Bozeman avant courier. [volume] (Bozeman, Mont.) 1872-1882, 1878-05-16

|
She had been an orphan two years wher
she came seeking Mrs- Wilkinson, as al
ready described. and the SORROWS of he
life had lost some of their bitter sting
leaving only gertle sadness behind.
. "Well, Millie,' the old gentleman said
i. ''what brings me the pleasure of seein.
you to-day?''
"It's about myself.' Mille said, tn,
softest rose-tints flushing her cheeks.
'Dear me F! didn't know you ever tool
such an insignificant person into consider
. alton at all
. 'Now, Uncle Marc, please don't tease,
she said.
'She wants something enormous said
the old gentleman. addressing the walls
Whenever am Uncle Mare, know what
to expect next
But just then the kindly man detected
Signs of trouble in Millie's face; and the
jesting voice was turned at once to one o1
tender gravity.
''Wl,at is it. my child!''
''Cyril Ormsby came to see me last even.
ing. and lie will come here to-day; but
wanted to see you first. He wants me to
be his wife, Uncle Mare. and''-she hcsitat
cd-"you do not like him.
"Who told you that:''
mo one; but see it for myself:''
"Wcll. you are right. do not like him
But my like or dislike has no control over
you"
mo control!" Miles voice pitcous.
'Plcase don't talk SO. came to you as
would have gone to my father"
There. dear, l was wrong. Tell me.
then, as you would have told your father,
do you love Mr.. Ormsby?''
IL think he is the noblest man l ever
knew. If you could see him with some of
my poor people. how gentle and courteous
he is, you would like him, too. lie has
given me SO much sympathy in my work,
Uncle Mare. feeling as do, that the pos
session Of great wealth is but 4 steward
ship"
"And so won your love:"
My respect and admiration, Uncle.
cannot yet realize that man so noble and
SO good can really desire my help and
companionsfiip i'm his life. But, since he
does, am glad and proud to have won his
confidence
"llcm-Yes! Enthusiastic. but heart
WHOLE" was Mr.. Wilkinson's mental COM
ment. Suppose you and 60 for walk" F"
| he added aloud.
"A walk Mile said, in 4 tone of sur
prise.
"Yes. l have friend or two should
Like TO have you see. When we come
back will tell you why l dislike Cyri'
Ormsby, if he added, mentally, ''you
have not already found out"
1t was not exactly such walk as one
woliid have mapped out for gentleman's s
invitation to young, beautiful girl; but
Millic followed its course. leaning upon her
guardians arm, wondering little. but
never hesitating. past the respectable por-
ton Of the city, to quarter known as the
Factory Row." a place where Mr.. Will
kinscn had never before allowed his ward
to 90; for there We're apt to be fevers and
contagious diseases lurking there. 1t lay
low, and was unhealthy. and the houses
were Of the naeancst description.
For noble pIlilanthropist, partly own
ing these factories and this quarter. Mr..
Ormshy seems ncglcctful,' said Mr.. Will
kiAson. dryly. II have an interest in the
factories, as you are aware. but do not own
ere of these wretchcd houses. They are
aN Cyril Ormsby's.
But" Millic said, eagerly, ''these pco-
viii not let him benefit them. They use
his charity for drink: they abuse any priv
ilege he gives them till he is discouraged in
his efforts to do them any good.'
"Oh! step in here!'
II was poor place, scantily furnished
and cheerless. Upon cot-bed, woman
lay, in the last stages Of consumption.
She looked up eagerly to Mr.. Wilk.n-
son.
| Il hope you are BETTER" he said kindly.
mo: shall never be better. Il may
only die In peace, it is all ask
"Mr. Ormsby will not disturb you
now?'
''Jennie has gone to him. Yesterday he
sent word if the rent was not ready to-day
ut twelve, out we must go. I've paid it
regularly for five years, but he don't think
of that. All Jennie made the last month
she's had to pay for fire and food. She's
but fifteen. and her pay is small.'
"What do you owe Cyril Ormsby?'
"rnirty shIfngs."s - -l = --s-
"And ifhe is not paid to-day he will put
you out into the street to die?''
| l. tI,o RI ;.t h. 600
paupers.' aq ,.s l-.a.- .v--a-'
At this moment slim, pale girl Of fifteen
came in, crying bitterly.
..Mr. Wilkinson was out" she began.
and then, seeing her visitors, she cried
eagerly, "Oh! Mr.. Wilkinson! you will
not let mother be put into the street. III
pay every penny, sir, if only you wait till
she is better, and can get nv full time to
work."
"Have you seen Mr.. Ormsby to-day. Jen-
ME - the old gentleman asked.
"Yes, sir; lie said he had no time to hear
my whining. The agent will be here at
twelve, and if the money is not paid, he
will put rs out"
'.May I?'' whispered Millie.
= 'Just as you please, my dear. Perhaps
this dying woman or her child will drink
up your charity
..Hush, hush''
So tendeGiy. 90 delicately, Mile gave her
charity, that there was only deepest graft
| tude awakened without the CALLING sense
of Obligation. She left more than sufficient
for coARf fo tege weeks. aod ppsised
rs send delicacies for the insalid. Fsw
No word ofh9sslf paessdber lips until
/ they were once more in the narrow street.
..Oh! Uncle Marc = she said, .scan It be
true that he Is 30 hard, 90 false to mey'
"Wat,. was the brief reply.