Middletown transcript., 1876-09-16
darned in more than one place.

"IfI had married Howard Lindsey, !"
she said to herself. ~ could have worn
silks and jewels every day with hired
servants to wait on me, and an elegant
carriage to drive out in whenever I
pleased. Oh, dear, what world of
trouble this is"
And as Mrs Wyngard laid her little
rosy checked infant down to sleep she
felt as if her lot had fallen in very
thorny places.
Just as she had taken her place once
again over the brass kettle in which she
was trying to do up some rocky pound
pears, which neighbor had given her,
there came loud knocking at the door.
Come in," said Lefty. and the
house keeper from Hadfeld Hall, the
big mansion on the hill. came mincing
across the threshold
Lefty busted off chair, in consider
able of fury, for Mrs Ellison was a
grand lady in her way. who wore black
silk and laces, and had her bonnets
direct from New York milliner every
spring and fall.
won't you sit down, Mrs. Ellison 2"
said she, coloring to the roots of her
pretty hair and secretly hoping that
Mrs. Ellison did not observe the patch
on her calico dress.
"Thank you. my dear-I am in a
great hurry" said Mrs Ellison. Il
have some fine laces. and muslins. and
Valenciennes handherchiefs here from
my lady in the Hall The laundress
hasn't come down yet, and she amt
willing to trust the lady's maid with
'em, and they must be ready by dark
and so I told her | knew a person in
the village that was master hand at
laces and futing and such like, and I
depend on you, my dear. to do 'ern up
for me"
"She'll pay you dollar at least"
said Mrs. Ellison "She amt none Of
the stingy sort, my lady amt"
A dollar in Lefty Vineyards eye was
no inconsiderable sum. A dollar would
buy the new shoes that Rosie needed so
sadly-or flannel for the baby's winter
sacks-or half a hundred other neces-
saries which Lefty could think of.
"Yes." said she, '.I'll do it My
preserves will soon be finished Lay
the bundle on the table. please. So the
new family have arrived in the Hall at
last ?"
Mrs. Ellison nodded assent. She had
lived housekeeper with the Hadfelds.
of Hadfeld Hall, for twenty years, and
was sorry enough when the old place
went into other hands. But situation
was situation, SO she had stayed on
YES" said she, ''Mr. and Mrs
Howard Lindsey"
Lefty gave such start that the pre-
serve kettle had nearly tipped over into
the fire.
.'Lindsley ?" cried she, with little
hysterical laugh. "What q funny
name p
Handsome. stylish people, with
more money. to all appearances than
they know what to do with" went on
Mrs Ellison Il just wish you could
see her dresses and jewels! Stephanie,
the French maid, showed me when she
was unpacking 'em. and it's as good as
a play"
Lefty said nothing, but stirred busily
away at the preserves, while the old
house-keeper maundered on about the
wealth and grandeur of the new possess
ors Of Had6eld Hall. And all Of this
might have been hers!
"When shall l send for the laces 2"
Mrs. Ellison finally asked, when she
rose to depart
''I'll take them home myself, about
DUSK" said Lefty, inwardly resolving
to get herself glimpse into this para
disc which had SO nearly been her own
And SO at twilight with the daintily
ironed and futed laces in her basket,
she walked up to Hadfeld Hall.
How stately it looked with its broad
collonnaded facade. all glittering with
lights; its grand conservatory at the
back, where palm leaves and banners
brushed the glass top, and the terraced
grounds! Of, if she had only said Eyes
to Howard Lindsey, just eleven years
ago?
Within everything was in keeping.
Administer carpets, like banks of moss
covered the foor-marble statues stood
in velvet lined inches, lights glowed
softly, and tables loaded With ornaments
stood around.
Hush !'' said Lefty, as Mrs. Eli
son, with some pride, pointed out the
various beauties of the place "What
is that noise like woman crying? In
the next room, l think"
Mrs. Ellison's face clouded over.
ITS Mrs Lindsey, poor DEAR" said
she. "The masters brute He has
been drinking too much-Mademoiselle
Stephanie says be always drinks too
much-and he struck her! Struck her,
and called her whimpering fool before
all of US servants. | never saw a man
strike woman before, and l declare it
made me sick all over. But Stephanie
says it's common thing enough Oh,
my dear, she's wretched in spite of all
her money"
''Has she no children ?" Lefty softly
asked
"She had two, but she lost 'em both.
Mademoiselle Stephanie says she often
cries and wishes she was dead. too
And I don't wonder much, with such
husband as she's got. Hush! there he
comes now"
And shrinking behind carved group
Of Italian marble statuary, the two wo-
men watched Howard Lindsey stalk
gloomily by. with rcd. inAamed eyes,
sullen, down-looking face, and shutting,
unsteady foots.ep.
Silently Lefty Wyngard went home,
thanking God in her heart that she was