The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1868-04-16


Nell, l could not imagine why you did
not come and it that dress as you APP.
pointed; but / know the reason now.
Nelly, you are SICK. Why did you not
send for meg'
Ellen tried 10 smile faint.y.
am not very sick Laura; at least,
have not suffered much pain until To-
night, aud the doctor says thas Ii only
had little wine---no, Laura, do not
draw your purse" she added with a
slight pcrccptible sparkle ip her eyes
aud proud quiser on her lips; q am
not quite so low yetas 10 accept charity.
Don't look so hunt aud gricvod, dearest.
You know hos sensitive cannot help
being on some points IL IL ouly for 4
little while. When am well enough
TO take that dress home, and receive
the Iiioney for Il, Ishall then be enabled
TO Purchasc whatever | may require. .
Laura Avery knelt dowa AZ her
frieud's beside wish soft, pleading eyes.
Dear Ellen, yoa will not refuse 10
aecept temporary loan from me Z"
Ellea shook her head with a grave
smile. f i can waig Laura" T"
laura looked from tile dress to Ellen
with face painted with perplexi.y.
Suddenly a. bright inspiration seemed
20 strike her.
let me take The drcss home, FL.
lea n she asked The walk will bc
ass sbat need, aud eau stop. at Du,
bonr's on the way back aad order the
vine for you. Yoawiil never be strong
uulcss you. cosset youfself up a little.
You will let me, Nelli'
Ellen hesiiaicd momeat
But, Laura
No bats 10 the matter, II you please,
Nell" laughed hsnra, glcefalIy, begin.
ming TO fold the rich drcss into a litllo
bsskc. that stool 90 the table beside il.
Where Is il 70 gOf'
TO Mrs. Richley's, 10 River street.
Why, laura, what is the matter n
Nothing. only ! am folding this
dress wrong, returned Laura in Low
veicc. IL was vol thai Ellen did not
see scarlet blush that rose 10 her
friends lovely cheek "a Ahe stood with
her back 10 the bed. smooihing the lus,
tFons breadlhs Of purple elk Mrs.
Rchleys. Laura was almost sorry that
she had volunteered 70 20, baG i was
TOO la,o 70 Fulrsct lsos offer nov.
aWhat selh.h liillu crcatara am, "
sbq nascd Igpf Nelly needs tho
iaeaey ~ yeFy much, aad eanDos gs Tor
it hersclf, and i isn', ss all likely that
| absll acc Iiosian. IwilI go--ihera Il
aa ebd ol ii t
Thank you, dear Laura, i il so
kind Of you, said Eilcn icFyently, "a
Aiaa Avery cawe 10 the bedside sjih
the basket on her arm, and black veil
drawn closely over the brown velvet
bonnet '4She owes me three dellars
for this drcAs, aad there are seyeu dol.
lars on she old seeoual that she has
never paid me
Ten dollaTs. I'D collect Il, never
fear said Laura gaily, "a shv disap-
pearcd, while 20 poor Ellen il seemed
as il the sunshine bad all died pat xith
the preceDsc Of her bcan,ifal friend.
Il was nearly dusk when Miss. Avery,
summoaing up all her resolution, ssecn.
ded The bFown stone steps Of the Rich.
ley mansion AID rang the bell.
Il Mrs, Riebley az hoincg"
Whats your business with Mrs,
Behley," asked tho servant, suspicious.
IS serntinikiug The basket that shc car
risd Laura biz her lips. This man.
ncF from acrgapls was an entirely new
experience 10 her, yet how often must
peor Ellen haye endured jt
~ have called % briog home dress
that wls flushed for her, she said, in
tone Of quiet dignity.
lt'O-ah-yes; wsll, ! s'posc you'd
best walk ia,
The sergaut conducted her up stajr
10 sort Of sitting room or, boudoir,
whore Ms Riebley, a portlj dame Of
about fity, gorgcoasly dressed 10 a
crimson SIX, @was sitting 10 her easy
chair ia front Of q glowing coal fire.
Laura was inwardly grateful that The
gas bad DOT been lighted, particularly
wheD she observed that Mr.. Florian
RicIlley was louoging on seiyet sofa
10 one Of the window recesses. Mrs.
nichleg looked up as tho servant ushes-
cred ID tho new conner.
Well, young woman, what Do son
wantl" ' '''a
Laura's check iingcd at the tone ol
coarse insolepce IN which she, was ad !.
dressed, but she commanded herself 70
reply meeky; 60 s..,5
81 have brought home your drcss,
Mrs, Richey."
Where i Miss WaypaIl iysg r"
She is H.
/. 7" Very well LAY down The dressj it's
all right" F
But Laura stood her ground valiant
Ilyr 81 l..l.s.. PSI $500 w. 4,
Miss waynall would Ike the mop
ey tonighl, madame -seyen dollars on
the old account and three for this
dress" f
= |, is not convenient tonight"
"But, Mrs. Richley, Miss Wayuall
is i'll and needs the money" persisted
Laura. g,..,
There, Florian,' said Mrs. Riohley,
potulantly, addressing the young man
in the Turkish dressing gown and elab-
prately arranged bair, | told you just
how,it would be-"
nWhat the deuce is tho matter now 7"
snappishly asked Florian, for the FIRST
time eoudesccnding 70 eyiucc any inter-