The interior journal. [volume] (Stanford, Ky.) 1872-1881, 1877-01-19

human cOuntcnnnce, thcy were wv
Ellcn's. From his father he learned
much Of the newcomer, Of the quick
adap,abilay she showed far work evil
IDENTIFY new To- her. &C the almost mas-
culinc brain that fitted her 81 soon to
take control of the loom room where
over hundred girls were at work.
Of her antccctlcuts, he knew ouly
iha, she brought a letter from the
clergyman Of her parish, IN small
town Of New York State. That she
was woman of culture aud refine
ment they could sec Er themselves.
But Walter Rolman, Ivy nature
frank and true, as his heart more and
more Acknowledged Ellen for its
queen, grievel over the evident mys.
terry of her life. While IN her CONVEX
saiion she advanced noble and gener-
Gus vi VS., her whole style Of living
was penurious to an extent rarely seen
in women Of her age, when living upon
much smaller salary than she CON-
mandcd. Itwns not merely economy,
but saving pushed to extremity.
There was n struggle constantly in
the mind of the young clsrk-a
struggle between his love and his fear
Of repentance, IL he urged his suit. IL
was revolving 10 him to think of he
wife conducting his household upon
parsimonious principles, refusing to
bcstow Of his abundance in charity.
dressing meanly, and perhaps inhuer-
cling him to the same miserly habits.
And yet, one hour with Ellen drove
away all such thoughts.
The low. soft voice, always tinged
by her habitual sadness. conveyed such
a mirror of a pure, tender heart, a
cultivated mind, a noble soul, that
Walter forgot the Coarse, mean dress,
the many stories rife in the factory ol
Ellen's stinginess, and knew he loved
her as he had never before loved any
woman.
But when the silver tankard wa
presented to Mr.. Rodman, and Ellen,
name was not upon the list Of contrib
utors to the gift, Walter experienced
a sharp pang Of disappointment. HI
knew that his fathers recommendation
had gained Ellen her first place in tn,
factory, that she had found n firm
friend in him, and owed her rapid ad
vancement TO his interest and innu
cnce. And yet she had refused he
mite to the gifl that testified the gos
feeling OF her fellow workers in tn,
factory!
Father and son had long been conf
DENTAL friends; and on the evening
following the presentation, the latte
opened his heart aud told all his d, ubt
and fears. Mr.. Rodman listenet
quietly.
"Yet you love Ellen ?" hc said.
81 love her." replied Walter, "bu
could never be happy with miserl.
wife,"
"Poor Ellen, how little she deserve
that reproach!" said Mr.. Rpdman
81 shall violate u confidence repose,
in me. Walter, when / tell you hov
you mi;judge her, but think | cal
trust you"
HAS she told you her secret ?"
"No; heard the story from tn
clergyman of Lenwood, her nativ'
village, who wrote to me before sh'
cane here. lie is an old friend o
mine, aud knew he could confde il
me. will tell you what he wrote t.
me. Six years ago Ellen's mothe
died, leaving in her care sickly step
brother, then eleven years old. He
own father had left Ellen u pretty cot
tage, and had small income from tn
fruit and poultry on the place, with
she made a sufficient living by teach
ing music and playing the organ il
the church. When her neither died
leaving Stephen Grady, her step
brother, an orphan and pcnniless (for
her step-father before his death squan
dcred all her mothers liitl, iortune)
Ellen promised to care for the boy
Remember, she was but sixteen her
self, though early care had matured
her far beyond her actual years.
1.-The boy grew up like his father
reckless of expenditure, Loose in prin
ciple, yet tender to his sister.mother
and one of those loving scape-grace'
who always win some good woman
devotion. He won Ellens. Sh,
thought herself bound by her promise
to her mother To make every sacri6c'
for Stephen. and she faithfully tried
to lead him away from the companion
and evil influences that were ruinin,
his life. Three years ago friend o.
Mrs. Grady's took Stephen into biz
counting.room. Here he was to learn
the bookkeeping, aud for time b,
worked steadily. Then the bad com
pany that had ruined his boyhood
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