Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1868-03-20


paid me-"
- Ten dollars I'll collect it. never fear.
said Laura gaily, as she disappeared, Will
to poor Ellen it reccmcd as if the sunshin
had all died out with the presence Of he
beautiful friend.
ltwas nearly dusk when Mis- Avery. sum
moning mp all her resolution. asccnded tn
brown stone step, Of the Richlcy mansion an,
rang the bell
e. Is Mrs. Richley at home o.
-. Whats your business with Nh, Rich
ley, asked the servant u-dciously ,crutiniz
ing the basket that she carried. Laura hi
her lips This manner from servants was al
entirely new experience to her, yet how oltel
must poor Ellen have endured it, ~ hay,
called TO bring home dress that was finish
ed for her. she said, in tone of quiet dign
ty.'
'.o-ah-yc+ well, -'r3-e you'd best
walk in.
The servant conducted her up Stair to a
sort Of sitting room or houd,r. where Mrs
Richley. "a portlv dame of about fifty. gorge
ously dressed in a crimson silk, was sitting in
her easy chair in front of "a glowing coal fire.
Laura was iuwarllygratetul that the gas had
not been lighted, particularly when she OBJ
served that Mr.. florian Ricilry was loung-
lug un velvet -,ia in one OF the window re-
cesses. Ms. Rirhlcy lo,kcIup as the ser
want u7icrcd in the new conner.
Well. young woman. what do you
want ."
Laura check tiuscI at the toueof coarse
insoleucc IN which she WAS addressed, butshe
commanded herself to reply meekly.
Z. | have brought home Your dress, Ms
Richlcv."
.Whcre is Mrs Wnynall?"
.' She i- Ill.
=. Very well; lay down the dress ; it is all
right"
But Laura stood her ground valiantly.
.' Miss Waynall would like the money to-
night. madame--eyen dollars on the old ac-
/ count and three for this dress.
'' 1t is not convenient tonight
.' But. Mrs RichIey Miss Waynall is III
and needs tlcIaoncy.' persisted laura.
" There, Flouan. said Air>. Richlev.petu-
| hntlv, addressing the young man in the
/ Turkish dressing gown and elab1ratciy ar
! ranged hair Sc : taid You just how It would
J De-"
e. What the deuce is tie matter now ?''
-napri-h.y asked tlrian. for the first time
gJuIe>ccuiiuL to e,iurc any interest in what
va- going on.
Why, .h'- m.artiaont dress-making
people are alwa chm.riue frmonev, lust
when yuu have drained me of nay last cent.
" Let 'cm cam,r. tlcn. t..at'e uy advice.
said FiosiUu. without taking tie trouble %
move hi- head.
.. ju-t give lue Iaes taat tenn dollar l.ll,
florian, urged h- mother " luu can't
want it to night.
r-.u..,ii,-
.. Y.aare ...,I3., to .ritt,., Il .,u.., ia -.lnc
.r .I..-.. 7;rl h...s. II. Jr.rt ,s,,f-,lr
--..ril a7-.in. 're.r-i Mr.. Ri,hl.v~ II,
90 bad. .,.-tir.., nv none, sNa, from me
u~t ta uluIee in those horrible habits
{iby don't ,.,.l ..arn money for ,,.r,eif2''
..El.y ma .,-, .i-f The Jntifpl SON
laliI 5-,,o-i.., himself -, o., -i+tir., r,.r,,re
e. Don't h., your tciDrcr for II isu't worth
willie Tiis ten dollar L.lI {. -oinc To helm
,aal-. nv fortune. sI9U take fie IoysIv
Igi.r, T., tf,. .,rsfa to-nirbt &c
3. Nou-ru.s this fine scheme will fash in
ti. i.su ils. Ike all the rest Of your castles
III the air. She won't lat, you.
..Oh.ve,-Lew,i .mvin.r. .bilousmaluna.wai
and sac. shah bring Der % tho point pretty
soon Then l'nlav vau back the money
with interest out Gf n,v lady's bag of shi-
ners."
And viii You leave III your gaml ling
habits Oh, Fioriau. they will Poe tie ruin Of
you yct."
PERHAPS. perhaps not. rgtalucl the
Young 4au in-olently. -lhat viii le very
much as please"
Both the mother and her SON had entirely
fr-Jrten the presence of the Young glrl who
..as standing iu the du-ky shadows near the
until tAi- hi memr. when Mrs. idcIAer.turn-
ing Sharply around. saw her,
Nv hat are y1n waiting for. s!.e asked
HTitahlv. Il have already told you thot It
WAS NOT convenient % Tay themuncy tonight
why don you gl about Your business
Her cheeks were flushed even beneath their
artificial hlo'm of rouge and her chill grey
eve parked with rising anger "a, Laura
Avery ,ou1o~elly advanced forward. She
to.k one Of thc wax taperS from the china
shell and lighted the gas with % steady hand.
whose flash Of rich ings flied Mrs. Richley
with astouishment.
d. am sorry that you canuotTay your just
debts. madam. said Laura, quietly looking
the amazed mother and son in the face. '.but
am MT sorry for any occurrence that ha-
had the effect Of opening my eyes to the true
character Oi FiorittE NIciIeF. VIII take tllt
ten dollars. sir. to mv sick friend, rs You viii
find ii unnecessary t. 90 To theexuense of tax
inc Mis- Laura Ayerr to the opera tonight ''
Florian's handsome cheek had grown pale
his knees qui,ercd beneath him as be me
clauicallv took the bill from his poeket-book
and placed it in the hand of the imperative
beauty. while Mrs. Richley sank back aghast
into the cushioned arm clair.
Florian made one desperate effort to retire
yc his lost fortune. even in the moment Of
sure defeat and discontinue
81 am verv slrrv-awkarl mistake-hope
you will afford nl. an explauation.' &c he stanl-
mered.
e. require n1 explanation. sir. was Lau-
/ apartment hau='uit ANA Gl'pi1"a'i'i'Ie rs
/ Sb,. hurried bon..,rar,l rir.p.,h the twilight
/ streets, win hanin- cheek ana beating
heart and 1T was nearly dark wien once
more she entered Miss ""lia'l Ic''" 'i-"'-
] ell IfniE ~ f.Hf tlluT ElflW fll q ION me.