Weekly Calaveras chronicle., 1866-12-29

lighted; but did you ever see such
rudeness as she showed the Andersons?
Though they treat her with the con-
tempt she merits, they are not going to
put up with such petty annoyances
Either she must leave or they will"
"And l had come to that conclusion
myself nothing came up that she did
not root her nose to the bottom of it,
as Burnet wisely remarked"
She did not pay her usual visit to US
in our sitting-room that evening. Mir
lam said she was doubtless planning a
method of revenge on poor Miss Wells.
81 fancy she'll leave Miss Wells to
herself after this, for she is certainly no
match for her, l replied But was
mistaken, as the sequel will show.
| Mills, the young lawyer before re-
ferred to, had become quite favorite
in the house, particularly with the la
dies, and l had several times fancied
that he showed partiality for the soci-
ETY. of Miss Wells If she was sewing,
he would seat himself by her side and
busy himself with making Seats era.
dles' of her thread. If reading, he
would beg of her to read aloud, plead
ing that he had nervous affection of
the eyes which prevented him from
using them by gas-light; yet I noticed
that they showed no signs of weakness,
though he would sit for hours studying
her changing countenance while she
read, in those clear, deep tones that l
have never heard equaled, to crowd of
eager listeners, myself and Miriam al
ways included.
1t was in vain that Mrs. Marabeau
got up her little "sociables," in hopes
of drawing the young lawyer into her
daughters society. If she proposed
whist, he was ''poor player" euchre !!
hea'detested it." Mrs. Marabeau would
moi extend her invitation to Miss Wells,
and Mills would not go without, that
was evident.
At dinner on the following day Mr.
Mills was absent. During the meal
Mr.. Burnet who sat beside Miss Wells,
drew note from his pocket and laid it
on her plate. She read it, colored slight
ly, and, writing sentence on the back
of the envelope, handed it back to him.
All this did not pass unobserved by
Mrs. Marabeau.
About half an hour after dinner she
came rushing into my room, her face
all aglow with excitement:
"Miss Wells has gone out with Mr..
Burret !" she exclaimed.
swell, and what of it ?" asked Miri.
am, expressing no surprise.
"Isn't Mr.. Burnet married man,
and isn't Miss Wells lone woman, one
who should avoid the very appearance
of evil ?'
$50 far as I can see, she has," replied
Miriam.
81 think her conduct shocking and
you to uphold her; but l can see it's
all policy with you"
81 call it charity, Mrs. Marabeau.
Il never had much of an opinion of her
and after this l shall keep Emma from
her influence though l must say
| think it your duty to set her trunks
on the sidewalk, and let her find lodg-
ings in haunts where such women usu-
ally live"
"Mrs. IIarabeau," said Miriam, warm
ly, 81 am sorry to find you such foe
to your sex. For my part, l have hope
and faith to believe thatsDliss Wells is
justifable, even in the strictest sense of
propriety, for what she has done, and L
have charity for ALL
"She has gone to the theatre" snap
ped Mrs Marabeau 1 guess after this
Mr.. Mills will see her in her true light
~ presume they have gone to see
that play of Boucicault's I heard Mr.
Mills describing last evening. He thinks
it very fne,' said Miriam.
"She'll see a difference in my treat
ment of her if she remains in the house,
was Mrs Marabeau' threatening rejoin-
der as she ,rned to leave US.
Next morning Miss Wells was in the
dining-room looking over the morning
paper when we entered.
"Do you know" she said, 81 had such
treat last night. Mr.. Mills had asked
me to 60 and see Boucicault's new piece
but his uncle in Brooklyn had been TAX
en- dangerously i'll, and sent for him to
come and draw up will; so, as there
was no time to be lost, he transferred
me to Mr. Burnct, who was kind enough
to bore himself with my company to
play he had seen three times before "
Mrs. Marabeau came in, cold as an
icicle, saying good-morning to every
one separately but Miss Wells, who
seemed not to notice the omission, keep
ing up during breakfast conversation
with Mr.. Mills, who sat at her right.
After all had left the table but Mrs.
Marabeau, who, it seemed, purposely
fingered. she said, "Mr. Marabeau de-
sires me to ask if that woman is going
to be allowed to remain in the house
after last nights bold adventure p
Miriam was about to reply, but was
stopped by the appearance of Miss
Wells followed by Mr.. Burnet and Mills.
They had heard her in the hall.
"By that woman you doubtless mean
me, Mrs. Marabeau," said Miss Wells,
looking her steadily in the face. "lf
Mrs. Simmons wishes me to leave, l
have now to hear it from her own lips"
"I do not" cried Miriam. 81 have
always respected you, and never more
than at present"