Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1866-12-27

s'Let me take the dress home, FL
len?" she asked. "The walk Is jus
what / need, and / can stop at Du
bours on the way back and order tn.
wine fer you. You viii never b,
strong unlessyou closet vsurself I
little. You viii let me Nell?"
Ellen hesitsted q moment
"But Laura"-
"No butts in the matter, if You
please, Nell," laughed Laura glee.
fully, beginning to fold the rich
dress into a little basket that stood
on the table beside it.
sWhere is it to go?"
s'To Mrs. Richley's in Rivers street
Why, Laura, what is the mstter?"
Nothing, only I am folding this
dress wrong" returned Laura in {
low voice. 1t was well that Eller
did not see the scarlet blush thai
rose to her friends lovely cheek a:
she stood with her back to the bed
smoothing the lustrous breadths o.
purple silk, Mrs. Richley's. Laurs
was almsst sorry that she had velun.
teere1 to go, but it was too late to
retract her offer now"
"What a selfish little creature ]
am, she mused. poor Nelly needs
the money so very much, and cannot
go for it herself, and it isn't at all
like shall see Florian. l will 60
there is an end of it."
"Thank you dear Laura, it is so
kind Of yeu," said Ellen fervently, as
Miss Avery came to the bedside
with the basket on her arm, and black
veil drawn closely over the brewn
velvet bonnet. She owes NE three
dollars for this dress, and there are
seven dollars on the old account that
she never has paid me-"
''Ten dollars! I'll collect it, nev-
er fear," said Laura gaily as she.dis
appeared, while to poor Ellen it
seemed as if all the sunshine had
died out with the presence of her
beautiful friend.
1t was nearly dusk when Miss
Avery summoning up all her resolu
ton, ascended the brown stone steps
of the Richley mansion and rang
the bell.
as Mrs. Richley at homer
"What's your business with Mrs.
Richleyp" asked the servant, suspi-
ciously scrutinizing the basket that
she carried. Laura bit her lips
This manner from servants was an
entirely new experience to her, yet
how often must poor Ellen have en-
dured it.
Il have called to bring home a
dress that was finished for her." she
said in a tone of quiet dignity.
"Oh-ah-yes; well, / s'pose
you'd best wslk in"
The servant conducted her up
stairs to sort sf sitting room or
boudoir, where Mrs. Richley, a port
ly dame of about fifty, gorgeously
dressed in a crimson silk, was sitting
in her easy chair in front of glow
ing coal fire. Laura Was inUardly
grateful that the gas hal not been
lighted, particularly when she OBJ
served that Mr.. FloraiA Richley was
leungipg on a velvet sofa IN one of
the window recesses. Mrs. Richley
looked up as the servant ushered in
the new conner.
"Well, young woman what do you
want?'
Laura's cheek tinged at the tone of
coarse inselence in which she was
addressed but she commanded her
self to reply meekly:
81 have brought home your dress,
Mrs. Richley"
"Where is Miss Waynall?"
"She is ILL.,"
every well; lay down the dress it
is all right"
But Laura stood her ground val
liantly.
Miss Waynall would like the
to o-night, madame-seven dol
lars on the old account and three for
this dress"
at is not convenient TO- night"
"But, Mrs. Richley, Miss Waynall
is ill and needs the money, persisted
Laura.
"There Florian," said Mrs. Rich
ley petulently, addressing the young
man in the Turkish dressing gown
and elaborately arranged hair. 81
told you how it would be?"
''What the deuce is the matter
now?' snappishly asked Florisn, 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 drain
ed me of my last cent"
''Let 'em clamor, then, that's my
ADVICE" said Florian, without taking
the trouble to move his head.
"Just 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 cody.
"You are agoing to fritter it away
in some of those gambling houses,
to drink yourself stupid again." fret
ted Mrs. Richley. at is toe bad,
getting my meney away from me Just
to indulge in those horrible habits.
Why don't you earn money for your
self"
"Easy, ma, easy" said the dutiful
son, lazily dragging himself to a sit
ting posture.
"Don't lose your temper, for it
isn't worth while. This ten dollar
bill Is going to make my fortune; 1t
shall take my lovely Laura to the op-
era tonight"
"Nonsense this fine scheme will
flash in the pan just like all the rest
of your castles in the air. She won't