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

Z w Hdb Ci4H uetalut ucT ScI Cne Is
tusually more punetual Tnan She clock
itself"
I 1t twas scareelysa room in which
laura Avery was sitting-rather O
magnificent bay window with dra-
/ fperies of embroidered lace.
Poor Ellen" she murmured,
(" how differently our lots have been
ordered in this world. Her parents
dead--their enthusiastically lost,
and she too proud to accept a cent
that she has not laboriously earned.
Oh dear, Laura sighed again, just as
the clocks liquid voice chimed the
Ihalf hour.
"She doesn't come, soliloquised
the puzzled little damsel. There's
something the matter. Perhaps she
is sick -oh dear, she must be sick.
III send James TO inquire-no I'll
60 myself"
Before the words were out of her
bps she was up in her own room ad-
justing soft grey shawl over her
black silk dress, and tying the
strings ef quiet little brown velvet
bonnet, whose own crimson rsse
among its trimmings of enameled
moss not unlike the bloom Of her
own cheek.
81 don't think it is going to snow"
she pondered, looking out at the
grey, threatening sky, as she drew
on her perfectly fitting gloves. "At
any rate. shall walk very fast"
AS she came through the softly
carpeted vestabule servant ap-
prosched her.
"a uote, Miss Laura, it came five
minutes ago"
All The rose was several shades
in the back ground, as she broke the
scented seal, and glanced over the
delicate cream. celored sheet, with a
bright suppressed smile dimpling the
corners of her mouth Yet the note
was very simple one after all:
My DEAR Miss AVERY: May /
promise myself the pleasure of ac-
companying you to hear the new
opera to night? Unless l receive a
message to forbid me, l will call for
you at half past seven. Your most
devoted slave and subject
FLoRAIN RICHLEY.
Laura instantly slipped the note
into her bosom, as If fearful lest the
very picture on the wall should catch
a sight of the elegant chirography,
and pursued her way down the
gloomy street, with eyes that saw
the murky atmosphere through the
radiant glow of eoVlear de rose
Meantime the gray light of October
was fading away from the dreary
room on the third story of house
situated on one OF those streets
where decent respectability strives
hand in hand with the grim assailant
want
Singularly out of keeping with the
shabby and poverty stricken apart
meRt, was q newly finished dress of
lustrous purple silk, bright as the
dyes of Tyre, that lay folded on the
table beside the window in such a
manner so that you could see the
costly trimming--a wide border Of
purple velvet, edged on either side
with a flutiRg of wide point lace
For poor Ellen Wayvell was nothing
more important than q hard-work
ing and poorly paid dress maker.
She lay on the little white bed IN
the corner, with her flushed face
pressing close against the pillow,
and her slender figure partially COW
cred by q coarse plaided 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 eyelids and crept
softly down her cheek a light step
sounded in the landing outside and
a knock came gently to the panels
of the deor.
"Come in" said Ellen, hurriedly
dashing away the tears. Laura is
it possible that this is you dearf'
"Yes myself and no other. Nell,
/ could not imagine why you did not
come and fit that dress as you ap-
pointed; but know the reason now.
Nellie you are sick. Why did you
not send for me?"
Ellen tried to smile family.
II am not very sick Laura; stlesst
/ have not suffered much pain until
tonight, and the doctor says that if
1 only had little wine-no, Laura, do
not draw your purse she added,
with a slightperceptible sparklein her
eyes and a proud quiver on her lips;
81 am net quite so low yet as to ac-
cept charity. Don't look so hurt and
grieyed dearest. You know how
sensitive cannot help being on some
points. 1t is only for little while.
When / am well enough to take that
dress home, and receive the money
for it, / shall then be able to pur-
chase whatever / may require"
/ Laura Avery knelt down by her
friends bedside with sSft pleading
eyes
'.Dear Ellen if you will only moi
refuse to accept temporary loan
| from me?"
Ellen shook her head with a grsy'
smila