Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1874-04-30


starving absolutement starving cried
Madame DAubri, with tlutterlng
motion of her fiexile fingers. "But
it should be sent for Immediately, the
robe of sole girls and it was the last,
the very last time that dress should
ever be allowed to go out Of the
establishment"
"Neyer mind, madame" said Miss
Fisher, goodman oredly ''it is really
matter of no great moment. For
tunately, I have other dresses, so you
need not hurry
And she re-entcred her carriage, fol-
lowed by Madame apologlzins all
the way.
Gertrude had nearly reached her
home, when she pulled the check
string, and told the driver to 60 back
to Madame D'Aubri's.
II suppose it is foolish" she thought
within herself, "but I cant help think
ing of that poor seamstress with her
sick husband"
Madame D'Aubri was astonished by
the second appearance of Miss Fisher.
"The address / will obtain it Of
Miss Bliss" she said, ''if you will
kindly wait
Presently she came, rustling behind
the counter, with a bit of paper, which
she gave to Gertrude with low curt
sey. Gertrude glanced at it.
"a bad neishborhood, | should
Judge she remarked, casually.
"Oh, opproblous, indeed !" assented
Madame, who was little uncertain in
the use of English adjectives.
Gertrude gave the paper to her
coachman, with directions to him to
proceed directly thither.
1t was nearly dark, when she reach
ed the number indicated-a melan-
cholly looking house, in a miserable
neighborhood.
Fourth floor, back room" said an
old woman on tho ground floor: and
and gathering her silken skirts closely
around her, Miss Fisher mounted the
steep stairs, where, to Judge from ap-
pearances, brooms and soapsud were
alike ignored.
She knocked softly at the door OF
the room indicated A holow-eyed
little child, ,sscantily dressed. opened it
just far enough topeep through. Ger
trude could see the murky glimmer OF
lamp on the table, and the sullen
glow of an insufficient fire in miser-
able CRATE. IThe room was small, and
exceedingly close, and bore the aspect
of the wretchedest poverty.
Il have come here, in search Of d
seamstress. who works for Madame
Celeste D'Aburi,' said Gertrude,
Mammal! said the little child,
doubtfully; but she opened the door
a fraction wider, and Gertrude en-
tered.
A woman was sewing on the iden-
tical robe de sore girls with intent eyes
and flying fingers, A man stretched
motionless on the bed, with q sheet
pulled up over his face.
"You are in trouble" )" said Gertrude,
gently, trying to accustom her eyes to
the dim, uncertain light.
The woman made fretful motion
of her elbow, but never looked up.
"Don't disturb mel" she said, pet
ulantly. 81 am free at last ; but |
can't bury him until I've done this
work, and got the money"
"Cecile! Cecile Moore!'
The woman looked'up, at length,
pushing buck the faxen hair, that
hung in wild disorder over her eyes.
"NVho is it that knows me by my
old name ?" she demanded.
81 am your cousin Gertrude!" re
piled her kind visitor
There was something in her voice
and manner that made Cecile drop hel
work, and arise hurridly to her feet.
The next moment she was sobblng
convuIsively in Ge,tru,le's gentle
arms.
"Oh Gertrude! she walled, 81
wronged you cruelty, but | was cru
ely punished. If you but knew how
miserable, how poverty-stric cken | have
been And he,'-with shudder-
che beat me, and drank, and gambled
and squanderedmy .wretched' earnings
but he is dead, now thank he 'aven, he
is dead !" ...
s:When did he die 2" aske d Ger
trude, inexpressibly shocked"
"Half an hour ago"
Gertrude went to the side OF thu
| - A. t,n~ nf bo