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


fer now.
"What a selfish little creature / am"
she unused. Poor Nelly needs the
money so much, and cannot go for it
herself, and it isn't at all likely that /
shall see Florian. will go-there is
an end of it"
"Thank you, dear Laura, it is SO
kind of you, said Ellen feryently, as
Miss Avery came to the bedside with
the basket on her arm, and black
veil drawn closely over the brown vel
vet bonnet. "She owes me three dol
lars for this dress, aud there are seven
dollars on the old a, count that she
has never yet paid me.
Ten dollars I'll collect it, never
fear" said Laura gaily, as she disap-
peared, while to poor Ellen it seemed
as if the sunshine all died out with
the bright presence of her beautiful
friend. 1t was nearly dusk when Miss
Avery, summoning all her resolution,
assembled the brown stone steps of the
Richley mansion, and rang the bell.
us Mrs. Richley at home p
What's your business with Mrs.
Richley p asked the servant, suspi-
ciously scrutinizing the little basket
that she carried Laura bit her lips.
This manner from servants was an en-
tirely new experience with her, yet
how often must poor Ellen have en-
dured it.
81 have called to bring home a dress
that was finished for her," she said in
a tone Of quiet dignity.
"Oh-ah-ah--yes, well, l s'pose
you'd best walk in
The servant conducted her up stairs
to sort of sitting room or boudoir,
where Mrs. Richley, portly dame Of
about fifty, gorgeously attired in Grim
son silk, was sitting in her easy chair
in front of glowing coal fire. Laura
was inwardly grateful that the gas had
not beon lighted, particularly when
she observed that Mr.. Florian Richley
was lounging on velvet sofa III one
of the window recesses. Mrs. Richley
looked up as the servant ushered in
the new conner.
"Well, young woman, what do you
want ?"
Lauras cheeks tinged at the tone
of coarse insolence 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 very i'll ?"
every well, lay down the dress; it is
all right"
But Laura stood her ground val
iantly.
Miss Waynall would like the mon
ely tonight, madam-seven dollars on
the old account and three for the
dress"
1T is not convenient tonight"
But, Mrs. Richley, Miss Waynall is
sick and needs the money" persisted
Laura.
There, Florian," said Mrs. Richley
petulantly, addressing the young man
in the Turkish dressing-gown and
deliberately arranged hair, 81 told you
"What the deuce is the matter
now?" snappishly asked Florian, for
the first time condescending to eyince
any interest in what was going on.
"Why these impairment dress-mak-
ing people are always clamoring for
money, just when you have drained
mo of my last cent"
Let EN- clamor, then, that's my adj
vice, said Florian, without taking the
trouble to move his head.
Just give me back that ten dollar
bill, Florian," urged his mother: "You
cannot want it tonight
"But l do want it, it happens" said
Florian, coolly.
you are just agoing TO flitter it
away in some of those gambling
places, to drink yourself stupid again,
fretted Mrs. Richley. "1t's too bad,
getting my money away from me just
to indulge in those horrid habits !
Why don't You earn money for your
self?"
Easy, mamma, easy" said the du-
tiful son, lazily dragging himself to a
sitting posture. Don't lose your tenn
per, for it isn't worth while. This ten
dollar bill is going to help make my
fortune. 1t shall take the lovely Lau-
IA to the opera tonight"
Nonsense; this fine scheme will
flash in the pan just like all the rest
of your castles Ill the air. She won't
have you.
"Oh, yes, she will, my incredulous
mamma, wait and see. | shall bring
her TO the point pretty soon. Then
III pay you back the money with IN
terest out of my lady's bag of Sinner S. .
"And will you leave off your drink
ing habits ? Oh, Florian, they will be
the ruin of you yet"
Perhaps, perhaps not, returned
the young man insolently. THAT will
be very much as please"
Both the mother and her hopeful
son had entirely forgotten the pres
ence of the young girl, who was stand
ing in the dusky shadows near the
door, until this moment, when Mrs
Richley, turning sharply round, saw
her.
"What are yon waiting for p she
asked irritably. Il have already tolo
you that it was not convenient to pay
the money to-night--why don't you