American citizen. [volume] (Butler, Butler County, Pa.) 1863-1872, 1866-11-14
VOLUME 3.
Behind the Scenes.

Avery was sitting-rather magnificent
bay window with draperies of embroidered
lace.
"Poor Ellen, she murmered, how
different our lots have been ordered in
this world--her parents dead, and their
wealth irretrievably lost and she too
pond to accept cent that she has
not laboriously earned. Oh, dear p aud
Laura sighed again just as the clock S
liquid voice chimed the half hour.
"She don't come, soliloquized the per
picked little damscl, there's something
the matter Perhaps she's sick-oh yes,
she must be sick. I'll send James to
enquire-no, III go myself"
Before the sentence was out Of her lips
she vas up in her own room adjusting a
soft gray shawl yer her black silk dress,
aud tying the strings of quite little
brown velvet bonnet, whose one crimson
rose among its trimmings of emerald moss
was not unlike the bloom of her own
check.
IL don't think it's going to snow, she
pondered, looking ont at the gray threat.
cuing sky, as she drew on her perfectly
fitting gloves. At any rate | shall walk
very fast"
As-she came through the softly car
peteds ycstibule servant approached her.
'sA note, Miss Laura. 1t came fso
minutes ago"
ssAhl the rose was several shadesin the
back ground now, as Laura Avery broke
open the scented seal, and glanced over
tts.deIicate, cream-c -col5-cd sheet, with a
bright, hslfsuppresscd smile dimpling
the corners Of her mouth. Yet the note
was very simple one, after all.
my dear Miss Avery:-May l prom
Use myself the pleasure Of accompanying
you to hear the new opera to.nigh? I'm
less | receive a message to forbid me, |
will call for you ut haltpast seven.
Your most devoted slave & subject.
"FLoRIAN RCnLEY."
Laura instantly slipped the note into
her boso IL, as if fearful lest the very pic.
lures on the wall should catch sight Of
the elegant chiragraphy, and pursued her
w y down the gloomy street, with eyes
that saw the marky atmosphere thr ough
n radiant glow Of cohW lie rose.
Meantime the gray October twilight
was fuling away from drcary room on
the third story Of house situa cd on one
of those side streets where decent respect.
ability striycs, hand to hand, with the
gri@ assailant, want.
Strangely out af keeping with shabby
aud poverty striken aspect Of the apart
mont was newly finished dress Of lus-
trous purple silk, bright as the dyes of
Tyre, that lay iolle! on the table beside
the window in such a manner Chat you
could see the costly trimmiug-a wide
border of purple velvet, edged on either
side with fiuting of wEitc point lace
For poor Ellen Waypall was nothing
more important than hard working and
poorly paid dress maker.
She lay on the little white bed in the
corner, with her flushed cheek pressed
against the pillow, und her slender figure
partially concealed by a. coa. Sc plaided
scarlet shawl, while the occasional invol-
,untary contraction of her forehead bore
to the pain she was mcekly suffering.
As one or two quiet tears escaped from
her closed eyelids and ercpt softly down
her check, light step sounded on the
landing outside, and knock came gently
to the pannols Of the door.
"Come in" sa d Ellen, hurriedly dash
ing away the tears. Laura, is it possi-
.ble that this is you, dear?"
Eyes, it is myself. and none other, Nell
/ could not imagine why you did not
come and lit that dress, as you had ap-
[poibtod; 1at know the reason now
Nelly you are sick. Why did you not
send for me?" FF-re
Nelly tried to smile family.
a'Pm not very sick, Laura; at least l
have not suffered much pain until to-.
might, and the doctor says if only had
a little wine-no, Laura, do not draw
your purse, she adds, with slightly
perceptible sparkle in her eyes, and a
proud quiver on her lips. / am notquite
80 low as to accept charity. bon't look
jso hurt and grieved, dearest You know
how sensitive ] cannot help being on
some points. 1t is only for little while.
when am we'll enough to take that
dress home and receive the money for it,
I shall be enabled to purchase whatever
a may require"
Laura Avery kuelt down at her friends
bedside, with soft, pleading eyes.
x'Dear Ellen, you surely will not refuse
~ .aa,..+ a to,,,norarv loan from me-