The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1877-10-13


she desires to of the pictures"
"In that case" returned the doctor.
81 must try and give you my counte.
nance, and will certainly be present if l
can shirk my sick folks for few hours. "
NOW that is kind, Morton, and hope
you will" said his sister, looking really
gratiied. You might help us very
much in the groupings"
If you will permit me, Bessie" he
said as he rose from the table, 81 would
recommend that you do not overdo the
Biblical portion of your entertainment.
A dash or two from Dickens would
tighten up your evening wonderfully"
A suggestion from her brother amount
ed to law with Mrs. Marsh, and she re-
solved forthwith to prepare at least two
or three pictures from the beloved author.
Stitching away merrily at the aprons
and petticoats, Cora could not help
thinking how handsome, easy and
goodtempered the brother of her
patroness seemed to be, how quiet and
assured always in his manners and
how entirely free from stupidity and af.
fectation. He never seemed to see the
immense difference which existed between
her shabbiness and the trim perfection
of his sisters friend, and accorded to the
seamstress the same gallant Difference
which he offered to the lady of leisure.
He had lounged about the sitting-room
rather frequently of late, and somehow
it did not seem strange to Cora that aft
ernoon, when she looked up from resetting
the needle, to find the doctors handsome
face attentively contemplating her from
the other side of the machine. She had
ensconced herself in the far corner of the
room by the window, and with her ma
chine in front and the piled-up work
table at her side was really quite sur
rounded.
Her visitor, regarding the position of
things with an amused face, said: Don't
you find the sewing machine a bore,
sometimes, Miss Waylie?"
mo, l do not, DR.. Clay" was the
prompt reply. 81 find it a very sub
stantisl barrier between me and-some-
thing l should not like at all"
The doctor looked deprecatingly at his
own reflection in the mirror. =" Are you
quite certain that you would not like it,"
he asked, quietly.
Cora's color deepened. 81 am certain
that l should not like cold, or hunger, or
dependence, and that l should be liable
to all three if it were not for the money
l earn by means of the machine"
And does it never separate you from
anything desirable or pleasant, do you
Think" he asked, thoughtfully studying
over the pattern of bit of calico he
held in his hand.
81 think not, sir" was the firm an
swer, from anything which would be
safe, as well as pleasant"
" Perhaps" continued the doctor,
you believe that all your good things
will come round, or over, the machine?"
Cora's lips took on saucy smile, though
she would not look up. 81 dare say, if
they are worth having, the machine will
not prevent them"
See how mistaken you may be. l am
fair elocutionist, and propose to treat
you to a scene or two from the Mer-
chant of Venice but 1 can't possibly
read while you are making such a clat-
| ter"
THANK you very much, DR.. Clay, but
you forget that your sister pays me to
work for her, and that could not listen
to you without misusing the time she has
purchased"
Then you refuse my generous offer?"
asked the gentleman with pretended dis
gust.
81 should think you more generous if
you didn't tempt me to do what you know
is unfair" was the defiant response, and
Cora stitched rapidly down a thick seam
as she suggested: "Miss Sauls would
like to hear you, no doubt, so you need
not lack listener"
"Thank you," said the doctor, re-
suming his hat, " but Miss Sauls objects
to Shakespeare, and | do not adore the
Catechism, so / shall seek consolation
amongst my patients. Adieu, Miss
Waylie; next time | make you an offer
hope you will at least consider it," and
he smiled meaningly over his shoulder at
Cora's blushing face as he left the room.
On his way down stairs he murmured
something like this: brave, proud and
pure; not ashamed of her work or her
poverty, and not to be hired to shirk
either"
Cora, working with undated energy,
wondered, as she mentally contrasted
him with Nat Hazelton, how she could
ever have fancied herself in love with
shat boy" and devoutly hoped she
should not be silly enough to care about
man so far removed from her by social
position, and who in all probability never
thought about her at all.
The long, hot summer was waning
Mrs. Marsh had been out of town for
three months and Cora seldom saw her
brother.
Hetty had gone for few weeks of rest
and change to visit friend in the coun-
try, thus leaving the burden of keeping
their home rather unfairly upon the
shoulders of her sister.
Mrs. Waylie had been ailing through
the hot weather, and what with the extra
drain from this source, and the inevita-
BILE slackness of work in summer, Cora
found herself growing shabbier every
day, with no possibility of improvement.
To keep the home comfortable and avoid
debt was all she could possibly do.
One day as she was returning hurriedly
from some tri1ing errand she came face
to face with DR.. Clay at the street corner
He observed with regret her careworn
face, but said, cheerfully: GOOD morn
ing, Miss Wayle? am glad to have met