Bradford opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1874-1881, 1876-04-29
MILLYS FALSEH00D.
THE REASON WHY SHE TOLD IT.

- can . 6CanQ IL any lOnger-1 can {
I'd rather sweep the streets for living.
Oh, father! oh, mother do you know
how your poor child is treated, or can't
you feel any trouble in heaven
Milly sobbed violently for a few mo.
ments, then raised her head resolutely,
and dried her tears.
"Crying does no good. must think
what can do. won't be dependent
on these horrible people any longer.
But how shall l earn my living9 l can t
teach--can't even sew decently. All they
have taught me is to drudge at house
work. I may thank myself for anything
else have learned"
She considered a moment; then said,
in determined voice "I'u do it-I'll
go out as housemaid. False pride shan t
stop me. What am now9-only I don t
earn anything, as 1 would in place.
Oh, mother !"-with sudden revulsion
of feeling-"if you had known I would
come to this !"
Tears rolled down her cheeks again,
poor girl. She was scarcely seventeen,
a child in many ways as yet. But the
little thing had resolute spirit of her
own, and in another moment she was on
her knees before all old chest, looking
hurriedly over very scanty wardrobe.
"Poor aud plain enough" she mused,
aloud. ~ think, with all her wealth.
Aunt Peters might have afforded to
dress her orphan niece little decently.
But she wanted all the finery for her
four lovely daughters"
Milly's lip curled as spoke; her natur-
ally sweet temper had become somewhat
imbittered during the last ten years.
But her look softened again, as she took
from q secret corner gold chain rather
old fashioned in style. 1t was her moth
er's gift. She pressed it passionately to
her lips.
elbow can part with it?" she sobbed
out. "Oh, mother. dear, forgive me I!
It's all | can do"
"Another girl to see me9-oh, dear!
Very we'll, Jane; I'll be down directly"
Mrs. Young rose from her comfort
able lounge with gesture of weary i'm
patience. She was woman of about
forty, plump and rosy checked, with the
look of one who would fain take the
world easy il it would only let her. But
q very unpleasant frown wrinkled her
forehead just now.
"Dear, dear now must 60 down
again to be questioned by one of those
high flown minxes who want every
thing 'first-class except their own
work. Or maybe it's a creature like the
last, in dirty dress and white lace
bonnet If it is, I'll send her packing
very quick"
She went down stairs to the dining
room, looking as grim as you please.
No wonder the timid young girl waiting
there felt her heart sink within her.
"Keep up your heart, DEAR" whis-
pered kind woman beside her. "Re-
member you've got me to back you
now."
But Mrs. Young's face had softened
already. Such fresh, sweet, modest
girl She looked trim as daisy in her
gingham dress and neat straw hat.
Surely here was the treasure she had
sought SO long.
"You have seen my advertisement 2"
she asked, graciously.
"Yes, ma'am," said Milly's compan-
ion, answering for her. "This is my
niece, ma'am, just come up from the
country. I would like to find place
for her."
Milly blushed more painfully than
before. Deceit was so foreign to her
nature! Never had she felt so abased
in her own eyes. Poor child, how she
must have suffered, to make Mrs. Kel-
ly, coming to her rescue with this false
hood, seem like an angel of relief
81 suppose you can give me good
references, Mrs. Kellya" said Mrs.
Young, after asking few questions as
to age, capability, etc.
Indeed I can, ma'am," said Mrs.
Kelly, confidently. "There are many
families I've worked for will be glad to
speak good word for me, I'm sure"
Milly, or Maggie, as she now called
herself, was engaged, on condition the
references proved satisfactory; and
promising to return that night, sho left
the house with her "aunt."
"You're in luck, Maggie DEAR" said
Mrs. Kelly, as they went down the
street together. "She seems a very
nice lady, and twelve dollars is good
beginning for girl like you"
"Oh, Tom, I am so perplexed and
troubled /! She really never took
such comfort in girl before. So neat
and quick about her work, and 80 sweet
tempered and obliging 1 felt -
well. aunty, why need you worry
SO : Just take the comfort of her. 1t
may be all right"
Z" All rightl How can you talk so
And what comfort can take in q person
I suspect of being an impostor All