Weekly Trinity journal., 1873-09-27

| Indignantly at the suggestion of suspi'
cion.
"Tell him anything extravagant. On
ly signify that have changed my mind
at last, that have broken with my hus-
band, that"
A sudden fire flashed into Elsie's eyes
" For what does this woman mistake
me?" she asked herself.
Madam" said she aloud quite stern
ly, "if you are n married lady, | cannot
assist you. You must know you are do
ing wrong.
The stranger looked aghast for mo-
ment, then murmured, in subdued
voice:
:" 1t may be that | Am wrong, but my
husband has driven me to it. Do not rea-
son with me have gone too far to sc
back. l have left his roof"
Some fitting expression on the girlisl
face before her touched Elsie's wrath
with pity, and all her woman's soul rose
up within her with desire to save this
fair young creature from the downward
path she was going. The dainty gloved
hands were lingering the crisp notes again
and the tears started to the poor widows
eyes at the thought of her bittor disap-
pointment, but she stretched out her
hand as though they were hateful to her
sight.
Put them away" she said, 81 do
not know what provocation you may
have but it is against my principles to
help you in any way. You are very
young can see, and inexperienced. Let
one who knows more of life than you do
counsel you to think before taking n fatal
step. Could you not be rcconciled?"
Never. He has insulted me beyond
forgiveness"
"And the othor gcntlcman," Elsie
hcsitated, but the consciousness of her
good intentions gave her courage to pro-
coed" you surely have not allowed him
to engage your affections while"
The younger woman fairly gasped.--
ment, Hero was poor woman, whom
she had been about to benefit by her off
ers of employment, dospising those offers
and searching her hearts secrets, yet
something in the manner of the quiet lit
tie widow compelled her respect and con-
fldence.
e., Ia
said, with quiver Of her lips, but
what is n poor woman to do when her
natural protector turns against herP And
he adores me-"
4" 1t is a very poor love, let me assure
YOU" said Elsie, that leads man Ia
address wife under any circumstances
a love that will never bring you any
good"
The lady's checks crmsoned, and she
turned to go, with suddenly fallen
| shadow Of shame on her face.
Good morning, madame"
Her hand was on the door, and she
turned and cast furtivc glance at the
room, at the bright-eyed woman and the
pretty child.
will leave you my address," she
said. And folding n card she wrote II
line upon it with pencil.
You might change your mind, orr
She did not finish the sentence, but
turned and went with quick, soft, step,
down the narrow stairs, leaving with
wondering Nanetto the brightness of her
beautiful garments and glossy hair, the
odor Of her perfumes, and words TO be
remembered and reasoned over when the
knowledge Of added years should give
them meaning, to the mother cloud
from the great wicked world, and her
disappointment.
There she sat, in her own little room -
even that was not hers by right-uncon-
sciously holding the card which had been
thrust into her hand and thinking very
bitter thoughts. There was she, true,
honest, upright woman, on the brink OF
starvation.
With every desire to work, with no
hope in life, save to keep her child from
suffering, and bring her up in happiness
and virtue, every avenue seemed closed
and there were selfish women-many a
one had she known, who lived in luxury
and ease without an effort, whose chill.
dreE were little more than toys, whose
husbands were providers of their luxur-
les. There were women, even, she griev.
ed to know, who won their pleasures by
recklcssly forsaking Of all that makes life
dear to such as Elsie.
Yet il is Gods world" the woman
sighed, "and some day | suppose it will
all be right"
Then she fell to wondering what her
visitors story might have been.
What dreadful fate is before her
! / wonder If there is not some mistake,
some Misunderstanding. / wish l knew
her husband, would go to him, and see
if | could set it right. She is such sill
ly little creature, and am almost sure
she loves him"
Mother, I'm hungry" fretted Nan
cite.
Iudeed, you must be, poor child,
said Elsie, mournfully, and it seemed tc
her as il great black veil had fallen
from heaven upon her spirit.
| Nanette had never before been hungry
when there was no promise of money,
and not SO much as crumb Of bread to
give her.
"God help u.s." moaned Elsie pitiful-
ly, and two grea. tears oyerfowed her