Weekly Trinity journal. [volume] (Weaverville, Calif.) 1857-1972, 1868-05-16
NUMBER 10.

OF sitting-room or boudoir, where Mrs Ricbley
portly dame of about fifty, gorgeously dressed
in crimson silk, was sitting in her easy chair
in front of glowing coal fire. Laura was in
wardly grateful that the gas had not been light
ed, particularly when she observed that Mr.
Floran Richley was lounging a velvet sofa in
one of the window recesses. Mrs. Richley look
ed up as the servant ushered in the new conner
Well, young woman, what do you want?'
Laura's cheek tingled at the tone of coarse in
science in which she was addressed but she
commanded herself to reply meekly
81 have brought home your dress Mrs. Rich
ley"
"Where is Miss Waynall?" ?"
stShe is i'll"
every well; lay down the dress it is all
right
But Laura stood her ground valiantly.
&c Miss Waynall would like the money tonight,
madam-seven dollars the old account ana
three for this dress
{" 1t is not convenient tonight"
But, Mrs. Richley, Miss Waynall is i'll and
needs the money" persisted Laura.
'' There, Florian," said Mrs. Richley, petu-
lantly, addressing the young man in the Turkish
dressing-gown and elaborately arranged hair.
% told you just how it would be-"
| What the deuce is the matter now ?" snap
pishly asked Forian, for the first time conde-
scending to eTince any interest in what was go
ing ON; %; .,o.o ou.;.on. ,-o.. NO, 40 n.on,.
!
are always clamoring for money, just when yon
have drained me of my last cent"
" Let EN- clamor, them that S my advice, " said
Floran without taking the trouble to move his
head.
"Just give me back that tendolar bill, Flor
ian, urged his mother. " You can't want it to-
night.
But do want it, ithappens,' said Florian
coollv
- You are going to fritter it away in some of
those gambling houses, to drink yourself stupid
again. fretted Mrs. Rchley. @ It's too bad,
getting my money away from me just to indulge
in those horrible habits. Why don't you earn
money for yourself?'
q Easy, ma, easy" said the dutiful son, lazily
dragging himself to sitting posture. Don't
lose your temper for it isn't worth while. This
ten-dollar bill is going to help make my fortune.
l shall take the lovely Laura to the opera to-
night"
q Nonsense; this fine scheme will flash in the
pan just like all the rest of your castles in the
air. She won't have you"
'sOh 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 you viii. leave off your gambling habits?
Oh, Forian they will be the ruin of you yet"
g Perhaps, and perhaps not, returned the
young man insolently. ''That will be very much
as please"
Both the mother and her son had entirely for
gotten the presence of the young girl who was
standing in the dusky shadows near the door,
until this moment, when Mrs. Richley, turning
sharply round and, saw her.
" What you waiting for?' she asked irrit-
ably. 81 | have already told you that 1t was not
convenient to pay the money tonight why
dom you 60 about your business p
Her cheeks were flashed even beneath their
artificial bloom ot rouge, and her chill grey eyes
ln1 wit ric n M
posedly advanced forward. She took one of the
wax tapers from the china shells and lighted the
gas with a steady hand, whose fash of rich
rings filled Mrs. Richley with astonishment.
&C. am sorry that you cannot pay your just
debts, madam, said Laura quietly looking the
amazed mother and son in the face; but am
not sorry for an occurrence that has had the eff
feet of opening my eyes to the true character of
Florian Richley. | will take the ten dollars, sir,
to my sick friend, as you will find it entirely un-
necessary to GO to the expense of taking Miss
Avery to the opera to night
Florians handsome cheek had grown pale
his knees quivered beneath him as he md echanic-
ally took the bill from the pocket-book and
placed it in the hand of the imperative beauty,
while Mrs. Richley sank back aghast into the
cushioned armchair.
Florian made one desperate effort to retrieve
his lost fortune, even in the moment of sore de-
feat and discontinue.
% / am very sorry-awkward mstake-hope
you will afford me an explanation, he stammered.
81 require no explanation, sir" was Lauras
cold reply, as she withdrew from the apartment
haughty and unapproachable as a statue of ice.
She hurried homeward through the twilight
streets, with burning check and beating heart,
and it was nearly dark when once she
tered Miss Waynalrs room, lighted only by the
faint glow of low fire.
Back so soon, Laura?' asked Ellen some
what surprised.
I" Here is the money, Nelly, and the winc,"
she said thankful that the dim light could not
betray her tell-tale features. "And now you
must get we'll as soon you can"
''Oh, Laura, l am so much obliged to you"
said Ellen earnestly.
Laura stopped to kiss her friends pale check,
inwardly rejecting how much she had to thank
Ellen's indispostion.
But she never told Ellen of the discovery she
had unwittingly made; while fulfilling the gentle
mission of friendship, and no one ever knew'the
precise manner in which the contemplated match
between Florian Richley and Laura Avery was
broken off.
There are some things that bring their own re-
ward in this word-and the one act OF Kindhess
had saved Laura from unconsciousy taxing tne
step that would have precipitated her INTO a'iiie