The Grange advance., 1876-02-23
DEB.
BY ELIZABETH STUART PHELPS.

BY ELIZABETH STUART PHELPS.
The solemn Androscoggin bell was ring.
ing the mill girls in by broad sunlight one
noon, when there came knock at the door
and behind it the young lady of whom l
heard. Deb was startled by the knock,
and frightened by the young lady. It
was not often that visitors came to Brick
alley, and it was still less often that Brick
alley had visitor that knocked.
This was young lady for whom Deb S
mother did fine washing. Deb's mother
wiped her hands and placed chair, and
the young lady sat down. She was u
straight lady, with strong feet, and long
brown feathers IN her hat, and soft brown
gloves upon her hands. She had came,
she said, with that Cluny set, she found
she should need for party that very
night; indeed, she was in so much haste
for it that she had hunted Deb's
mother up-which wasa matter of some
.diffiiculty-as she never had the least
idea where she lived before, and
how crooked the steps were! But
the lace was very yellow, as she saw, and
"VOAu SA0 " SuIV W uaVC ~ uOu0 ~ b
o'clock tonight? and
And then turning her head suddenly,
the straight young lady saw poor crook
ed Deb in her high chair, with wonder in
her eyes.
Il wonder if l frightened her," thought
Deb, but she only wondered, and did not
speak.
sis this your-''
''Yes,' said Deb's mother, ''the eldest.
Fifteen. I'll try my best, ma am; but
don't know as ought to promise" She
spoke in business.llke tone, and turned
Cluuy lace-a dainty collar and pair
of soft cuffs-about in her hands in a
business.like way. A breath Of some
kind Of scented wood struck in a little
gust against Deb's face. She wondered
how people could weave sweet smells into
piece Of lace, and if the young lady
knew; or If she knew how much pleasant
.er it was than the onions that Mrs. Nc
Mahoney cooked for dinner every day in
the week but Sunday, upon the first floor.
But it gave her quite enough to do to
wonder without speaking.
"Fifteen3'' repeated the young lady
Standing up very straight, and looking
very serry. ''How long has she been
like-that?"
''Born so," said Deb's mother; 'tshe' s
just sat in that chair ever since she has
been big enough to sit at all. Would
you try gum on these Miss!''
but you never told me you had a
crippled child!''
The young lady said this quickly.
"You have washed for me three years,
and you never told me you had crippled
child!''
'You never asked me, Miss said Deb's
mother.
The young lady made no reply. She
came and sat down on the edge Of Deb's
bed, close beside Deb's chair. She seem.
ed to have forgotten her Cluny lace. She
took Deb's hand up between. her two soft,
brown gloves, and her long, brown feath.
~ers dropped and touched Deb's cheek,
the gloves, and the sweet smells of scent.
ed wood. and the young lady's sorry eyes
such very sorry eyes!-were SO close to
the highlchair.
"Fifteen years!'' repeated the young
lady, very slow, ''in that chair-that no.
body ever-poor little girl! But you
could ride" said she suddenly.
Il don't know ma 'am," said Deb. IL
never saw any ybody ride but the grocer
and the baker. amt like the grocer
and the baker"
"You could be lifted, I mean.' said the
young lady, eagerly. "There is somebody
who lifts you?'
Mother sets me, generally said Deb.
,"Once when mother was very bad with q
lame ankle. Jim McMahoney set me. He's
first floor, Jim McMohney.''
II shall be back here," said the young
lady, still speaking very quickly, but
speaking to Deb's mother now. ''In just
an hour shall come in an easy sleigh,
with warm robes. If you will have your
daughter ready to take a ride with me,
shall be very much obliged to you."
The young lady had finished her sen.
tence as if she did not know what to say
and so said the truest thing she could
think of, which is what we are all in
danger Of doing at times.
'WelI, I'm sure!' said Deb's mother
.''Dabitra tell the lady"
But Dabitra could not tell the lady, 70,
she was already out Of the door, and
stairs, and away into the street. And in
deed, Deb could not have told the lady
has never told the lady y-can never tel
the lady.