Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1865-04-14

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reply neekly:
II have brought home your dress, Mrs.
Richley.'
"Where is Miss Waynall 2"
"She is ILL.,"
"Very we'll clay down the dress; it is
all right"
But Laura stood her ground valiantly.
"Miss Wymnall would like the money
tonight, Madam-seven dollars on the
old account and three for this Dress"
| ut is not convenient tonight"
"But Mrs. Richley, Miss Wsynall is
i'll and needs the money. persisted Laura.
"There Florian," snid Mrs Richley
petulaatly, addressing the young man in
the Turkish dressing-gown and elaborate.
" arranged hair, Il told yea just how it
would be-"
"What tho duce is the matter now 7"
snappishly asked Florian, for the FIRST
time condescending to evince any interest
in what was going on.
"Why, these impertinent dress.making
people are always clamoring for money.
just when you have drained me Of my
last cent"
"Let 'em clamor, then, that's my ad-
vice." said Mr.. Florian, without taking
the trouble to move his head.
sr"Ju.t give me back that ten.dollar
bill, Florian," urged his mother: "You
can't want it tonight"
"But do want it, it happens" said
Florian, coolly.
"You are just going to fritter it away
in some of those gambling places, to
drink yourself stupid again." fretted Mrs
Richley. "It's too bad, getting my mon
ey away from me just 10 indulge in those
horrid habits! Why don't you e,rn
money for YOURSELF"
Easy, mamma, easy" said the duti-
ful son, lazily dragging himself to sit
ting posture. "Don't lose your temper,
for it isn't worth while. This ten.do!lar
bill is going to help make my fortune
It shall take the lovely Laura to the ope-
ra tonight"
"Nonsense; this 6ne scheme will fash
in the pan just like all the rest Of your
castles in the air. She won't have you. "
}, "Oh, yes, she will, my incredslous
. mamma; wait and see." l shall bring
, her to the point pretty soon. Then III
, pay you back the money with interest out
} Of my lady's bag Of sinners"
".And will you leave off your gambling
} habits? Oh, Florian, they will be the
ruin Of you yet"
Perhaps SO, perhaps not" returned
The young man iusolen'ly. THAT will
, be very much as please"
Both the mother and her hopeful son
had apparently entirely forgotten the pres.
! ence Of the young girl who was standing
in the dusky shadows near the door, until
this moment, when Mrs. Richley, turning
sharply round saw her.
"What are you waiting for p she
asked, irritably. II have already told
, you that it was not convenient to pay the
r money to-night-why don't you 60 about
> your business 2"
| Her cheeks were flushed, even beneath
their artificial bloom of rouge, and her
chill gray eyes sparkled with rising an.
ger, as Laura Avery composedly advanced
forward. She took one of the wax Ia.
pers from its china shell and lighted the
: gas withsa steady hand whose flash Of rich
: rings struck Mrs. Richley with astouish'
ment.
l am sorry that you cannot pay your
just debts, Madam" said Laura, quietly
, looking the amazed mother and son in
. the face; "but l am not sorry for any
3 occurrence that has had the effect oI
3 opening my eyes to the true character ol
( Mr.. Florian Richley. l will take the
ten dollars, sir, to my sick friend, as you
E! will find it entirely Unnecessary to 60 to
! tho expense Of taking Miss Laura Avery
, to the opera tonight"
Florian's handsome cheek had grown
y pale-his knees quivered beneath him Al
g he mechanically took the bill from his
pocket book and placed it in the hand o.
| the imperative beauty. while Mrs. Rich
ley sank back aghast into the cushioned
easy-chair.
| Florian made one desperate attempt to
. retrieve his lost fortune, even in the me-
ment Of sore defeat and discontinue.
! "I am very sorry-awkward mistake
> hope you will afford mo an explana
. tion," he stammered.
e "I require no explanation, SIR" wal
! Laura's cold reply as she withdrew from
the apartment, naughty and unapproach
able ~ . statue of ice."
She hurried homeward through tb,
f twilight streets, with burning cheek AM
I a beating heart, and it was nearly darl
, when once more she entered Miss Way
!. nails room lighted only by the faint GLOW
of the low fire.
, "Back so soon, Laura r. asked Ellen
somewhat surprised.
"Here is the money. Nelly, and tn
wine,' she said, thankful for the diu
= light could not betray her tell-tale fsa
!, lures. "And now you must get we'll .
fast as you can"
"Oh, Laura, I am 50 much obliged t.
). you," said Ellen, earnestly.
Laura stopped to kiss her friends pal
cheek, inwardly rejecting how much sh
had to thank for Ellen's indisposition.
But she never told Ellen of the discov
j., cry she had unwittingly made, while fal
y filing the gentle mission Of friendship
and no ono even know the precise manne
in which the contemplated match betwee
Florian Richley and Laura Avery wa
" broken off.
> There are some things that bring thei
own reward in this world-and the on