing at the mirror, " /don't think there is much to be
apprehended."
"Neither should I, my child, if -"
"You don't know, perhaps, how far Belmont has
gone," added Miranda, in a lower voice; "and he
is evidently not a trifler. lam certain that the
evening before last he was on the point of declaring
himself, when papa came up to invita us down to
champagne and oysters. I would have given worlds
for another ten minutes. Not that it will make any
difference. It's sure to come, if I'm any judge of
signs; and I'm sure I ought to be, after having had
seven offers."

"Seven, my love ?
"Yes, counting Alarberry and that Portuguese, Don
what's-his-name?"

that yellow old fool! Yes, I'd forgotten him.
Well, I am very glad to hear you are getting on so well
with Belmont."

"What has become of pa? He knows nothing of all
this yet."
"Oh, he's gone to the stables with Richard. One
would think the man had been a coachman in his day,
by the way he follows up the horses. But mind, whai
he comes in, I wish to see him alone about this busi-
ness, and I will communicate the result of our deli-
berations to you."
"Oh, very well. I shall be glad enough to be out
of the way. You can decide; and all that I shall have
to do, will be to obey."
Colonel Mink received the startling intelligence of
Eda's arrival with marked agitation, and with an out-
burst of violent wrath at the ill-fortune which
threatened to expose his duplicity and to disappoint
his cherished plans.
He believed it improbable, indeed, that Belmont
would wed an obscure and portionless girl like Eda,
whatever might be her attractions or the associations
which endeared her to him; but he was sure that
he would discontinue his addresses to Miranda if he
should discover the bad faith with which his frank
and ingenuous confidence had been met.
Would it not be better, he asked himself, to hasten
to Howard, and proclaim the discovery of the object
of his search, trusting to his honour to ratify the
already implied engagement existing between himself
and Miranda? _ _ _

He hesitated, but conscience made him cowardly,
and he believed he saw a safer course. His ambition
to have a peer of the English realm for a son-in-law
(for such he believed Belmont was sure to become)
was so great, that he would leave nothing undone to
ensure its gratification, and a persistence in guilt was
resolved upon. He felt even proud of the sagacity
which dictated this scheme, in which he could see
nothing but the most certain success.

Miss Walworth and her friends were of course not
surprised to see the carriage of Colonel Mink at their
door on the next day after their visit to that aristo-
cratic family, but they were destined to be greatly
amazed by the nature of the errand on which Miss
Miranda had come, and which she lost no time in
explaining.
"My father will not listen," she said, "to the pro-
position to engage Miss Wadsworth—"
"Walworth," suggested Sally, somewhat sharply.
"Miss Walworth (I beg her pardon), in any hireling
capacity. He has too much respect for her virtues
and misfortunes, of which he has heard; and he hopes
that she will allow him to confer a more substantial
benefit upon both her and her excellent father—of
whom he has also learned much through a—e,—mutual
friend."

Eda looked really astounded zinw, and said that she
was obliged to Colonel Mink for his good opinion.
"The coloaci understands," continued Miranda,
"from an old friend of your father, that he has gone
to the Island of Jamaica in very poor health."
"Oh, yes ! " replied Eda, with a sigh. "He went
very early in the present autumn."
"And that he is unattended by any member of his
family, or by any near friend. Am I correct ? "
"Entirely so," replied Eda, quite breathless with
expectation of what was coming.
"The colonel cannot doubt," continued Miss Mink,
"that the daughter of such a father must be most
anxious to hasten to his side, to administer with her
own hands to his wants—to—to inspire him with new
hope, if hope yet remains; or, if otherwise, to solace
his last hours, and receive his last blessing."
Eda's head sank to the table beside her; violent
tremors convulsed her frame, and she sobbed aloud.
Miranda paused until her emotion had subdued, and
then calmly continued—
"You have answered me, Miss Walworth. I cannot
misconstrue these signs. You would like to join your
father in the West Indies."
" Would like to !" exclaimed Eda, clasping her
hands. "Heaven has no blessing in its gifts that I
should value so highly as this! It has been my daily
and nightly prayer."
66 It is answered, then!" said Miranda. "My father
authorises me to say that you shall go at once, if it 1,7
your wish."
"But I cannot go without Franky," interposed
Eda, with much simplicity. " I cannot leave him."
"Of course not. Pa will furnish you with abun-
dant means for your voyage out and back, and your
sojourn there through the winter; and he will even
take it upon himself to select a vessel for your passage.
He also begs that you will accept of this purse, to
enable you to make preparations for your journey.
Some other time he will disclose the name of the
friend to whose kind offices you are indebted for the
interest which he takes in your welfare."
Eda took the purse which Miss Mink had laid upon
the table, and rising, she advanced nearer to her as
she said—
"l will not affect to hesitate in accepting this
munificent kindness, but it seems to me like some
fairy tale. I assure you that I have been dreading,
while you spoke, that I should awake and find it a
dream. Tell your excellent father this, and tell him
that I have no words to express my joy or my grati-
tude."
Eda's voice trembled as she said this, and the tears
were rolling down her cheeks.
"You have expressed both very well," replied
Miranda, with a patronising air. "1 shall report
everything to the colonel, who, I know, will be
highly gratified. On what day will you be ready to
sail ? "

"Any day."
"Suppose there should be a vessel going to-mor-
row?"

"All the better! I will be ready."
And Miss Mink, after many polite adieus, and some
gracious invitations to tlie Misses Sibbald to visit her
after their home had been rendered lonely by the
departure of their friend, returned to her carriage
and drove off.
The Misses Sibbald looked silently into each other's
eyes for a moment after she had gone, like people
astounded.
"Well !" exclaimed Sally, "if the sky should fall
this minute, I should not be a bit more surprised
than I am now r'
"Nor I either," said Grace.

. -I.Sliouldn't Care much if it did, lam so delighted!"
replied Eda. "Where—where is dear Franky ? I
must run out and tell him."
(To be continued.)