Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1868-10-14

silk.
What selfish little creature am. -
she mused. Poor Nelly needs the money
so very much, and cannot go for it herself,
and it isn't at all likely that | shall see
Florian. But | will go-and there is the
end of it. !"
Thank you, dear Laura, it is so kind of
You, said Ellen, ferventIy, as she came to
the bedside with the basketon her arm. and
a black veil drawn closely over the brown
velvet bonnet. She owes me three dol
lars for this dress, and there are seven dol
lars on the old account that she has never
paid me"
Ten dollars! I'll collect it, never fear, ="
said Laura gaily, as she disappeared, while
to poor Ellen it seemed as if the sunshine
had all died out with the presence of her
beautiful friend
1t was nearly dusk when Miss Avery,
summoning up all her resolutions, assembled
the brown stone steps of the Richley man
sion and rang the bell.
SIS Mrs. Richley at home?"
ley p asked the servant, suspiciously scru-
tinizing the 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.
Il have called to bring home dress that
was finished for her, she said, in a tone of
quiet dignity.
"Oh-ah-yes well, [ spose yon'd best
walk in.
The servant conducted her up stairs to
sort of sitting room OF boudoir, where Mrs
Richley, portiy dame of about fifty, gor-
geously dressed in crimson silk, was sitting
in her easy chair in front OF glowing coal
fire. Laura was inwardiy grateful that the
gas had not been lighted. particularly when
she observed that Mr.. Florian Richley was
lounging on a velvet sofa in one of the win
dow recesses. Mrs. Richly looked up as
the servant ushered in the new conner
We'll. young woman. what do you want?"
Laura cheek tinged at the tone of coarse
insolence in which she was addressed, but
she COMMANDED herself to reply meekly: Il
have broughthomey your dress, Mrs Richley" "
w here is Miss Waynall?'
'.She is ILL., -
''Very well; lay down the dress; it is
right"
But Laura stood her ground valiantly
Miss Waynal would like the money to-
night, mada.ne-seven dollars on the old ac-
count, and three for this dres-.'
at IS not convenient To night"
But Mrs. Rchley, Miss Waynall is i'll
and needs the money, persisted Laura.
There Florian, said Mrs. Richley, pet
ulently addressing the young man in the
dressing gown and elaborately arranged hair,
II told you just how it would be. "
What the deuce is the matter now? ?"
snappiehl. asked Florian, for the first time
understanding to evince any interest in what
was going cn.
Why, these lmpertinent dress making
people are always clamoring for money, just
when you have drained me of my last cent.
Let EN- clamor, then that 5 my advice,
said Fiorian, without taking the trouble to
move his head.
just give me back that ten dollar bill,
Florian," urged his mother. You can't
want it to night"
But do want it, it happens, said Flo
rian, cooly.
You are going to fritter it away in some
of those gambling houses to drink yourself
stupid again, fretted Mrs. Richey. Its
too bad. getting my money away from me
just to indulge those horrible habits. Why
don you earn money for yourself?'
''Easy, ma, easy" said the dutiful son,
lazily dragging himself to a sitting pos'ur
Don't lose your temper, for 1t isn't worth
while. This ten dollar bill is going to help
make my fortune. / shall take the lovely
laura to the opera to night.
Non, ense; this fine scheme will flash IN
the pan just like all the rest of your castles
in the air. She won't have you.
oh, yes, she will, my incredulous mamma;
wait and see. shall bring her to the point
pretty soon. Then I'll pay you back the
money with interest out of my lady bag OF
sinners
And will you leave or your gambling
habits? Oh, Fiorian, they will be the ruin
of you yet.
Perhaps, perhaps not, returned Florian
insolently. That will be very much as
please.
Both the mother and her son had forgot
ten the presence of the young girl who was
standing ia the dusky shadows near the door,
until this moment, when Mrs Richley, turn
ing sharply around saw her. What are you
waiting for?'' she asked irritably. Il have
already told you that it was not convenient
to pay the money to night-why don't you
90 about your business?"
Her cheeks were flushed even beneath
their artificial bloom of rouge, and her chill
gray eyes sparkled with rising anger, as
Laura Avery composedly advanced forward.
She took one of the wax tapers from the
china shell and lighted the gas with steady
hand, whose flash of rich rings filled Mrs.
Richley with astonishment.
Il am sorry that you cannot pay your just