The Vermont transcript. [volume] (St. Albans, Vt.) 1864-1870, 1867-01-18

"Will you have some more Goals,
maam r.
"Not at present, Susan"
But Susan still fingered, playing
with the ruffled frills of her apron.
Mrs Tooker looked up.
"What is it, Susan p
III you please, ma'am, could you ac-
commodate me with my wages o-day?
they were due yesterday"
Mrs. Tooker colored.
at is not convenient this morning,
Susan
Susan hesitated.
Il had counted on receiving it this
morning, ma'am."
81 tell you it is inconvenient, said
Mrs. Tooker, speaking little shortly.
Ten dollars don't make much differ
ence one way or the other and I'll try
to let you have it early next week. "
Susan left the room silenced, but APP
pareutly very far from contented, and
Mrs. locker returned to her reading
not without smothered sense Of NOR
tification at her heart 1t was the first
time she had ever failed to pay her do
mestics punctually and fully, and the
sensation of Indebtedness was far from
pleasant.
1t was quite dark when Susan put
on her bonnet and shawl, and futtered
through the dusk to her own scantily
furnished home in an obscure street.
An old woman in white frilled cap
was sewing by the light of kerosene
lamp, and a pretty, slender girl OF
eighteen, who had apparently just
come in, leaned against the mantel.
"Oh, Susan, I'm 50 glad it's you y
Were you looking for me, Fanny q
Eyes. Have you got the money!
"No."
Fanny's countenance fell.
ooh, Susan, | must have it !"
I'm sorry, Fanny, but Mrs. Tooker
did not pay me my wages, although
they were due yesterday. Is it very
important p
Fanny was silent; her rosy under
lip quiyered, but she made no answer,
while Susan sat down beside her moth
er, and began to whisper little items
of news.
Fanny, you're not going ?"
Il must, Susan; | told Mrs. Parker
l wouldn't stay but a few minutes
What does all Fanny?' said old
Mrs. Smith, settling her silver bowed
spectacles, as the young girl hurried
away.
Il don't know, I'm sure. | wish j
could have brought her that money /
borrowed of her last month 2"
"She ought to have money enough,
said the old mother, thoughtfully. 81
haven't seen a cent of her wages in
three months, and l know Mrs. Par
ker is very liberal with her, and Miss
Jamie 10 always making her some little
present or other
Susan shook her head.
II must talk with Fanny" she said
gravely.
Meantime Fanny Smith had disap
peared down the narrow purlieus of O
dark network of streets, fitting along
like shadow, until she came to cor
ner, where, dimly seen 10y the light OF
dull gas-lamp, young man leaned
against an uninhabited house on the
corner.
"Well p
Fanny could hardly speak her breath
came and went so fast from the ex-
haustion of rapid travelling, but she
shook her head.
You have not brought it?'
Il could not get it, Roger
"Then | am ruined.
He turned moodily away Fanny
caught his arm.
Roger, where are you going ~
'To drown myself, or blow out my
brains with pistol, l don't much care
which
Fanny burst into hysterical sobs.
ooh, Roger, Roger, don't talk so.
I'll get the money for you some way,
if you'll only wait one day more"
"You told me / should have it to-
night
cit was promised to me tonight,
Roger, but Susan-that's my sister
didn't get her wages as she expected.
Oh, Roger, don't look at me SO!
He rested one hand lightly on her
shoulder.
"Poor little Fan, | wish had new
er seen you, but it's too late now I'm
in for it, and / must drag you down
with me, more's the pity. And W len
will you bring the money p
ITO morrow night, Roger. "
"Without fail ?"
"Without fail, she answered, firmly.
"Well done" he laughed, huskily.
you've got the true grit in you, Fan
ny. Come, I'll walk part of the way
home with you, if you're not ashamed
to take a Bowery loafers arm
ASHAMED, Roger?'
The tender blue eyes, uplifted to his
face. were full of strange, misty light,
Roger bent to touch his lips to the
rosebud mouth for him very unusu-
al demonstration, and drew her arm
through his.
"Come, then.
Mrs Tooker was sitting at her
breakfast table two mornings after
wards, toying leisurely with her cup
of frothing chocolate, while her hus-
band, in the big chair opposite, slowly
glanced his eyes up and down the
columns of the damp morning paper.
as there anything new, Charles 7"
uNou2no Tho ueual imbroulios in