Weekly Trinity journal., 1878-09-07

One letter saw NJ glance WAS rom
Minna, the other was in strange crab
bed hand and longed to read them
but exercising nay self denial, I dressed,
lit my fire, and prepared my ver- frugal
breakfast before sitting down and devour-
ing Minnas news.
What right had I to murmur as did
last night, when she was evidently SO
happy and contented and then opened
with futtering hand the other letter, and
was puzzled by it at FIRST; but at last
recalled the fact that three wesks before
] had an advertisement in the Timet
where lady wanted companion.
The note was very brief and curt, and
ran rs follows:
"If Miss Laurie is not engaged. she
can call upon Mrs. Langton Porter, Al
Morton street, Park Village South. a
eleven o'clock to- morrow Thursday"
"At last I" I said to myself joyfully
and with beating heart prepared mysel
for my journey, for the appointment wa
for that morning.
Just as ] had pretty well timed myssi
for my walk. sudden squsll came on
the sky was darkensd, snow fell heavily
and in place Of morning in Spring WI
seemed to have gone back into Winter
for the snow lay thickly in very shor
time, and the branches of the trees in tn,
square were whitened.
Weak as / was, this disheartened me
but fought my way brsvely on, and
just AZ eleven rang timidly st the door o
All important locking house, and was su
percihously shown. by stout, tall foot
man in drab livery. into r handsomely
furnished room. Everything in the plac'
noticed was rich and good heavy cur.
tains hung by the windows and doors
skins and Eastern rugs lay on tho polish
ed wood floor and tremendous fir,
blazed in great brass fireplace. and tt'
flames danced and were reflected from
the encaustic tiles with which il was sur
rounded.
"I'll take your note in" said the foot
man, as I hasded 1t. "You can eli
down"
I preferred to stand, and as soon AS ]
WAS alone / shivered with fear and cold
as I caught glance at my pale, sailow
face in great mirrow. Every momes,
| expected to see the owner Of the place
but / remained standing wearly for AZ
hour. ard then | sighed and turad wist
fully to the door. wondering whether th'
fooiman had taken in the note which
had given him rs NV passport.
started. for close behind me. havins
entered unhesrd WAS rather plump
tal! lady in black. She was dressed as i
going out. and well wrapped in furs.
"Oh you are waiting" She said harsh
~, and shade OF displcasurs crossed hel
fnce.
"Thcre. Miss-Miss- %"
"Isurie." I suggested.
"Yes, yes, ] know" she said sharply
'it is in my note. PRAY, why don't yor
sit down? Take that chair. Now then
hnvo yru ever been companion to lady
before ?"
mo ma am" replied and then ir
answer 10 her questions, all very sharply
given, I told her 10 much as was neces
sarv Of nv story.
II don't believe you will suit me-" sh'
said I've had misery enough, and
want some one cheerful and pleasant,
lady whom ! can trust, and who will be
pleasant companion. There, I'm sur,
there is not such a body in London, fo
the way I We been imposed On is dreadfn
I've had six IN six months, and the mum
Der Of applications l have had almos
drove me out of my senses. I've hs'
ane since you wrote to mo, creature
whose sole idea WINS herself. want on,
who will make me her frst consideration
don't mind what pay, hut want SOM
one tall and lady like and you are no
pretty, You know"
I shook my head sadly.
"Humph Well" she went an, eve,
won't be So giddy. and he always think
ing of getting married. There, you neeC
not blush like that ; it's what all th'
companions I have had ss0m TO thinl
about. You don't l suppose 2"
"I am engaged to be married, I said
banging down my head, "in n couple o
years"
"Ho ! Well, he mustn't come here, fol
I'm a very selfish, phlegmatcal old wo
man; and il engage you-which I dom
think I shall do should want you al
to myself. What is he ?"
"A settler-abroad, 1 faltered.
"Ho That's better. and perhaps he'll
settle there altogether without you"
I looked at her Indignantly and SD,
laughed.
"Ah! know, my good girl. I hav'
not lived to see eight-snd forty for moth
ing. How old are you ?"
"Twenty," I said shivsring. for he
rough way repelled me. and longed Il
bring the interview to an end.
"Why, the girls cold" d."she said rough
ly. Him. twenty Here, go up to th'
fire and have good warm it's dreadful
weather. There, pull off your bonns
and jacket. Put them on that chair ant
go closer to tho fire I've deal to say Il
you yet, for Pm not going to engage snl
young person and have to change direct
ly."
obeyed her, trembling the while, 70
! was very weak and she went on ask
ing mo questions and making comments
II don't like your appearance at all
| vou look na1a and unhaalthy Not bi