The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1866-04-21

tains of issst ia embroidered flowers, and
overhung wiS ssify hce-wogk Lamps Of
silver, end Qvs1nsQnA ornaments from many
lands .an inyi1fpls and perfnmed warmth in
the summer ss1sct q tie place !; cansry IN
. cage Of gold Nd turquoise, slipping water
from little crystA fount, and feeding from
9 box Of topax Z held my breath in q
dreamlike pause Of thought Had I been
suddenly transplanted 20 enchanted ground 7
AT the upper end of this lofty, airy cham
ber stood afbed that seemed the sumptuous
counterfeit ofa regal couch. Carved, smiling
cherubs wreath and playful, stretched forth
inviting hands; frp1 gilded crown above
dropped cIoudliks folds Of lace, that were
looped back and foafooned with stars Of sill
yer. The eoTwlat pf pale pink silk above
relieved the. snowy, dazzling whiteuess Of
that bed, in which asa sheltered bird, there
nestled small aliEht, fragile girl, whose
age it was inzpeeeIble TO tell. For the face
was white and - nrked BY the finger lines
Of tihc-or cafe, Che INK hair was abuNdant
and lay in curls around her wan and wasted
face, that wore peculiarly youthful look.
And ye. there was lock Of experience, of
Teariness, Of pain and longing in the sad,
full, grey eye. Now and then, the brow
would contract ~ by q spasm Of pain, swift
end passing. The restless hands would
grope about in search Of something, then lie
passively folded for a while There was no
hectic on her cheek its paleness was un-
varied; yet her lip wore its healthy red
felt her hand il was burning, but her brow
was cool no moisture starting to the sur
ia hn at . nav
glance of one who asks soul questions. She
seemed satisfied with the scrutiny, for she
nodded to her mother, and said to me
Your name2"
"Grace yernor," replied with a start /;
for her voice had strangely thrilled me it
was so profoundly sad, so musicslly clear !;
it was q revelation of itself.
| learned then that she was i'll Of spinal
complaint pronounced lncurable. That from
her twelfth year she had become an invalid,
gro wing worse each year until she was con-
fined to room and bed, where she had spent
the last two years, and she was now twenty
noticed that the mother sought to avoid
meeting the questioning eye Of the stricken
girl that Ada fixed upon her repeatedly
those soul-Searching glances that when we
had arranged concerning the terms, ard Mrs.
Mailhere had offered me three dollars per
week, she said firmly make it five, mother !;
surely 7 have money enough"
Mrs. Mailliere colored slightly, and said
submissively "As you will, dear" And
my heart throShed with vague hope, that
at last fortune in her mantle caprices,
deigned to smile on me again.
| returned to my cherries room, packed
up my few possessions, and that night re-
turned to the mansion As | sat leisurely
enjoying my tea in that fairy room, pouring
out the fragrant stream from silver teapot
into the delicate white cup starred with for
get-me- nots As | tasted luxuries long un-
known as eaned back in the cushioned
chair and surveyed the beauties that sur
rounded me, terrs of gratitude welled up to
my eyes, and said. "Thank Sod u
"Yes, for al thingsi'' said q sweetly
solemn voice, and ! started at the sound
"Tell me about yourself; win tell you Of
my life never could to the other girls, you
are different"
Ny room sdjoined hers; but that night
retired late, for | told the story Of my past
life to an appreciative heart / felt tha,
amid the wilderness Of the city, had found
an oasis of rest.
Ada did not call me in the night and
dreamed Of my father, radiant and happy !;
Of my mother blessing me; Of my tropic
home
fro N coETnUKnl