Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1866-11-22
QD6lo tS5tates3ril(1lalr:1|',,. N / T..
BEMINDn THE SCENES /.

'Four o'clock and no Ellen yet? What
can detain her sol? She is usually more |
than the clock ITSELF" n gou,
1t was scarcely room in which LaHra
Avery was sitting-rather a magnificent
bay window, with draperies OF embroider-
ed lace. A'h7 9Hl .l rloilLAlluJ ~.
"Poor Ellen,n she murmured, Show diff
terently our lots have been ordered In TINS
world? Her parents dead-their wealth
irretrievably lost, and she too proud TO ac-
cept cent that she has not laboriously
earned. ri On, derp' and Laura sighed again,
just as the clocks liquid voice chimed the
half hour.
'She doesn't comew she murmnred.
There's something the. matter. Perhaps
she's sck--Oh, dear! she must be siek.l L ii
send James to inquire--noS Pll 90 my.
self.p 4ys sr.r... mas ...,,,rs .dT ...,
Before the words were out of her lips
she was up in her room adjusting soft
grey shawl over her black silk dress, and
tying the string of u quiet little brown
velvet bonnet, whose one crimson rose
among its trimmings of enameled moss
was not unlike the bloom OF her own
cheek. .a1., -.d'
81 don't think it is going to snow," she
pondered, looking at the grey threatening
sky, as she drew on her. perfectly, hitting
gloves. "At any rate, l shall walk very
fast" D.H .IJg '.u'. VOC 0' .r.
AS she came through the softly carpeted
vestibule, servant approached her.
"a note, Miss Laura; it came five min
utes ago" atl - 80
Ali 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 suppressed
smile dimpling the corners of her mouth
Yet the note was very simple one after
all: .-,r.... ....rt...' p. .,-,r,.. ....,,.
My DEAR Miss AVERY: May promise
myself the pleasure of accompanying you
to hear the new opera tonight? Unless
receive message to forbid me, l will call
for you at half-past seven. Your most de-
FLoRIAN RIcHLEY.
Laura instinctively Slipped the note into
her bosom, as if fearful lest the very pic
ture on the wall should catch 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 cOuleaT de rose. Meanwhile 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 de-
cent respectability strives hand to hand
WIN Jne grim aSSallanC want. ~. .
Singularly out of keeping with the shah
by and poverty stricken aspect of the
apartment, was newly finished dress of
| Tyre, that lay folded on the table beside
| the window in such a manner that you
could see the costly trimming-a wide bor-
der of purple velvet, edged on the other
side with fluting of white point lace. For
! poor Ellen Waynall was nothing more i'm
portant than hard working and poorly
| paid dressmaker. . Er. '.# q
| She lay on the little white bed in the
corner, with her flushed face pressed close
| against the pillow, and her slender figure
| partially covered by coarse plaided scar
| let shawl, while the Involuntary contraction
of her forehead bore witness to the pain she
was meekly suffering. a' 5HG, ~ ~ -tf-
AS one or two silent tears escaped from
| her. closed eyelids, and crept softly down
| her cheek a light step sounded on the
landing outside, and q 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?"
! ayes, it is myself and none other, Nell.
could not imagine why you did not come
and fit that dress as you appointed; but
know the reason now. Nelly, you are
sick. Why did you not send for me?"
| Ellen tried to smile family.
| III am not very sick, Laura; at least
have not suffered much pain until to-
| night, and the doctor says that If [ had
| only little wine-no, Laura, do not draw
your purse" she added, with Slight, per-
ceptible sparkle in her eyes, and proud
quiver on lips; 81 am not quite so low
yet as to accept charity. Don't look so hurt
and grieved, dearest. You know how sem
siJive 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 iG, ! shall then be
enabled to purchase whatever may re-
| qpire." s .,
| Laura Avery knelt down at her friends
bedside with soft, pleading eyes.
"Dear Ellen, you will not refuse to ac-
| cept temporary loan from me ?''
| Ellen shook her head with very grave
smile. ..
| 81 can wait, Laura"
| Laura looked from the dress to Ellen,
with face painted withIperplexity. Sud-
denly bright inspiration seemed to strike
her. -',1 r'' r'il r-t.7a 1HeH
"Let me take the dress home, Ellen,"
! she exclaimed. "The walk will be lust
what need, and can stop at Dubour's ON
the way back and order the wine for you.
You will never be strong unless you cosset
yourself. up little. You will let me,
Ellen hesitated moment. s.. .I .
| "But Laura -----' .ii.r,..... al
Nell," laughed Laura, gleefully, beginning
| to fold the rich dress into little basket
that stood besideit. -,..,.,.. ..... ~,
| "Where is it to go?" os.- Ii.',i y.
"To Mrs. Richley's, in River street,
| Why, Laura, what is the matter ~ ..-.
! Nothing, only am folding this dress
wrong" returned Laura, ih a low voice
1t was well that Ellen did not see the scarlet
! blush that rose to her friends lovely cheek
as she stood with her back to the bed,
smoothing the lustrous breadths of purple
silk. Mrs. Richley'sl Laura was almost
sorry that she had volunteered to go, but ii
was too late to retract her offer now. q = Y
| "What selfish little creature am," she
mused, N"Poor Nelly needs the money SO
much, and can not go for it herself, and il
isn't at all likely that shall see Florian
Twill go-there IAN end of it," lA .'n '''
"Thank you, dear Laura, it is so kind OF
| you," said Ellen, fervently, as Miss Avery
came to the bedside with the basket on her
arm, and black veil drawn closely over the
brown velvet bonnet. "She owes me three
dollars on this dress, and there are seven
/ dollars on the old account she has never
paid me" 30 .'.'fa ~ ~ s,lAF -dp1l .
"Ten dollarsl I'll collect it, never fear
said Laura, gally, as she disappeared, while
to poor Ellen it seemed as if the sunshine
1 all died out with the presence Of her beau
| tiiul friend. ,... t'N' w
| It was nearly dusk when Miss Avery.
| summonipg up all her resolution, assembled
| the brown stone steps of the Richley man