Weekly Trinity journal. [volume] (Weaverville, Calif.) 1857-1972, 1868-05-16
Behind the Scenes.

Ct Four o'clock and no Ellen yet? What car
detain her SO? She is usually more punctua
than the clock itself.'
) 1t was scarcely room in which Laura Avery
was sitting-rather magnificent bay window
with draperies of embroidered lace.
"Poor Ellen,' she murmured, how different
our lots have been ordered in this world. Hel
parents dead-their wealth irretrievably lost
and she too proud to accept a cent that she has
not laboriously earned. Oh, dear p and Laura
sighed again just as the clocks liquid voice
ehimed the half hour.
" She doesn't come" soliloquized the puzzled
little damsel. q There's something the matter.
Perhaps she is sick-oh, dear, she must be sick
I'll send James to inqure-no FL go myself"
Before the words were out of her lips she was
up in her own room, adjusting soft grey shawl
over her black silk dress, and tying the strings
of quiet little, brown velvet bonnet, whose one
crimson rose among its trimmings of enameled
moss was not unlike the bloom of her own
cheek.
I" don't think it is going to snow" she pom
dered, looking out at the grey, threatening sky,
as she drew on her perfectly fitting gloves. "At
any rate shall walk very fast"
AS she came through the softly carpeted YES
tibule servant approached her.
ga note, Miss Laura, it came five minu tes
ago"
Ah the several shades in the back
ground now, as she broke the scented seal, and
glanced over the delicate, cream colored sheet,
with a bright suppressed smile dmpling the cor
ners of her mouth Yet the note was very
simple one after all
MY DEAR Miss AVERY May promise my
self the pleasure of accompanying you to hear
the new opera tonight? Unless receive mess
age 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 picture on the
wall should catch sight of the elegant chiro-
graphy and pursued her way down the gloomy
street, with eyes that saw the murky atmosphere
through the radiant glow of couleur de rose.
! Meantime the grey light of October was fading
away from the dreary room in the third story of
a house situated on one of those streets where
decent respectability strives hand to hand with
the grim assailant Want
Singularly out of keeping with the shabby
and poverty-stricken aspect of the apartment,
was newly finished dress of ustrous purple
silk, bright the dyes of Tyre, that lay folded
on the table beside the window in such a man
ner that you could see the costly trimming-a
wide border of purple velvet, edged on either
side with a futing of white point lace. For poor
Ellen Waynall was nothing more important than
a hard working and poorly paid dress-maker.
! She lay a little white bed in the corner,
with her flushed face pressed close against the
pillow, and her slender figure partially covered
by a coase plaided shawl, while the involuntary
contraction of her forehead bore witness to the
pain she meekly suffering.
As one or two silent tears escaped from her
closed eyelids, and crept softly down her check
light step sounded on the landing outside, and
knock came gently to the panels of the door.
''Come in" said Ellen, hurriedy dashing
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 rea-
son now. Nelly, you sick. Why did you
not send for meY'
Ellen tried to smile family.
g | am not very sick, Laura at least, l have
not suffered much pain until tonight, and the
doctor says that if | only had little wine-no,
Laura, do not draw your purse, she added,
with slight preceptible sparkle in her eyes and
q proud quiver on her lips g | am not quite so
low yet as to accept charity. Don't look so hurt
and grieved, dearest. You know how sensitive
cannot help being points. 1t is only
for little while. When ! am we'll enough to
take that dress home, and receive the money for
it. shall then be enabled to purchase whatever
l may require"
Laura Avery knelt down at her friends bed
side with soft, pleading eyes
s' Dear Ellen, you will not refuse to accept
| temporary loan from me? ?"
| Ellen shook her head with grave smile.
| 60 can wait, Laura"
| Laura looked from the dress to Ellen with
face painted with perplexity. Suddenly bright
| inspiration seemed to strike her.
| q Let me take the dress home, Ellen?' she
asked 1.-The walk will be just what need,
and can stop at Dubour's 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 a moment.
u But Laura"
"No butts in the matter if you please, Nell"
laughed Laura, gleefully, beginning to fold the
rich dress into little basket that stood on the
table beside it,
% Where is it to go ?"
"To Mrs. Richley's in River street. Why,
Laura, what is the matter?'
q Nothing, only, | folding this dress
wrong" returned Laura in low voice. 1t was
well that Ellen did not see the scarlet blush that
rose to her friends lovely cheek as she stood
there with her back to the bed, smoothing the
lustrous breadths of purple silk. Mrs. Rchley' !
Laura was almost sorry that she had volunteer
ed to go, but it too late to retract her offer
now.
"What selfish little creature am" she
mused. "Poor Nelly needs the money so very
much, and cannot 60 for it herself, and it ism t
at all likely that shall see Florian. will go
there is an end of it."
I; Thank you, dear Laura, it is so kind of
you," said Ellen fervently, Miss Avery came
to the bedside with the basket on her arm, and
black veil drawn closely over the brown-velvet
bonnet. 90 She owes me three dollars for this
dress, and there seven dollars on ar old ac-
count that she has never paid me-
Ten dollars I'll collect it, never fear.
said Laura gaily, as she disappeared, while to
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, sum
moning up all her resolution, ascenced 'he
brown-stone steps of the Richley mansion ana
rang the bell. -,
s'Is Mrs. Richley at home? - p:..,. :,
nWhat's YOUR business with Mrs: Ricbley,
asked the servant, suspiciousy scrntinizing the
hasket that she carried. Laura bit her lips.
This manner from servants an entirely new
experience to her, yet how often must poor Ell
| len have endured it.
~ have called to bring home dress that was
finished for her,; she said, in a tone of quiet
dignity.
ssO-ah-yes; well, | spose you'd best walk
J in