The Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Or.) 1862-1899, 1879-12-26

of sixteen years out into the world to be
bread winner for both.
Then came two years of pleasant labor
in young ladies' seminary, where her
proficiency with the needle and pencil
had gained her a position as teacher OF
needlework and drawing But ill-fortune
attended her there, and unjust suspicion
on the part of the principal, and con-
siderable pride. upon her own, deprived
her of that place, and the struggle for
life had ever since been hard one, find
ing her now, at twenty, wearing her life
out, trying to make both ends meet, in a
low attic in the heart of a great city.
The great bell of st. Johns tolled out
the hours as they passed, till twelve, and
one, and two had sounded, and still she
sat there stitching, stitching, the momo-
ries chasing over her face like clouds
and sunshine over the snowy fields, the
white alternately flushing and paling as
thoughts of the evenings encounter oc-
CURED to her. At last, when the last
glow had dieI out of the Goals in the
CRATE, she rose, put up her work, and
looked to see if her mother was asleep.
She found her quiet, evidently sleeping,
and, breathing prayer of Thanksgiving,
she put out the light, and pressing her
cold fingers to her throbbing temples,
and over the hot weary eyelids, sought
her rest.
And in the little side chamber silence
reigned as death. The sick woman lay
as though cut in marble, and as painless,
for indeed there was mo more sickness
there"
The morning sunlight coming through
the uncurtained window crept steadily
along the side wall, and, reaching the
pallet where Muriel was sleeping, fell
broad and full upon her face; the eye
lids stirred and she moved uneasily, and
awaking, sprang hastily up. Surprised
to find it so late, she dressed hurriedly
and went Immediately, as she was wont,
to see if her mother needed anything.
The first sight of the rigid figure upon
the bed made her heart stand still; she
leaned over, touched the cold face with
trembling hands, and without word or
sign fell fainting at the bedside.
Breakfast was just overat DR.. Burton's,
and still the three members that made up
his household fingered in the CHEEKY room
where that meal was generally taken; DR..
Guy Burton sat tilted back in his chair,
taking, with mock humility, a spirited
lecture from his younger sister, Carrie,
who stood at his side, her yellow curls
tossed back from her sunny face, and her
eyes sparkling with mischief, as she laid
down the law to him, emphasizing with
one dainty digit the points of her dis
course upon the rosy members of her
other hand.
Dr. Burton, who was evidently very
much amused at her trade, suddenly
dropped his chair upon its legitimate
number of standing points, and throwing
his arm around her, pulled one of the
escaped ringlets, asking her when she
meant to apply for admission to the bar
as he thought she would make capital
pleader.
Carrie boxed his ears, with 'Now,
Guy Burton, shame on you to upset my
dignity and eloquence in that style. But
honestly, brother darling, you know that
you really ought not to turn out at mid
night just for an old maid who is trou-
bled with nothing on earth but her own
Imagination. There are times enough
when you are really needed, without
your rushing out at all hcursaof the
night to see a person who has humbug-
ged you SO often ss Selma Wilson. IF
You will do these dreadful things we
shall have DR.. Drummond practicing in
your place before long, and I won't have
any brother to pet and tease" said she,
putting her arms coaxingly around his
neck.
DIR. Burton kissed her and said laugh
ingly, s'You might adopt Drummond; he
is younger and better looking than 1 am.
But really this time, pet, something did
all Miss Wilson. saw her father at his
store last evening, and he told me that
she was not at all well having taken cold,
and when was called last night / found
her suffering from a severe attack of
pneumo o1ila.
Carrie looked sober at this announce
ment, and the elder sister, Mrs. Cary,
who had been listening with an amused
countenance to the conversation Of the
others, now asked if she had better not
call at the Wilson's while she was out that
morning. DIR. Burton assured them that
Mrs. Wilson would be glad to see them.
and rising said sshe must be about his
business, or his patients would be getting
we'll without him."
Mrs. Cary and Carrie concluded upon
a shopping expedition and visit to the
dressmaker, SO all three left the break
fast-room together.
Death had robbed the three of both
parents; the mother died when Carrie
was but an infant, and the father, DIR.
Samuel Burton, had died five years be-
fore our story opens, leaving to the three
a comfortable fortune, and to Guy, who
had followed in his footsteps as a success
full physician, large practice. Annie,
the elder daughter, had married one year
after her fathers death, but losing her
husband the same year, she came back to
the old home to preside oversher BROTH
er's household.
The ladies donned their street dresses
and were soon ready for their mornings
expedition. DR.. Burton put them into
the carriage, and then went to his office
for an hours work before going out to
his patients.
Carrie, who had perfect horror of
or any one else whose busi-
ness it might be to make her. stand still
for over two seconds, left her sister at
Madame Sigund s, and ordered the coach
man to drive slowly up and down the
street until Mrs. Cary's business at that
esta biishment should be finished.
Lounging back upon the cushioned
seat she Iazily watched the passers-by, or
the plain houses of the neigh
borhood, wondering how it would seem
to live in such an uninteresting street,
when small tin sign, bearing the words,
Mtuiel Harding, Seamst,ess, met her eye
and caused hert to start up and look back
at the house as they passed.
stMuriel Harding surely it can't be-"
and Carrie sat bolt upright and puckered
up her brows, trying to catch and make
tangible vague memory that fitted
across her brain.
ssDear Miss Muriel, wonder If it can
indeed be she, she said; then, calling
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