Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1855-03-09


; rapidly exchanged her dress for the blac
, one, put on the cloak aud bonnet with
: thick Grape veil, took her parcel in he
hand, and ran lightly down the ,hickI
carpeted stairs.
5 There were many strong bolts and bar
and chains, to remove from the stree
! door. but fortunately it was not locked
, She removed all these obstructions. bu
hesi,ated to shut the doors for fear o
wakenine any one. and giving the alarm,
A carriage that rat,led past over the hare
stones gave her an opportunity. Under
cover Of the cIatter she closed the dooI
gently, and in another moment she wa:
Fastening at a rapid pace out Of the
square. Half an hours brisk walking
brought her to mean looking house in
bye.street. She rang ,imidly at one OF
the many bells that graced the door-posts.
Immediately a window opened in the
second floor and woman's voice de-
manded who was there.
Il want to speak with Mrs Merson, i'm.
media,ely,' replied Alice.
why bless me " cried the woman. ii
it isn't Mss Gardner I'll come this mo-
ment Miss
In a short time the door was opened,
and showed n tall, thin, woman with a
wearied expression of countenance, who
held up the candle that she carried, as if
to convince herself that her ears had not
deceived her, ard that it was indeed Miss
Gardner who was her her visitor at that
unusual hour. Alice hurried in and
closed the door behind her.
Il have sometimes been able to render
you little services, Mrs Merson, she said
and now | am come TO ask of You a
great one in return. Give me shelter
and obtain work for me such as you do
YOURSELF
You, Miss Alice !! exclaimed Mrs
Merson.
Yes, replied Alice, 4 will tell you all
about it. Let me come up stairs.
shall feel safer in your ROOM
Mrs. Merson worked for maker OF
theatrical costumes, and she was busted
in completing some that she had to take
home on the following morning, when
Alices ring had disturbed her. She lis
tened in wonder to the young lady's s,o.
ry, but offered no opposition to her wish.
es, and the next day saw the rich heir.
ess, Miss Alice Gardner, stitching away
in miserably furnished room, Singing
like Il lark, and feeling as free and happ,
as any bird under heaven. One remark
Of Mrs Mer>on's may give clue to d
better understanding CT the sequel. LA
Miss Alice, dear How beautifully yol
do sing. Why there's dozens Of the
ladies tina, sing OIL the stage. ,ha, haven
got half such good voices"
About a year after the mysterious dis
appearance of Alice Gardner. and wher
her friend, Julia Hutton was gradual
Ily yielding to the general belief tina,
the unfortunate young lady had destroyed
herself, ho,e written in well known
hand was received BY her. l, contained
a ticket for private box at must n",
say what theatre and the one word .
secrecy" written inside the envelope.
julia SCiCS'ed u Pa''y VI h'.HuS "
whom Alice was unknown, and went il
eager expectation Of meeting her long
lost.(riend or at least of seeing her among
the audience. While her opera.gIa>>
was peering into box after box, regard
less of what was going on upon the stage
the accents OF familiar voice fell upo.
her ear. She turned and instantly re-
cognised in lavour,e actress whom
she had much wished to see her dear,
loved friend. Alice Gardner. She could
scarcely wait for the next day before pay
ing visit to the fashionable actress, ait,
hearing her adventures. They were
soon told. Acting upon Mrs. Merson
hints she had applied herself to s,udyin.
for the stage; and her fine figure an'
face, and the great natural talent sh.
possessed, had quickly secured for her a,
excellent engagement. Mrs Merson
now plump and happ-looking, was reliev
ed from her weary drudgery, and fulfill
ed the easier duties of her lady's maid.
you cannot imagine how happy am
dear Julia she concluded. now that
am free and earning my own living il
a profession that is most honourabl,
when followed by honorable people,