The Vermont transcript. [volume] (St. Albans, Vt.) 1864-1870, 1866-03-30
Behind the Scenes.

1t was scarcely room in which
Laura Avery was sitting-rother a
magnificent bay window with drape-
ries of embroidered lace.
poor Ellen" she murmured, chow
different our lots are in this world
Her parents dead-their wealth ire
trievably lost, and she too proud to ac-
cept cent that she has not laborious-
ly earned. Oh, dearl" and Laura
sighed again and again, just as the
clocks liquid voice chimed the half
hour.
"She doesn't come, soliloquized the
puzzled little damsel "Iheres some
thing the matter. Perhaps she's sick
--oh dear, she must be sick I'll send
James to inquire-no, Ill go myself"
Before the words were out of her
mouth she was up i'll her own room
adjusting soft gray shawl over her
black silk dress, and tying the strings
of a quiet little brown velvet bonnet,
whose own crimson rose among its
trimmings of enameled snoss was not
unlike the bloom of her own check.
81 don't think it is going to snow"
she pondered, looking out at the grey
threatening sky as she drew on her
prettily fitting gloves. Eat any rate,
l shall walk very fast.
AS she came through the softly car
peted yestibule, servant approached
her.
"A note, Miss Laura. 1t came five
minutes ago"
All the rose was several shades in
the back ground 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 simple one after all:
My DEAR Miss AVERY May promise
myself the pleasure of accompanying
you to the opera tonight? Unless |
receive a message to forbid me, i will
call for you at half past seven. Your
most devoted slave and subject,
FLoRnN RIoHLEY.
Laura instinctively 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 radi-
ant glow of colour de rose.
Meantime, the grey light of October
was fading away from dreary room
on the third story of house situated
on one of those streets where decent
responsibility strives, hand to hand,
with the grim assailant want.
Singularly out of keeping with the
shabby and poverty stricken aspect of
the apartment was newly finished
dress of lustrous purple silk, bright as
the dyes of Tyre, that lay folded on
the table beside the window in such q
manner that you could see the costly
trinming-a wide border of purple
velvet, edged en- either side with a fut-
tering of white point lace. For poor
Ellen Waynall was nothing more i'm
portant than hardworking and poor
ly paid dressmaker.
She lay on little white bed in the
corner, with her flushed cheek pressed
against the pillow, and her slender
figure partially covered by coarse
plaided scarlet shawl, while the invol-
untary contraction of her forehead
bore witness to the pain she was meek
ly suffering.
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 panels OF
the door.
Come in" said Ellen, hurriedly
dashing away the tears. "Laura, is
it possible that this is you, dear p
"Yes, it is me and none other. Nell,
l could not imagine why you did not
come and fit that dress as you appoint
ed; but l know the reason now. Mel
ly, you are sick. Why did you not
send for me?"
Ellen tried to smile family.
Il am not very sick, Laura; at least
/ have not suffered much pain until to-
night, and the doctor says that if on
ly had little wine-no, Laura, dc
not draw your purse" she added with
a slight perceptible sparkle IN hen
eyes. Il am not quite so low yet as tc
accept charity. Don't look SO hurt
and grieved, dearest You know how
sensitive l cannot help being on SOME
points. 1t is only for little while
When l am well enough TO take thai
dress home, and receive the money
for it, l shall then be enabled to pur'
chase whatever may require"
Laura knelt down at her friend
bedside, with soft pleading eyes.
Dear Ellen, you will not refuse Il
accept temporary loan from me p
Ellen shook her head with grave
smile.
81 can wait, Laura.
Laura looked from the dress to Ell
len with face panied with perplexity
Suddenly bright inspiration seemed
to strike her.
"Let me take the dress home, El
len I" she exclaimed. "The walk j
lust what ] need, and | can stop a
Dubonr's on the way back and orde
the wine for you. You will never b
strong unless you cosset yourself up
little. You will let me, Nell?'
Ellen hesitated a moment
0Rnt Laura"