Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1867-04-05
lM iseellanN.
Behind the Scenes.


Four o'clock, and no Helen yet
What can detain her so She is usually
more punctual than the clock ITSELF"
1t was scarcely room in which Laura
Avery was sitting-rather q magnificent
bay window with draperies of embroider-
ed lace.
Z" Poor Ellen," she murmured, show
differently our lots have been ordered in
this world. Her parents are dead--their
wealth irretrievably lost, and she too
pround TO accept cent that she has not
laboriously earned. Oh, dearl" and
Laura sighed again, just as the clocks
liquid voice chimed the half hour.
"She doesn't come" soliloquizsl the
puzzled little damsel. There's something
the matter. Perhaps she's sick, oh, dear,
she must be sick. III send James to en-
quire-no, III go myself"
Before the words were out of her lips
she was up in her own room adjusting
soft gray shawl over her black silk dress,
and the strings of quiet little brown vel
vet bonnet, whose own crimson rose,
among its trimmings of enameled moss,
was not unlike the bloom of her own
cheek
II don't think it's going to snow," she
pondered. looking out at The grey threat
ening sky, as she drew on her perfectly
fitting gloves.
As she came through the softly carpet
ed vestibule servant approached her.
"A note. Miss Laura-it came FIVE min
utes ago"
"Ahl The rose was several shades
in the background now, she broke the
scented seal, and glanced over the deli
cate, cream colored sheet, with bright,
suppressed smile dimpling the corners of
mouth. Yet the note was a very sim
pie one after all
My DEAR Miss AVERY May
promise myself the pleasure of accompa-
nying you 10 hear the new opera tonight
Unless | receive message to forbid me,
will call for you at half pst seven
! Your most devoted slave and subject,
FLoRIAN RIcHLEY.
Laura instinctively slipped the note in
to her bosom, as if fearful lest the very
picture on the wall should catch sight of
the chirography, and pursued her way
down the gloomy street, with eyes that
saw the murky atmosphere through the
rndient GLOW of cnlenr de rose. Mean
time the grey light of Octoper was fading
away from a dreary room in the third
story of house situated on one of those
streets where decent respectabi ity strives
hand to hand with the grim assailant,
want.
Singularly out of keeping with the
shabby and poverty stricken aspect of the
apartment, was a newly finished dress of
lustrous purple silk, bright as the dyes of
Tyre. that lay folded on the table beside
the window, in such manner that you
could See the costly trimmng-a wide
border of purple velvet, edged on another
side with futing of white point lace.
For poor Ellen Waynall was nothing
more important than hard working and
poor paid dressmaker.
She lay on the lille white bed in the
corner, with her flushed face pressed close
against the pillow, and her slender figure
partially covered by a coarse plaided scar
let shawl, while the involuntary contraction
of her forehead bore witness to the pain
she was meekly suffering.
As one or two silent tears escaped from
her closed eyelids and crept softly down
her cheek, slight step sounded on the
landing outside, and knock came gently
TO the panels of the door.
"Come in," said Ellen, hurriediy dash
ing away the tears. Z" Laura, is it posi-
bic that ii is you, dear?"
Yes, 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?"
i. Ellen tried to smile family.
:" / am not very sick, Laura at least
have not suffered much pain until tonight,
and the doctor says that if only had
little wine--no. Laura, do rot draw your
purse" she added, with slight percepti-
BILE sparkle in her eyes, and proud quiv-
er on her lips. I" am not quite SO low yet
as 10 accept charity. Don't look SO hurt
and grieved, dearest. You know how
sensitive ] cannot help being on some
points. 1t is only for a little while.
When am well enough to take that dress
home and receive the money for it, l shall
then be enabled to purchase whatever
may require"
Laura Avery knelt down at her friends
sedside with soft, pleading eyes.
Dear Ellen, you will not refuse to ac-
cept temporary loan from me ?"
4 l. 4.