The Weston Democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1875-current, 1876-05-15

And thus they parted.
-
"Going ont Of town, Miss Mabel
and so early this season II
The pretty lady's maid stood aghas
in her occupation OF putting away til,
laces in satin lined box Of veined san
dial wood.
eyes. Get my trunks ready, Mil
dred."
"And when do We start, miss?"
i will not take you with me, Mil
dred."
"Not take me, Miss Mabel And
who is to arrange your hair and take
care OF your dresses 7"
81, myself"
"But, Miss Mabel
"I choose to go alone, Mildred" slid
the young lady, little imperatively.
"Take away the silks and grenadines;
shall only require the muslins and ono
or two light wrappers.
"Miss Mabelp exclaimed the sur
prised lady's maid, holding up both
hands in hopeless bewilderment,
"where can you be going?"
"To seek my fate, Mildied," said
Mabel, in tone TINT was n curious in.
termingling Of Jest and earnest. "Thero
now leave me to myself"
=.
Mrs. Beckford, Of Beckfordville Villa,
at Richmond, was sitting alone in her
comfortable parlor-musing on her far
of son, with total abstraction from all
outward sights and sounds-and when
nil OF sudden she looked up, pretty
young person, clad in quietstylc, stood
before her.
"What is itl" said Mrs. Beckford,
somewhat curtly.
al you please, madam, I am anxious
to come as companion"
"Who sent your" demanded tho
lady, surveying the large blue eyes and
golden bands OF smoothly brushed hair
rather distrustfully.
"I learnt from lady OF your acquain-
tance that you wished companion, and
I should like to take tho situation"
"Hum.m-m," said the old lady.
"What's your name I"
edith Moore"
"Moore-Moore2 Got any relations
in town-ah! at Bayswater, I meant"
demanded the inquisitress, sharply.
"No, ma'am. I am alone in tho
world"
"I'm glad OF TINT" murmured Mrs.
Deckford. az couldn't stand any one
belonging to the guitar playing girl who
but never mind that just now. What
are your references
Edith Moore drew q letter or two from
her travelling bag.
$50 Mrs. Carter, Of Clapham, knows
you, eh ?"
"Yes, ma'am."
"Well," commented the matron,
glancing over the notes, "these recon-.
mendations seem very satisfactory-1
don't know-but that you may come
and stay. The only objection can soe
is that you're too pretty, and I don't
think You arc really to blame for that.
Take Of your things"
And the roses that glowedinto Edith's
cheeks at this very plain expression Of
the old lady's sentiments did not make
her any tho less lovely as she united the
blue bonnet strings, and laid aside tho
neat but simple shawl, to enter upon
her probation.
More than year had crept over tho
daily current Of life at Bcckiordville.
The trees we're bare and leafess, the
snow lay white and deep in all the hol-
lows and dimples by the roadside, and a
sharp December wind was sweeping
along the Thames, as the sun glowed
with momentary redness, ere it sunk
down out Of sight.
"How soon it grows darkl" said Mrs.
Beckiord, with a little sigh. That's
right, Edith-draw the curtains; now
we're comfortablel" |"
Comfortable, indeed, they were, with
the shaded lamp glowing softly on the
table, and the bright fire on the hearth,
while Mrs. Beckford's spectacle glasses
shone like twin orbs Of flame, and her
knitting needles glittered resronsively.
Edith was sitting opposite to her,
fashioniug narrow white ribbon into
bows for the old lady's new winter caps.
She looked wonderfully pretty in dress
of sober blue merino, with blue ribbon
tangled somewhere in the braids OF her
FURNISHED hair, while the delicate color
on her cheek was like tho inside OF q
pink shell. .,,
ago about going back to London, my
dear I" said tho old lady. suddenly turn
lug round to Edith. ~ just want You
to understand that you can't go. l cant
spare you."
She put one arm round Edith's neck,
and drew the round cheek down on her
lap.
iordr asked the girl, earnestly.
"Lovo you, darling = I could no more
get on without you than l could without
the sunshine. 1t seems as though You
belong TO mo. I don't know what you'v 've
done to steal my old heart away. I'm
sure," went on Mrs. Beckford, musing.
ly; "but you remind me somehow Of
the little daughter I once lost. You
won't leave me, Edith, dear 7"
There was something almost pathetic
in hor pleading voice, rs she touched
her withered lips to tho pure forehead
Of the beautiful girl.
"You'll stay and be daughter to me
in nv old agG, Edith! What should l
do without the little feet that trip SO
lightly about the house, and tho hands
tliat are forever busy in my behalfi Tell
me you will stay, Edith !"
"Dearest Mrs. Beckford, whispered
Filth, with the happy crimson dyeing
her check, "I'll never leave you; will