The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1869-06-17


a spnsm of coughing seized her, which
compelled her to lay down her work and
clasp both her hands to her side, while
the paleness of her thin check flushed
into hectic. Mrs. Stirling had not seen
her before since spring, the work re.
turned that morning having been sent
to her by Il servant. She went to her
and sat down in a chair which stood
near.
Your sister said you were sick, and
so came to see if | could be of any
use to you" she said, in ge tile tones,
which, Of themselves, carried a certain
comfort with them. "You have
changed terribly since spring. must
hear all about il; but want you to eat
what l have brought you; here is some
jelly, and bit of cold chicken-they
will do you good"
The poor girl looked at the viands
with the involuntary greediness of hun.
ger. Then she blushed deeply, aud
said 10 low voice:
II am very grateful, madam; but if
you please, | will wait until you leave
me- Allow me at present. to attend to
you"
mo, indeed" Mrs. Stirling spoke
in her pretty absolute fashion. al am
not going yet. 1 want to talk with you
awhile, and shall not do so until you
have taken something to strengthen
you. Little Jane has lunched already"
So the gay, bright lady sat, and
waited, feeling, in the new prospect Of
being actively useful, genuine glow
of delight, When the girl had finished
her generous meal and taken up her
work again, Mrs. Stirling began to talk
to her"
Is this consumption, Annieg' she
asked, gently, Your cough alarms me. !"
"No, ma'am, am very sure it is
nothing of the kind yet There is no
consumption in our fan.ily My father
was a country minister, aud had strong
and healthy constitution He died
young, but it was from violent fever,
caught in attendance on sick stranger.
| think it was grief which made my
mother follow him in three months
She had always been delicate, though
not sickly, and she lacked the strength
it required to live and suffer. 1t is
seven years since she died. on the very
day little Jane was born"
How old were you thenY"
Fifteen, and there were no living
children between u two"
And have you supported yourself
and her ever sinccg"
"Oh! no. My fathers books and
furniture sold for enough to keep us
some time, and my aunt, who lived here
brought US to Boston We both lived
with her. She took care of Jane, and
| worked in shop, and earned enough
to buy our clothes and help Aunt Mar
tha with the living. 1t is only since
she died, three years ago, that | have
been all alone with Jenny"
"You came out of the shop then"
"fes, because | could not have Jen.
ny there with me, and she had no one
else to see to her, and indeed have
made more money since, | have EN-.
broidered SO much"
But surely you have suffered more
than usual this summer"
"oh! yes, ma am. The ladies that |
worked for are mostly out of town in
the summer always, and SO winters |
try to save something to help US through.
but last winter was so hard that | had
not as much work as usual, and this
summer We have not been very well of.
l had 10 give up the comfortable room
used to have, because could not
earn enough to pay for it, aud suppose
the dampness here has not just agreed
with me
she tried to smile, but the tears came
instead. Mrs. Stirling took her hand
with q comforting pressure.
"Dontcry. Better times are coming
to you now. am sure | can influence
you great deal more work You shall
have enough to do, aud we must see
that you move out Of this damp, un-
healthy place"
Sister Annie smiled sadly.
"The landlord has seen to that,
madam. l can only stay here three
days longer. He wants to let the room
to tenant who will pay more; and
have been troubled for fear | should
not be able to 60 out and fnd another
place"
Wel' you must not feel anxious
Just leave 'hat t'ii tomorrow, Then
you are not able 70 go, will lind a
place ior you; It can not bc difficult
matter to hnd one as good as this. At