Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1870-10-05
TRIED IN THE ORUOIBLE.

TRIED IN THE ORUOIBLE.
Rain, rain, rain-a hopeless day, with an
easterly wind and sky of lead. The streets
were dirty and sloppy, and muddy and mis-
cradle. Women hurried along with drag
ced skirts men plunged through the slip
rery mud with umbrellas and sulky faces.
4 dark, dreary, miserable day; and all of
it, gloom was rejecting in Miss Evelyn's
face. as she stood looking out of her beu-
doir window.
She was tall and stately, and beautifully
dressed, too, this Miss Evelyn and young
that Is to say, twenty-five, SO she need
hardly have worn that weary, miserable look
one may think, if the weather was bad.
Besides one would have thought it fine
thing TO be Miss Constance Evelyn, with .
fortune of one hundred thousand dollars and
such pretty room to nestle in on wet days.
Miss Evelyn dropped the curtains as the
little ormolu clock stru,k eleven, and began
walking up and down, up and down, with
the shadow in her face deepening and dark
ening every moment.
Presently she stopped before great mir
TOR that reflected her from top to toe, and
gazed long and fxedly at the pale, proud
face, black, glossy hair, and blue eyes that
gazed back.
Am handsome?" thought Miss Eve
lyn, 'Or is it only the wrctchcd hattery that
poured into the ear of every rich woman
that know? Which does he think l won
Lery"
Ah that little telltake pronoun? The
pgoudest of these proud women are humble
enough when ''he" is in the question.
and, am growing old?' thought Miss
Evelyn, Il never fancied so until last night.
The iiea Of an unmarried woman of fye-and-
twenty presuming to think herself young
passed him talking TO a young lady-a
gushing girl just out. j passed, but they
did not see me. Miss Evelyn handsome =
exclaimed Missy,in answer to something he
had said, oh, yes, of course, but frightful-
ly old, ism she? Why, she was going to
he married to Mr.. Lawrence ever SO long
ago, and was engaged to cousin ages be
fore that That was quite enough. L
walked away, and danced with the first
gentleman who asked Inc, and comprehend
ed that my life was gone and | was an old
maid
She began walking up and down again,
her thoughts wandering gloomily into the
past.
And what useless life it has been |!
Il. Ill
vapid, empty mocxeryl am weariness to
myself and useless thing to my fellow
Creatures. five are all born with destiny
to accomplish, and work to do, it is time
found mine out, and began it. What is an
old maids mission, any way? To talk
scandal, drink tea, and be snubbed? Come
inr
There had been modest rap at the door.
Mary, the housemaid, appeared.
'lfy you please, Miss, Mr.. Underhill is in
the drawing room
Miss Evelyn started.
Nlr. Underhil? Such a morning Well
60 down, Mary, and tell him I'll be there in
moment"
She shook out her flowing morning robes,
'moothed her glossy braids, and slowly de-
scended. Mr.. Underhill. Miss Evelyn's
lawyer, sober elderly man, rose up at her
entrance
Good morning, Miss Evelyn. Dreary
day, lsn'tit? You didn't expect a visitor
such weather?'
Hardly Miss Evelyn answered, Ian
guliIy But you are very welcome, Mr..
Unlerhill.''
Thank you, Miss Evelyn. l wish 1
Brought more welcome news"
For the first time, now, the young lady
noticed the trouble in his face and voice.
What is it ?' she asked quietly, "trou,
DE for me!''
les, Miss Evelyn"
About money matters, os course. "
Yes"
You seem rather reluctant to tell it
Dir. Underhill beg you will think bettel
Of nc, Whatever it is, shall be glad t.
hear 1t at once
/ have cause to hesitate in telling ii, dea
young lady, for it is very unpleasant-very
indeed. You remember the conditions o
Your late guardians will p
Perfectly, sir.
VIII you have the goodness to repea
them to me, Miss Evelyn?''