The Portland daily press., 1865-04-28
Friday Morning, April 2S 1866.
Behind the Scenes.

window with draperes of embroidered lace.
Poor Ellen she murmured, how different
our lots have been ordered in this world. Her
parents dead-their wealth irretrievaby lost
aud she too proud to accept cent that she
has not iabofiously earned. Oh, dear I" and
Laura sighed again, just as the clocks liquid
voice chimed the half hour, rs @.st'
"She doesn't come, ? soliliquized the puzzled
It'll damsel. "There's something the matter.
Perhaps she is sick-oh, dear, she must be sick
ia send James to inQuire-no, III 60 myself
Before the words were out of her lips she
was up in her own room adjusting soft grey
shawl over her black silk dress, and tying the
strings of quiet little brown velvet bonnet,
whose own crimson rose among its trimmings
OF enameled moss was not unlike the bloom OF
her own cheek.
Il don't thinkit is going to snow, she pom :
dered, looking out at the grey threatening sky,
as she drew on her perfectly-fitting gloves
"At any rate, shall walk very last" ffg y
As she came through the softly-carpeted
vestibule servant approached her.
"a mote, Miss Laura. u came five min
AhY The rose was several shades in the
back ground now, as she broke the scented
seal, aud glanced over the delicate, cream-col-
ored sheet, with bright, half-suppressed
smile dimpling the corners of her mouth.
Yet the note was very simple one after
all.
'MY DEAR MISS AVERY: May Ipromisemyselfthe
peasnreSf accompans ing ou to hear the new opel
viii cell for you at hait-patts ven.
four NEST devoted slave and subject.
FLoRIAN RICHLY"
Laura instinctively slipped the note into
her bosom, as II 1eariul lest the very picture
on the wall should catch a sight OF the ele-
CANT chirography, and pursued her way down
fhA uIonnavs slraat with avao hat fhn
musky atmospheric through the radiant glow
ofcouleur de rose.
Meantime, the grey light October was fading
away from dreary room on The third story
of house situated on one OF those streets
where decent respectabiiity strives, hand to
hand, with the grim assailant want. sag +
Singular.y out Of keeping with the shabby
and poverty stricken aspect of tie apartment
was newly I'm shed dress Of lustrous purple
SILK, bright as the dyes of Tyre, that lay fold
ed on the table beside the window in such a
manner that you could see the costly trim
miDg--a wide border of purple velvet, edged
on either side with futing of white point
lace. For poor q len Waynall was nothing
more important than a hard working and
poorly paid dressmaker.
She lay on the little white bed 10 the cor
ner, with her flushed cheek pressed close
against the pillow, and her slender figure paI=
tally covered by coarse plaided scarlet
shawl, while the occasional involuntary CON
traction of her forehead bore witness to the
pain she was meekly suffering. k..s
As one or two quiet tears escaped from her
closed eyelids, and crept softly down her
cheek, light step sounded on the landing
outside, and knock came gently to the pan
els of the door. ,NJnl3 e31aA
Come in said Ellen, hurriedly dashina
away the tears. "Laura, is it possible tina
this is you, dear?"
"Yes, it is myself and none other. Nell,
could not imagine why you did not come anf
fit that dress. as you had appointed; but
know the reason now. Nelly, you are sick
Why did you not send for me p e AI
Ellen tried to smile, family.
Il am not very sick, Laura; at least, l have
not suffered much pain until tonight. and the
doctor says that If / only had a little wine-nc
Laura, do not draw your purse" she added
with slightly perceptible sparkle in her eyes
and proud culver on her lips. II am not
quite so low yet as to accept charity. Don
look SO hurt and grieved, dearest. You know
how sensitive cannot help being On soms
points, II is only for a little while. When
am well enough to take that dress home, ant
receive the money for it, shall then be ena
bled to purchase whatever l may require"
Laura Avery kneltdown at her friends bed
side with soft, pleading eyes.
f.Dear Ellen, you will not refuse to accept Q
temporary loan from me?"
Ellen shook her head with grave smile.
81 can wait, Laura. 49,
Laura looked from the dress to Ellen with
face of panied perplexity. Suddenly bright
inspiration seemed to strike her.
sLet me take the dress home, Elenp sh
exclaimed "The walk will be Just what
need. and can stop at Dubour's on the wa,
back and order the wine for you. You vii
never be strong unless you cosset yourself vi
little. You will let me, Nell?' y-s,
Ellen hesitated moment. q
"But, Laura" ~
ssNo bus in the matter, if you please, Nell,
laughed Laura gleetully, beginning to fol
thcIIch dress into the little basket that stoo
upon the table beside it. Where is it /
goW w,
Laura, what is the matter 7"
Nothing, only am folding this dres
wrong" returned Laura, in a low voice.
was well that Ellen did not see the scarle
blush that rose TO her friends lovely cheek, q
she stood with her back to the bed, smoothin
the lustrous breadths OF purple silk. Mr.
Reheys! Laura was almost sorry that sh
had volunteered to go, but it was too late t
retract her offer now. br@
"What selfish little creature l am" sh
a mused. Poor Nelly needs the money s
x
at all likely that snail see Florian. will s
there is an end of it" st sae .re8s zHf
"Thank you, dear Laura, 1t is so kind {
Won" said Ellen fervently, as Miss Avery cam
To the bedside with the basket on her arm, an
a blue veil drawn closely over the brown vel
vet bonnet. ''She owes me three dollars fo
fhis dress. and there are sevel dollars on tn
bId account that she has never yet paid me.
aTen dollars! I'll collect it, never fear,
said Laura galy. as she disappeared, while |
moor Ellen iE seemed as il the sunshine all die
ont with the bright presence OF her beautifu
friend. 1t was nearly dusk when MISS aver
snmnouin0 M all her resolution, ascende
the brown stone steps Of the Rlchley mansio
and rang the bell
sis Mrs. RchIey at home? p
eWhat's your business with Mrs hichIey
asked the servant, suspiciously scruunizll
the sittle basket that she carried. Laura .
her lips, This manner from servants was e
tirely neW experience to her, yet now olts
must poor Ellen have endured 1t.
81 have called to bring home dress ina
was finished for her." she said in tone
quiet dignity.
"Oh-ah-yes, well, I s'pose you'd best wa
in" ~ II
The servant conducted her up stairs to
sort of sitting-room, or boudOir, where MI
Richley, a portly dame of about fifty. gorge
ouslv dressed in crimson silk, was sitting
her easy chair in front of glowing coal nr
Laura was inwardly grateful that the gas b;
not been lighted, particularly when she obser
"a that Mr.. Florian Riehley was loungiDg {
a.velyet sofa in one Of the window reeesst
Mrs. Richley looked up as the servant ushe
ed in the new conner
9WeIl, young woman what do you wantP.
Laura's cheek tinged at the tone OF coars