Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1865-06-20
8 Where is it TO 90 ? II


Ellen did not see the scarlet blush that rose to
uer friends lovely cheek, as she stood with her
back to the bed, sm .othlng the ustrouS breadths
oi purple siik. Mrs. Kchleys Laura was al
mos. sorry that she had volunteered to 20, but it
aas too late to retrlct her offer now
"Whst a selfish Ii.le creature ! am" che
mnsed " Poor Nelly needs the money 80 much,
nd cannot 30 for 1t herself, and it ism t ut all
.keIy that | shall see Florian. will go-thers
5 an end Of IT,"
Thank YOU, dear Laura, it IS 80 kind ofyou,"
said Ellen ierysnlly as Miss Avery came TO the
bedside with The bskel on her arm, aud black
veil drawn closely over the brown velvet bonnet.
She owes me three dollars for this dress, and
laere are seven dollars on The old account that the
aas never }et pld m"
len d ,ii4r,! Ri collect r., never fe4f," said
aura 2,uy, A5 sh3 diapJennd, while to poor
Eaen il seemed as il the sunshine all died out
slth the brigh. presence Of her beautiful lr end
Il was nearly dlsk when Miss Avery, summonlng
up all her reto utl0n, assembled the brown stone
steps Of TIE kIchley mansion and rang the bell.
is Mrs. Rch.ey st hOme )"
" What's your business with Mrs. Rchley 3"
,sAed The servant, suspicou,ly scfunzlng the lit-
e basket thh sue carried. Laura bit her lips.
Inis mtnner from serv = was entirely Il nes eI-
pefeace TO her, yet nos often must poor Ellen
nave endured H.
81 bas- called to bring homs dress that was
llaiaael Tor her she sad IN tone Of quiet dig
ud}.
".On-4h-ye', vel. s'p5se you'd best walk
in.
The servant conducted her up stairs to a sort
( sitting room, or boudor, where Mrs. kchIey,
Fofy dame ol about hity, gorgeou,ly dfe sed
81 crimson slk, was sitting 10 her easy chair 10
itan. 81 glowing coal fire. LAURA was uwardly
grateful that The gas had not been lighted, par
ucuary when shs observed that Mr.. Fiouan
kchy vas lounsiugon velvet soia in one Of The
window recesses Mrs. X chiy looked up as the
servant usbefed in the new conner
Well, young woman, Whst DO you want"
Lauu- cleek unged at the tone Of cotrs4 10.
so.eacs IN which she wa, ad dressed, but she com
manded herself TO reply meeklyi
i have brought houe your dress, Mrs. Rich
~ nere is Mi.s waynsl?"
She is 3D.
Very eel, lay down the dress; i, is oil
right"
Bai Laura stood her ground v,IisntIy
MIS- Waynall would like the money tonight,
M d.m-ssyen do srs on the old account and
three for the dress.
1t ]. not convenient tonight"
" Bui Mrs. kchley, Miss Wsynall is III and
needs the money ietsisted Laura
"frere Flouan,' ID Mrs Kchley petuhnt-
~ addressing The young man in the Turkbh
dressing gown aud eIaboraiely arranged hair, i"
told YOU JUS how il would be h"
What the deuce Is the matter ntv?' snap
! pshIy asked Forin, forthe first time condescend
ing to evlnce any interest 10 what was going on.
Why, these mperIinent dress making people
are always chmorng for money, just when you
have drained ne oi my last cent
a. LEI 'em chmor, then, that my advice said
| tlorAn, without taking the trouble TO move his
head
" Just give me back that ten.doll,r bill, Flor.
jin,' urged bis mother You can't want /, to.
night.
Bat DO want it, {, happens said FIor.n
/ Icoah.
e You are st going to friier it away in some
Of th1.e gambling PAGES, to drink yourself stupi,
tgau, fre.ttd Mrs. kichey. "lt', too bad, get
tng my money aw'y rom me Just to indulge IN
hose horrd habits Why don't you earn money
/ for ,oarsriii"
"Esy, Mamma, easy" said the duifu son,
IzIiA dragging himself to a sitting posture.
(" Don't lose your temper, for il is ut worth while
HIS ten.dolllr bI is going TO help m,ke my for
tune. L shilI take the lovely Laura to the opera
tonight"
" Noasensei this fine scheme will fish in the
par just ike all the rest Of your castles in the
ar She won't have YOU"
"0h yes, she will, my neredulou. mamma,
wait ltd zee shall bring her to the point pret-
~ soon. Then I'll pay you back The money With
interest cut Of my hdy'. bag Of sinners"
=" And viii YOU lie We 1T your gambling habits
Oh, florian, they will be the ruin Of YOU YET"
: Perhaps, perhaps not" returned the young
man lnsoIenliy That will be very mucn as
please
Both the mother and her hopeful son had
apparently entirely forgotten the presence Of the
young girl Eho was standing IN The du,ky shad-
ows near The door, until this moment, when Mrs.
klehley, turning sharply round si~ her,
What are you waiting for =? she asked irri-
tably. " | have already told you that il was not
convenient to pay the money tonight. Why
DO nj lou 90 about your business?"
Her cheeks were flushed, even beneath their
artificial bloom Of rouge, ard her chill gay eye.
sparked with rising anger, as Laura Ay ~ com.
posedly advanced forward. She took one Of the
wax npers iron its china shell and lighted the
gas with steady hand, whose hl,h Of rich rings
struck Mrs. Rlchley with astonishmeut
Lam sorry thtyou clnnet pay your Just debts,
Madam, said Laura quietly looking the amazed
mother snd sou 10 the lace but am not sorry
fer any occurrence that has had the fec, Of open
ing my eyes 10 the true character of Mr.. Flotnn
Richey. will rke ten dollars, sir, to my sick
iriend as GU will find it entirely unnecessary
10 20 to The expeu,e of taking Miss Laura Avery |
To the opera tonight"
Forian's handsome cheek had grown pae-hi, .
knees quitered beneath him as he mechanically .
took The bl from his poke, book md placed i, .
IN The hand of The impet tive beauty, while Mrs.
Richly sank back sghasl into the cushioned arm.
chair
Foriln made one desperate effort to retrieve
his lost forute even in the moment Of sore defeat
and Iisoomf,ute
=" am very sCrry--svkward mistske-hope
youwlIl afford me an explanation" be stammered.
. require no explanation sir" was L,uras
cold reply, ss She withdrew from the apartment,
hAogbl ami nnspptoiohabls as statue Of ice.
She hurried humeward through the twilight
stfees, with a burning cheek and beating heart,
and it was nearly dark when once more she
entered Ms WAynnl's room, lighted only by the
FAINT glow Of the low FIRE.
" Back so soon, Laura asked Ellen, some
Nha' surprised
" Here is the money, Nelly, and the vine,' she
said, thankful that the dim light could not betray
afr leI-Ale features. "Apd now you must get
well as tst as you cam
On Laun, am so much obliged to you"
SAID Ellen, earnestly
MA sf1,t.rl q. L.. L. 4. l. =