North Branch democrat. [volume] (Tunkhannock, Pa.) 1854-1867, 1867-01-16
gelert gtOry,
BEHIND THE SCENES.

" Fonr O'Clock and no Ellen yet? What
can detain her so? She is usually more
punctual than the clock itself"
1t was scarcely a room 10 which Laura
Avery was sitting--rather a magnificent
bay window with drsperies of embroidered
lace.
"PoOr Ellen" she murmured, chow diff
ferently our lots have beer ordered in this
world. Her parents dead-their wealth
irretrieyably lost, aud she too proud to ac-
cept a cent that she has not laboriously
earned. Oh dearw and Laura sighed
again, just as the clocks liquid voice Chin
eu the half hour. ... .s.
"She doesn't come," solioquized the
| puzzled little damsel There's something
the matter, Perhaps she is sick--oh, dear,
she must be sick, I'll send James to iu-
quire- no, III 60 myself, 81, ...
B fore the words Were ont of her lips
she was up in her own room adjusting a
soft grey shawl over her black silk dress,
and tying the string of quiet little brown
velvet bonnet, whose own crimson rose
among its Trimmings of enameled moss was
not unlike the bloom of her own cheek.
Il don't think it is'going to snow" she
pondered, looking out at the grey. threat
ening sky, as she drew on her perfectly it-
ting gloves. "At any rate, | shall walk
very fast"
AS she came through the softly carpeted
vestibule servant approached her.
"a note, Miss Laura, it came five min
utes ago"
Ah! The rose was several shades in the
back ground now, as she broke the scented
seal, and glanced over the delicate. cream
colored sheet, with bright suppressed
smile dimpling the corners of her mouth.
Yet the note was very simple one after
all:
My DEAR Miss AvERY:-May prom
Use myself the pleasure of accompanying
you 10 hear the new opera to, night? I'm
less receive message to forbid me, will
call for you at half past seven. Your most
devoted slave and subject
FLoRIAN RIcHLEY.
Laura instinctively slipped the note into
her bosom, as if fearful lest the very pic
ture on the wall should catch sight of the
elegant chiography, and pursued her way
| down the gloomy street. with eyes that saw
the murky atmosphere through the radi
ant glow of conlenr de rose. Meantime
the gray light of October was fading away
from the dreary room on one ofthose streets
where decent respectabiity strives hand TO
hand with the grim assailant want.
Singular ont of keeping With the shabby
and poverty stricken aspect of the apart
mcnt, was a newly finished dress of lus-
trous purple silk, bright as the dyes of Tyre,
that lay folded on the table beside the
win dow in such a manner that you conld
| see the costly trimmng-a wide border of
purple velvet, edged on either side with a
futiug of hIte point lace. For poor El-
len WaynalI was nothing more important
than hard-workiog and poorly paid dress
maker.
She lay on the little white bed in the cor
ner, with her flushed face pressed close
against the pillow, and her slender figure
partially covered by coarse plaided scar
let shawl, while the Involuntary contrac-
tion of her forehead bore witness to the
pain she was meekIy suffering.
her closed eyelids, and crept softly down,
her check, light step sounded on the
landing outside, and a knock came gently
to the panels of the door.
Come in said Ellen hurriedly dash
ing away the tears. Laura is it possible
that this 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?'
Ellen tried to smile family.
am not very sick, Laura at least, /
have not suffered much pain until to night.
and the doctor says that if had only a lit
tie wine-no Laura, do not draw your
purse" she added, with a slight perceptible
sparkle in her eyes and proud culver on
her lips; 81 am not quite so low yet as %
accept charity. Don't look SO hurt and
grieved, dearest. You know how sensitive
| cannot help being on some points. 1t is
only for little while. When / am well
enough to take that dress home aud receive
the money for it, shall then be enabled
to purchase whatever may require" 4
Laura Avery knelt down at her friends
bedside with soft. pleading eyes 4
"Dear Ellen, yon will not refuse to ac-t
cept a temporary loan from me ?" 4
Ellen shook her head with grave
smile. 81 can wait, Laura" i
Laura, looked from the dress to Ellen
with face painted with perplexity. Sud-
denly bright inspiration seemed to strike
her.
'Iet me take the dress home. Ellen r
she asked. "The walk will be just what
| need, and / can stop at Dubour's on the
way back and order the wine for you
You will never be strong unless you cos.
set yourselfup little. You will let me,
Nell" ...s.,.. ~,.r
Ellen hesitated a moment.