The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1865-02-07
THE 6AIE CITY
TUESDAY. FEB. Z
.Ea1aD Tag sCEHss.

,.n Aetaiu her oos-1ho eeat = m0ss PauO
s..l than the clock itSslf I Il
''1 I, was vas scarcely ! foom 10 which Lasrs
A very was sitt;ng-rather : magnificent
with draperies Of embroidered
lace.
diff rentlv our lots have been ordered in
sh;s World. her parents dead--thsir wealth
irretrevably lost and she too proud to 90
cen, a cent that she has not laboriously
earned Oh, dear" and Laura sighed
again. lust as the clocks liquid voice
chimed the half hour.
.Sbe Decent come," soliloquised the
nnxzled little damsel. "There's some
thing the matter. Perhaps she is sick
oh. yes, she must be sick III send James
to inqulrc-no. III go myself"
Before the sentence was out of her lips
she was up in her own room adjusting 81
soft gray shawl over her black silk dress,
and tying the strings Of quiet little brown
velvet bonnet, whose one crimson rose,
among its trimmings of emerald moss,
was not pnlike the bloom of her own
cheek.
III dor't think it is going to snow" she
pondered, looking out at the gray, threat
ening sky, as she drew on her perfectly
fitting kid gloves. "At any rate. shall
walk very fast"
As she came through the softly carpet
ed vestibule servant approached her.
"a note, Miss Laura--it come five
minutes ago."
All the rose was several shades in the
background now, as Laura Avery broke
open the scented seal, and glanced over
the delicate, cream colored sheet, with a
bright, hall suppressed smile dimpling the
corners Of her mouth. Yet the note was
very simple one after all:
"MY DEAR Miss AVERY. May / prom
Use myself the pleasure of accompanying
you to hear the new opera tonight? I'm
less receive message to forbid me,
will call for you at half.past seven.
Your most devoted slave and subject
ELORAN RIcHLEY."
Laura instinctively slipped the note in
to her bosom, ~ if fearful lest the yer
pictures on the wall should catch sigh
of the elegantly chirography, and pursue
her way down the gloomy street, withcye
that saw the murky atmosphere through
q radian glow Of colesr de rose.
Meantime the gay October light va
fading away from q dreamy room on thu
third floor OF a house situated on one o
those side streets where decent respecta
bility strives, hand TO hand, with the grin
assailaut want.
Singulary out Of keeping with tn
shabby and poverty stricken aspect Of th
little apsrtmrpt was newly-6nished dres
of luetrous purple silk, bright as the dye
Of Tyre, that lay folded on the table be
side the window, in such manner tina
you could see the costly trimming
wide border of purple velvet, edged OF
either eide with futing of white poin
lace. For poor Ellen Waynall was moth
ing more importan, than hard workip.
and poorly paid dressmaker.
She lay on the little white bed in th,
corner, with her flushed cheek pressed
close against the pillow, and her slende
figure partially covered by a coarse plaid
ed scarlet sha wi. while the occasional 10
voluntary contraction Of her forehead Dor,
witness to the pain she was meeky suf
feTing.
As one or lwo quiet tears escaped from
her closed eyeIids, and crept softly dowr
her check. light step sounded on III,
landing outside, aud knock came GENT,
to the pancs OF the door.
"Come in,' said Ellen, hurriedly,dss
ing away the tears. Laura, is it pos.ibr
that this is you, dear p
"Yes, IT is myself and none other, Nell
l could not imagine why you did not com
and get that dress. as you had appointed
but know the reason now. Why did 20,
not send for me ~
Ellen tried to smile family,
II am very sick, Laura; at least l bav
not suffered much pain until tonight
and the doctor says that if l only had
little wine-no, Laura. do not draw you
purse" she added with a slightly per
cept'ble sparkle in her eyes. and prou,
culver to her lips. 81 am not yet quit,
30 low as to accept charity. Don't lool
SO hurt and grieved, dsarest you know
now sensitive cannot help being on som,
points. 1t is only for little while; wher
am well enough to take that dress home
and receive the money for it, shall b,
enabled to purchase whatever may re
quire
Laura Avery knelt down a. her friend
bedside, with soft. pleading eyes.
Dear Ellen, you surely will not refuse
70 accept temporary loan from me p
Ellen shook her head With a gray.
smile.
81 can wait, laura
Laura looked from the dres. to Elier
with face Of patient perplexity. Sud
denly bright inspiration seemed to strik,
he
LET me take the dress home, Ellen T.
she exclaiu.sd. "The walk will be JUS
what seed, aud can stop q. Dubour'
Or the way back andDsder the vine fo
you. You win never Be strong unless yov
/. cosse, Yourself up . little. You will lie
me, Nell -
Ellen hesitsted . moment.
"But Lausa--"
mo butts 10 the matter. il you please
Nell" laughed Laura, glsefully beginnin
70 fold the rich dress into the little baske
A "A