The Potter journal. [volume] (Coudersport, Pa.) 1857-1872, 1866-09-04
Ellen hesitated a moment.

to fold the rich dress into HLLIe DasheC
that stood on the table beside It.
"Where is it to go!'
aTo Mrs. Richley's, in Rivers street.
Why Laura, what is the matters"
"Nothing, only I am folding this dress
wrong" returned Laura, in low voice.
1t was we'll that Ellen did not see the scar
let 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's. Laura was
almost sorry that she had volunteered to
90. but it was too late to retract her offer
now.
"What a selfish little creature l am"
she mused.
poor Nelly needs the money so much,
and cannot 60 for it herself and it isn't at
all likely that l shall see Florisn. | will
go-there is an end of il"
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 for this dress, and there are
seven dollars on the old account that she
has never paid me-
"Ten dollars! I'll collect it, never fear" F"
said Laura gaily, as she disappeared, while
| to poor Ellen it seemed as if the sunshine
all died out with the presence Of her beau
ttul friend -
l. was nearly dusk when Miss Avery,
sammoning up all her resolution, ascended
the brown stone steps Of the RiehIey man
sion and rang the bell
rs Mrs Bichley at home y
"What is your business with Mrs. Rich
( ley z" asked the servant, suspiciously scru-
tinizing the little basket that she carried.
Laura bit her lips. This manner from
servants was an entirely new experience to
her, yet how often must poor Ellen have
endured it.
Il have called to bring home dress that
was finished for her." she said, in tone of
quiet dignity.
"O-ah-yes; well, I 'spose yOn d best
walk in"
The servant conducted her up stairs to
sort of sitting g-room or boudoir, where
Mrs. Richley, Portly dame Of about fifty,
gorgeously dressed in a crimson silk, was
sitting in her easy chair in front of g low
iug coal fire Laura was inwardly CRATE
fal that the gas had not been lighted, par
tcularly when she observed that Mr.. Flo
rian Richiey was lounging on a velvet sofa
in one of the window recesses. Mrs. Rich
ley looked up as the servant ushered in the
. new conner.
"Well, young ngwoman,what You want r
Lauras cheek tinged at the toneofeoarse
insolence in which she was addressed, but
she commanded herself to reply meekly:
Il have brought home your dress, Mrs.
RichIey."
"Where is Miss Waynan9"
"She is ILL.,"
Very well; lay down the dress; it is
all right" ~
But Laura stood her ground valiantIy.
Miss WaynalI would like the money
to-night-seyen dollars on the old account
and three for the dress"
1T is not convenient tonight"
"But, Mrs. Richey, Miss Waynall is i'll
and needs the money" persisted Laura
There, FIorian," said Mrs. Richley, pet
uIantly, addressing the young man in the
Turkish dressing gown and elsborately ar
ranged hair Il told you just how it would
be-" -a
"What the deuce is the matter now 7"
snappishIy asked Florian, for the first time
condescending to evince any interest in
what was going on.
"Why, these impertinent dress-making
people are always clamoring for money,
just when You have drained me of my last
cent"
Let 'em clamor, then, that's my advice"
said FIorian, without taking the trouble to
move his head.
Gust give me back that ten dollar-bill,
Fiorian," urged his mother; ~You can't
want ii tonight"
But I do want it, it happens" said
Floran coolly.
You are agoing to fritter it away in
some of those gambling houses, or to drink
yourself stupid again" fretted Mrs. Richley.
at Is too bad, getting my money away
from me just to indulge in those horrid
habits. Why don't You cam money for
yourseif?"
Easy, ma, easy" said tie dutiful son,
lazily dragging himself to a sitting posture.
Don't lose your temper, for it isn't worth
while. This ten dollar bill is going to help
make my fortune. 1t shall take the lovely
Laura to the opera tonight"
Nonsense; this fine scheme will flash in
the pan just ike all the rest of your castles
in the air. She won't have YOU" ~
ooh yes she will, my incredulous mann
ma, wait and see. l shall bring her to the
point pretty soon. Then I'll pay YOU back