The New Orleans Democrat., 1876-04-30


"Going out of town, Miss Mabel' and
SO early this seasonl"
The pretty lady's maid stood aghast
IN her occupation OF putting away 1ne
laces In a satin-lined box OF velned
sandal wood. ,, ;.
"And when do we start. inissf'
IL shall not take you with me, Mil
mot take me, Miss Mabel2 Aud who
ia to arrange your hair and take care Of
your dressesf
II, myself.
but. Miss Mabel -"
II choose to go alone, Mildred" said
the young lady a little imperatively.
Take away the silks and grenadines;
| shall only require the muslins and
one or two light wrappers.
Miss Mabel" exclaimed the sur
priscd lady's maid, holding. up both
hands IN hopeless bewilderment,
"where can you be going?"
''To seek my fate. Mildred" said
Mabel, in u tone that was q curious in
termingling or Jest and earnest,
"There.now leave me to myself" :.
Mrs. Beckford, of Beckfordville villa,
at Richmond. was sitting alone in her
tnItlIOIlunth i'ul ltt wv h't
off son. with u total abstraction from all
outward sights aud sounds-apd when
all of sudden she looked up, n pretty
Young person, clad In u quiet style, stood
before her.
"What il itp" said Mrs. Beckford,
somewhat curt)y,
"If you please, madam, | am anxious
to come rs II companion"
"Who sent youp" demanded the lady,
surveying the large blue eyes and
golden bands OF smoothly brushed hair
rather distrustfully.
II learnt from lady Of your ac-
uuaintance that YOU wished II compan-
| ion. and ! should like to take the situa-
"Hum m-m," said the old lady.
! whats your name
Edith Moore"
| Moore Moorep Got any relations
In town--ah at Bayswater. | mean =
demanded the inQuisitrcss, sharply.
mo. ma'am. am alone III the
world"
Pm glad of that" murmured Mrs:
Beckford soto roce. II couldn't stand
any one belonging to the guitar-nlaylng
girl who but never mind that just now.
What are your references 2
Edith Moore drew letter or two
from her travelling bag,
$50 Mrs. Carter, OF Clapham. knows
you, eh 2"
"Yes. ma'am.
"Wcll,' commented the matron,
ylancing over the notes, these recon-
! meudations seem very sa isfactory-i
don't know but that you may come
and stay. The only objection can see
Is that you're too pretty. and l don
think you are really to blame for .hat.
Take off your things. F"
All the roses that glowed into Edith s
checks at this very plain expression OIL
the old lady's sentiments did not make
her any the less lovclyas she united the
blue bonnet strings, and laid aside the
neat but simple shawl, TO enter upon
her probation.
More than a year had crept over the
daily current OF life at Beckfordville
The trees were bare and leaiiess, the
snow Law white and deep in all the hol-
lows and dimplcs by the roadside. and Il
sharp December wind was sweeping
along the Thames, ms the sun .glowed
with momentary redness, ere 1t sank
down out Of sight.
"How soon Il grows dark T" said Mrs.
Beckford. with a little sigh. THAT 5
right, Edith-draw the curtains; now
we're comfortable!
| lDtlIOTlHblt, lUdt1b. thIt N'A's ''N
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 ~ flame, and hcI
knitting needles glittercd responsively
Edith was sitting opposite to her,
fashiuning narrow white ribbon INTO
bows for the old lady's new winter caps.
She looked wonderfully pretty in dress
Of sober blue mcrino, with q blue rlbnou
tangled somewhere in the bralds OF her
Furnished hair, while the delicate color
on her cheek was like the inside OF q
pink she'll. I,
whats that you were saying a while
nro about going back to London, my
dear ?" said the old lady, suddenly turn
Ing ound TO Edith. II just want YOU e
understand that you can't 60. 1 cant
spare you"
She put one arm round Edith's neck,
and drew the round cheek down on hei
lap; - u. 49, pao,,
ford ?" asked the girl, earnestly.
Love you, darling? could no more
get on without you than l could without
the sunshine. 1t seems as though you
belong to me. don't know what you'v,
done to steal my old heart away, I'm
sure" went on Mrs. Blackford, musing
": .'but you remind me somehow OF tht
little daughter l once lost. You won
leave me. Edith. dear ?" :
There was something almost pathetic
in her pleading voice. as she touched
her withercd lips to the pure forehead
OF the beautiful girl.
"You'ii stay ana be daughter 10 m'
in my old age, Edith What should d'
without the little feet that trip so lightly
about the house. and the hands that arr
forever busy in my behalf ? Tell me yos
will stay. Edith
dearest Mrs Beckford," whispered
Edith, with the happy crimson dyeint
her cheek, I'm never leave you; VII
stay with you always. Oh. am so glat
YOU have learned TO love me-mort
glad than / can tell You. But, Mrs
Beck ford
We'll, dear 2"
"Theres something l want to tel
you-something | have kept back from