Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1873-02-10
Gertie Vests Trial.

and bright looking, Notwithstanding the
long hours and close atmosphere of the
sewing room. She was such a happy
little bird, with such hopeful heart,
that she would not grow pale and thin
as most Of the others.
Say, ain'tyou glad ? Why don't you
clap your hands. and dance for JOY +? |
believe | must" throwing her arms about
one of her companions She was about
to snit her actions to her words, when a
step was heard on the stairs.
"Oh, here comes Miss Crane" she
whispered. and turned quickly to her
work.
Miss Crane was the forewoman of the
dressmaking department, in one of the
largest establishments of p She had
never been very popular with the girls,
and lately they had all grown not only
to dislike her very much, but really to
dread her entry into the work room. 1t
had been whispered that she had been
trying to fascinate Mr. Osborn, the head
of the firm, an old bachelor about sixty.
His marriage, few months previous, to
the widow of an old friend, ended all
hopes in that direction.
This disappointment had not tended
to improve her temper by any means.
However. for few days previous to
our story, the girls had to admit some
change for the better in her mood. Then
some of them declared he was after Mr.
Harry. Mr.. Osburn's nephew. Indeed
it did look rather like it, for somehow
Miss Crane managed to have a great
deal of business with Harry Osburn.
Although no longer very young. Miss
Crane was still quite handsome and as
many man of thirty had married WON.
en- ten. fifteen. and even twenty years
older than themselves-she had read oil
men of fame doing just so-Miss Crane
had hope, and really did look very sweet
whenever she could manage some excuse
to carry her to Mr. Harry.
do you think she heard Harry Os
burn whisper to me in the hall p the
happy girl asked, putting her rosebud o.
a mouth close to her friends ear, as Mis-;
Crane passed by, going into another room
Il am not quite sure, Gertie. but feal
so. l did, answered her friend.
Il don't mind if you did hear.
should have told you. But [ do hope sh,
did not
1--WE shall soon know if she did Sh,
will show her rage in some way"
A moment after, Miss Crane entered
six o'clock. young ladies" she said
In ten minutes more the girls wer
ready to leave, every face Frightening
by the thought of rest on the morrow
"Miss West. you will have to come a
usual in the morning. The dress yo
are at work on must be finished for tn
evening. | have an order to that effect,
Miss Crane said, approaching the door
as Gertie was about going
"Oh, no Indeed | can't come. Ho'
can |? /" she hesitated-"I hav
an engagement, Gertie said, lookin
implonngly at Miss Crane.
"Very WELL Perhaps Mr.. Osburn ca
find some one more willing, and more d,
sirous of getting and retaining emplo,
ment, to fill your place., " returned Mis-
Crane, coldly.
Can | not take it home with me?
will finish it tonight" Gertie asked
No. You know it is against IL
rules of this department..
% Then | shall have to come" Cert
answered.
Her lip quivered. and she strove hal
to keep back the tears as she followt
her friend down the steps.
, When out on the sidewalk, Gertie
companion said :
"You know now that she did hear
Yes, of course. Oh. is it not t
hard ? Mr.. Harry was going to taI
me out to see mother. don't mind lc
ing the ride so much, but it would ha
been such happy surprise to her. Y
know | have not been home for fo
weeks. | can't afford to go but once
I month. And mother is so poorly, to-
f We'll. | will have to wait till Saturd
r evening, and 60 in the cars.
$ Would it be too late to start at twel
or say ten o'clock? | will help you
the dress, Gertie," her friend said.
n 20, yes. If we should start at tt
: we should not get home before two, a
5 it would not be worth while to STAY OF
an hour or SO. And Miss Crane wou
manage some way to stop my going "
: = if could get the dress done in an bo
It | wonder how | will let Harry kno,
W | cannot don't like to go in to t
g him. Katy, you would not mind dol
;, it for me? You always turn this corn
Go in the side door, and | will 90 o
so Miss Crane won t know any more ii
: now. She is on the watch up at
S window. | am sure, said Gertie. To-
he ing up.
= Sure enough, Miss Crane was the
10 Katy promised to do as her frit
rs wished, and SO they parted.