The Potter journal. [volume] (Coudersport, Pa.) 1857-1872, 1866-09-04
BEHIND THE SCENES.

punctua than the CLOCK lLselI.
1t was scarcely room IN which Laura
Avery was sitting-rather a magnificent
bay window with draperies of embroidered
lace.
"Poor Elem" she murmured, chow diff
ferentlv our lots have been ordered in this
world. Her parents deaI-their wealth
irretrievably lost, and she too proud to ac-
/ cept a cent she has not laboriously ly earned.
Oh, dear" and Laura sighed again just as
the clocks liquid voice chimed the half
hour.
"She doesn't come soliloquized the puz-
zled little damSel. There's something the
matter. Perhaps she Is sick-oh, dear,
she must be sick. III send James to en-
quire-no, III 60 myself"
Before the words were out of her lips
she was up in her own room adjusting a
soft g,ey shawl over her black silk dress,
and tying the strings Of her quiet little
brown velvet bonnet whose own crimson
rose among its trimmings of enameled moss
was no. unlike the bloom of her own cheek
Il don't think it is going to snow" she
pondered, looking out at the grey, threat
eniDg sky, as she drew on her perfectly
fitting gloves. AT any rate, l shall walk
very fast"
As she came through the softly carpeted
vestibuIe a servant approached her.
a note, Miss Laura, it came five min
utes ago
All. The rose was several shades in
the background now, as she broke the
scented seal, and glanced over the delicate,
|cream-colored sheet, with a bright, half
suppressed smile dimpling the corners Of
her mouth. Yet the note was a very sim
pie one after all.
, Ny DEAR Mss AVERY May I promise my
/ self the pleasure Of accompanying vou 10 hear
! the new opera tonight? Unless | receive a
message to forbid me l viii call for YOU at half
/ past seven. Your most devoted slave and sub
Ject, FLoEIAN RICELEY.
! Laura instinctiyely slipped the note into
her bosom, as if fearful lest the very pic
ture on the wall should catch glim pse of
the elegant chirograPhy, and pursued her
way down the gloomy street, with eyes
that saw the murky atmosphere through
! the radiant glow of co2aeur de rose Mean
! time the grey light of October was fading
away from the dreary room on the third
story Of a house situated on one Of those
streets where decent reSpcctabiIity strives
hand to hand, with the grim assaiIant
want.
/ Singularly out Of keeping with the shah
I by and poverty stricken aspect of the apart
ment was a newly finished dress Of Iustrous
purple silk, bright as the dyes Of Tyre, that
/ lay folded on the table beside the window
in such a manner that you could see the
costly trimming-a wide border of purple
velvet, edged on either side with futing
Of white point lace. For poor Ellen WAY
nall was nothing more important than a
hard-working and poorly paid dress maker.
She lay on the little white bed in the
corner, with her flushed face pressed close
against the pillow, aud her slender figure
/ partially covered by 3 coarse pIailed scar
/ let shawl, while the involuntary contraction
of her forehead bore witness to the pain
she was meekly suffering.
AS one or two silent tears escaped from
her closed eveiids, and crept softly down
her cheek, a light step sounded on the
landing outside and a knock came gently
to the panels of the door. "
Come in, said Ellen, hurriedly dashing
away the tears. Laura, Is it possible that
this is you, dear3"
"Yes, it is myself and none other. Nell.
[ could not imagine why vou did not come
and fit that dress as you appointed; but 1
know the reason now. Nelly, you are sick.
4 Why did YOU not send for me?"
/ Ellen tried to smile family.
Il am not very sick, Laura; at least, I
have not suffered much pain until tonight,
and the doctor says that if | only had a
little wine-no, Laura, do not draw your
purse" she added, with slight perceptible
sparkle in her eyes, and a proud culver on
her lips. a am not quite 50 low yet as to
accept charity. Don't look so hurt and
grieved, dearest. You know how sensitive
| cannot help being on some points. 1t is
only for little while When l am well
enough to take that dress home, and re-
ceiye the money for it, shall then be en-
abled to purchase whatever l may require" :"
Laura Avery kneIt down at her friends
bedside with soft, pleading eyes.
/ Dear Ellen, you will not refuse to ac-
. cept a temporary loan from me"
Ellen shook her head with grave smile.
Il can wait, Laura
/ Laura looked from the dress to Ellen
with face panied with perpIexity. Sud
denly bright inspiration seemed to strike
her.
Let me take the dress home, Ellen" !"
/ she exclaimed. "The walk will be just
what l need, and l can stop at Dubour's 5
on the way back and order the wine for