The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1878-08-16

Mr.. Sydney comes often to your room
Effie p
we are green hands, you know. Perhaps
he thinks we may spoil our work. was the
quiet answer.
He is very handsome, Effie p
Yes, very
Unmarried, too, and very rich.
The breakfast bell rang, and Efie went
down stairs, with remark to her companion
OF the lateness of the hour.
WONDER thought Sadie, IF it is Eiie's
| blue eyes or my dark ones that drawsWortb.
ington Sydney to our corner
Theyoung man himself could not have
answered the question. He stood in the
office that overlooked the workroom when
all the looms were busy, looking through the
window, where, unseen himself the overseer
could watch all those employed in it.
You see, he said, to an old lady. very
plainly dressed, who stood beside him, the
two young ladies who are at the third loom
to the right The one with dark eyes is the
music teachers daughter. The one facing
her is Miss Ford
Suppose go in and talk with Them
| If you wish you can do so ; or will send
for them to come here
NO. will go alone. The tall one is very
handsome
Very. She seems strangely out of place
me, here.
Mrs. Sydney crossed the room, pausing to
speak to several of the busy girls, till she
stood by Sadie Desmond's side.
Can you tell me- she said, where can
get a glass of water
1n the corner by the closet, where the
hats hang, was the curt reply.
Eflie looked up at the gray hairs and
said
'Ifyou will take seat for moment will
get it for you. The clock will strike twelve
| ip less than two minutes, land l can leave the
room.'
Thank you, was the reply, as the
old lady took seat on a bench near the
girls.
Can't you find something better to do in
noon hours than to wait on any old woman
who comes imp said Sadie, contemptuous-
ly.
Hush said Effie, with her quick, sensi-
tive flush, she will hear YOU
| But Sadie had noted that the old ladys
dress was of plain black alpaca, and her bon
net of straw, and was disnclined to pay any
attention to anyone dressed in that garb.
| ba al r.
the water, while Sadie took out her lunch
con on the bench, near Mrs. Sydney. The
old lady noticed that Efiie took napkin
from her little basket to polish the dngy
tumbler, and rinsed it carefully, before fl
ling it for her.
You are very kind she said, as she re-
ceved it, Il am tired from walking about
the building
Perhaps you are looking for some one, ,
said Eliie, and / can help you. 1t is cor
fusing to a stranger to find friend here
| No; was not in search of any friend
IF you are looking for a place for your
daughter said Sadie, you will find twenty
applications ahead of you at the Office
is the work heavy? asked the old lady,
turning to Sadie.
TRY it and see was the rude reply. Il
was not brought up to it. Are you going to
walk, Efie?
4 think not Efie said. 4 shall sit here
and rest
Sadie rose and crossed the room for her
hat her tall, graceful figure and arstocratic
face marking her in the group of girls on
the same errand.
Eflie sat down feeling, she scarcely knew
why, that there was rudenness in Sadie's
manner that she must apologize for, by re-
naming with the old lady,
'You do not look strong Mrs. Sydney
said, noting the delicate complexion and
varying color.
Il have not been WELL but | am gaining
strength here, You must not feel discourag-
ed she said gently, by what Sadie said
about getting work here. Ii you have a
friend who wishes place, there are often
vacancies, and the work is not really heavy
| but tiresome. The noise is the worst, aud
one gets accustomed to that
Have you been here long {?
And so from question, Mrs. Sydney drew
forth the simple every day story of orphan.
hood, early struggle with poverty and failing
health, but not one complaint. The two
were talking earnestly in the deserted room
when Mr.. Worthington Sydney came from
the Office to their bench.
We'll, mother he said, after bowing to
Efiie. And the young girl arose, blushing
deeply in her embarrassment
sit down., said Mrs. Sydney, kindly
You see do not want place here for
friend but | have business here, notwith
standing"
And Ellie believed she must be dreaming,
when offered the position of companion to
Mrs, Sydney, at liberal salary and the
promise OF European travel.
"Can you come to me to morrow" the old
lady asked 81 shall need your services in
preparing for my travels"
And before the moon was over Effie was
driving in Mr. Sydney's carriage to her
boarding house, 10 prepare her belongings
for an early start in the morning.
She is lovely, Worthington, said Mrs.
Sydney to her son, as they drove homeward,
'and the voyage will do her good. To think
of her being in factory Why, her moth
er was one of the Marstons, of Providence.
Am supposed to be overpowered !?
laughed the young man.
But really, Worthington, she is of good
family said his mother earnestly. Her
father was Portland Ford. l know the
family. Poverty never appalls me, but l
must confess / shrink from vulgar blood.
Miss Desmond is handsome and sty lish look
ing, but she is not a lady. Miss Ford is a
gentlewoman, as the English say, lady at