Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1879-06-13

last, towards morning, the remembrance
Of words had often heard came TO ME
with calm sense of repose, trust, and
restfulnesS. and | believe fell asleep at
last with smile upon my lips, repeat
ing u portion OF that comforting sen.
tence ending, !" Are We not much better
than they
1t was a bright, sunshiny morning
when awo&e to hear some enc knock.
ing at my door; and hurrying on few
things, answer Sd.
All. | was just a-going TO take EN-
down again, said my landladv harshly.
Some folks can afford to lie III bed all
day; can't. Here's two letters for
you. And mind this, Miss Louri;
never bargained to come tramping up
to the top of the house with letters and
messages for you"
I'm very much obliged, Mrs. Rud-
dock" said gently, rs | took the let.
tiers with trembling hands, while, NUT
tering and complaining, their bearer
went down stairs. 1t seemed very hard
then, but believe it was the woman'S
habit, and that She was not bad at
heart, but warped and cankered by
poverty, hard-work, and ill-usagc from
drunken husband, whom she entirely
kept.
One letter saw at glance was from
Minna, the other was i'll strange crab
bed hand; and longed to read them;
but exercising my self-denial. | dressed,
lit my fire, and prepared my frugal
breakfast before setting down and de
vouring Minna's news.
What right had to murmur as did
last night, | asked myself, when she was
evidently so happy and contented +? and
then | opened, with tluttering hand,
the other letter. and was puzzled by it
at first; but at last / recalled the fact
that three weeks before l had answered
an advertisement in the Times where Il
lady wanted companion.
The note was very briet and curt,
and ran as follows
IF Miss Laurie is not engaged, she
can call upon Mrs. Langton Porter, II
Morton street, Park Village South, at
eleven O'clock, to-morrow-Thursday"
" At last" | said to myself joyfully;
and with beating heart prepared my
self for my journey, for the appoint
ment was for that morning.
Just as had pretty well timed my
self for my walk, a sudden squat came
on, the sky was darkened, snow fell
heavily, and in place of morning in
spring we seemed to have gone back
into winter, for the snow lay thickly in
very short time, and the branches Of
the trees were whitened.
Weak as / was, this disheartened me,
but | fought my way bravely on, and
just at eleven rang timidly at the door
of an important-looking house. and was
superciliously shown, 10y IL stout, tall
footman in drab livery, into a hand
somely furnished room. Everything in
the place was rich and good; heavy
curtains hung by window and door;
skins and Eastern rugs lay on the pol
ished wood floor; and tremendous fire
blazed in great brass fireplace, and
the flames danced and were reflected
from the encaustic tiles with which it
was surrounded.
"Ill take your note in, said the foot
man, as l handed it. "lou can sit
down."
| preferred to stand, and rs soon rs /
was alone | shivered with fear and cold,
as caught glance of my pale, sallow
face in great mirror. Every moment
| expected to see the owner Of the
place, but remained standing YEARLY
for an hour, and then | sighed and
turned wistfully to look at the door,
wondering whether the footman had
taken in the note which | had given
him rs my passport.
/ started, for close behind me, having
entered unheard, was rather plump,
tall lady in black. She was dressed as
if for going out, and well wrapped in
furs.
"0hl you are waiting" she said,
harshly; and shade OF displeasure
crossed her face as she looked full at me
till my eyes dropped. There, Miss
Miss Miss"
Laurie" / suggested.
Eyes, yes; know" she said sharply;
''it is in my note. Pray, why in the
name of common sense did you not sit
down? Take that chair. Now, then,
have you been companion to a lady
before?'
"No, ma am" replied; and then in
answer to her questions, all very sharp
" given, / told her SO much as was ne
cessary of my story.
Il don't think you will suit me" she
said; "I'ye had misery enough, and /
want some one cheerful and pleasant, a
lady whom ! can trust, and who will be
a pleasant companion. There, I'm sure
there is not such body in London, for
the way I've been imposed upon is
dreadful! I've had six in six months,
and the number Of applications | have
had nearly drove me out of my senses.
I've had one since you wrote to me-d
creature whose sole idea was herself. i
want one who will make he her first
consideration. don't mind what pay,
but / want some one tall and lady-like;
and you are not pretty, you know"
shook my head sadly.
"Humphl Well" she went on, d" you
won't be SO giddy, and be always think
ing of getting married. There, you
need not blush like that; it's what all
the companions ! have had seem to
think about. You don't, SUPPOSE
q a M eY,oa God IN ba married | said