The Ebensburg Alleghanian. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1865-1871, 1867-02-14

she added, with q slight, 2erceptible spar
kle in her eye and proud quiver on her
lip. 81 am not quite so low yet as to ac-
cept charity. Don't look so hurt and
grieved, dear. You know how sensitive
cannot help being en- that point When
l am well enough to take that dress home,
and receive the money 70: it, shall then
be enabled to purchase Whatever | may
require"
Laura Avery knelt down at her friends
bedside with soft, pleading eyes.
"Dear Ellen, you viii not refuse to ac-
cept temporary loan from me-"
Ellen shook her head with grave smile
81 can wait, Laura"
Laura looked from Ellen TO the dress
with face paiaed with perplexity. Sud
denly bright inspiration seemed to strike
her.
"Let me take the dress home, Ellen !"
she exclaimed ssThe walk will be just
what I need, and can stop at Dubour's
on the way back and order the wine for
you. You will never be strong unless
you cosset yourself up little. You will
let me, Nell ?'
Ellen hesitated moment.
"But, Laura"
"No butts in the matter, if you please,
Nell" laughed Laura eleefulIy, beginning
70 fold,t rich dress into little basket
that stood on tie table beside it.
"Where is it to go?"
"To Mrs. Richley's, in Rivers street.
Why, Laura, what is The matter %
"Nothing, only am folding this dress.
- T L.
1t was well that Ellen did not see the
scarlet blush that rose to her friends
lovely cheek as she stood with her back
to the bed, smoothing .he lustrous breadths
of purple silk. Mira. Richley's! Laura
was almost sorry that she had volunteered
to go, bat it was too late to retract her
offer now.
"What selfish little creature am"
she mused. 'Poor Nelly needs the mo-
ney so much, aud cannot GO for it herself,
and it isn't at all likely that shall see
FloraiD. will go-Ihere is an end of IT,"
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 ben net
"She owes me three dollars Tor this dress,
and there are seven dollars on the old
account that she has never yet paid me. !"
'"Teu dollars I'll collect it; never
fear," said Laura gaily, as she disappeared,
while to poor Ellen it seemed as if the
sunshine all died out with the absence
of her beautiful srieu3.
1t was nearly dusk when Miss Avery,
summoning all her resolution, ascended
the brown stone steps of the Riohley man
sion and rang the bell.
ais Mrs. Richley at home 2"
"What's your business with Mrs. Rich
ley ?" asked the servant, suspiciousIy eye
| ing 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.
"1 have called to bring home address
that was finished for her" she said In a
tone of quiet dignity.
"O-ah-yes well, s'pose you'd best
walk in"
The servant conducted her up stairs to
a sort of sitting room or boudoir, where
Mrs. kichley, Fortly Dame of about Etty,
gorgeousiy dressed IL crimson silk, was
sitting in her easy chair in front of q
glowing coal fire. Laura was inwardly
grateful that the gas had not been lighted,
particularly when she observed that Mr.
Floraih Richley was lounging on a velvet
sofa In one OF the window recesses. Mrs.
Rlchiey looked up as the servant ushered
in the new conner
"Well, young woman, what 90 you
want ?"
Laura's cheek tiuge6 az the tone of
coarse insolence In which she was ad-
| dressed, but she commanded herself TO
reply meekly,
"I Save brought home Jour dress, Mrs.
Richley."
"Where is Miss Wayuall2"
"She is ill.,
! "Fs.y well lay down the dress; 1t is
all right"
But Laura stood her ground valiantly.
'M:ss WayDall would like the money
tonight, madam-seven dollars on the old
account and three fer the dress."
! alt is not convenient to-nigh ght."
"But, Mrs. Richley, Miss Wayuall is
| i'll and needs the money!" persisted Laura.
"There, Fiorain," said Mrs. Richley,
petuian,ly addressing the young man in
the Turkish dressing-gown and elaborately
arranged hair, 81 told you just how it
would be-"
"What the deuce is the matter now I"
snappishly asked Floraiu, for the 6rst
time conGescending to evince any interest
In VIA: was going on.
"Why, these impertinent dressmaking
people are always clamoring for money,