Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1879-09-03
VOL. 74.-3SO3. NO. AZ.

window and door skins and Eastern rugs
lay on the polished wood floor, and ire
mendous fire blazed in great brass fire.
| place, and the flames danced and were re-
fiected from the enthusiastic tiles with
which II was surrounded.
"lll take your note in," said the footman
as handed IT, Z" You can sit down"
preferred to stand, and as soon as 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 I remained
standing wearily 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 as
my passport
| started, for close behind me, having en-
tered unheard, was rather plump, tall lady
in black. She was dressed as II she was
going out, and was well wrapped in furs.
"Oh you are waiting" she said harshly
and shade Of displeasure crossed her face
as she looked at me till my eyes dropped.
"There, Miss-Miss-"
Laurie" | said.
"Yes, yes | know" she said sharply " 1t
is my note. Pray, why in the name Of com
mon sense did you not sit down Take
that chair. Now, then, have you been
W u lHuy DelOre
No, ma'am,'' l replied and then in an
swer to her questions, all very sharply given,
told her as much as was necessary Of my
story.
81 don't think you will suit me-" she
said, I" | have misery enough, and / want
some one cheerful and pleasant, lady
whom | can trust, and who will be pleas
ant 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 appli-
cations I've had nearly drove ME crazy. I've
had one since you wrote me--a creature
whose sole idea was herself | want one
who will make me her first consideration. |
do not mind what pay, but / want some
one tall and ladylike and you are not pretty,
you know"
| shook my head sadly.
Humph Well" she went on, "you
won't be so giddy aud be always thinking
of getting married. There, you need not
blush like that it's what all the compan-
ions have had seem to think about You
don't suppose"
81 am engaged to be married." fsaid,
hanging my head, ain couple of years"
"Hol Well, he mustn't come here, for
am very selfish, pragmatical old woman
and if | engage you-which don't think
shall do should want you all to myself
What is he ?"
"A settler-abroad," faltered.
"Hol That's better; and perhaps he'll
settle there altogether without you"
| looked at her Indignantly, and she
laughed.
"Ah know, my good girl. | haven't
lived to eightand-forty for nothing. How
old are you ~
Twenty" said, shivering, for her rough
way repelled me, and longed to bring the
interview to an end.
Why, the girls cold" she said, roughly.
Hin, twenty. Here, go up to the fire and
have good warm; it's dreadful weather,
There, pull off your bonnet and jacket. Put
them on the chair, and go closer to the fire.
I've deal to say to you yet, for Pm not
going to engage any young person and have
to change directly"
obeyed her. trembling the while, for |
was very weak and she went on asking me
questions and making comments.
81 don't like your appearance at all; you
look pale and unhealthy. Not bit like
girl from the country
Pm very sorry" | said; "but indeed,
ma'am, have excellent health"
Then your face tells stories about you.
You play, of course ?"
ayes, maam."
"You're warm now Go and play some.
thing. Can you singf"
"Yes, ma'am."
Miss"
al was about to tell her my name, but re-
membering the last rebuff, was silent.
"Now look here, my good young lady,
how am | to remember your dreadful name
What is it ?"
"Laurie, ma'am," I replied.
"Of course it is | remember it quite
WELL Now go and play and sing something,
and mind, don't want any ears deafened
with fireworks, and the drums split with
parrot-shriek bravuras. Sing something
sweet aud simple, and old-fashioned, If you
can" she added, ungraciously.
| crossed the room and sat down 10 the
magnificent piano, and for the next five min
utes | seemed to be far away down in the
old home, as forgot where | was, in sing
ing my poor dead fathers favorite old bal
lad, " Robin A1ar;" while as | finished,
had hard work to keep back the tears.
Rob-bin A-dair she sang as | rose, in
a not unpleasant voice. Now let me hear
you read. always make my companion
read 10 me good deal and mind this, l
hate to hear any one drone like a schoolgirl.
Go over there into the corner OF the window
and stand there. Take that book you'll
find the mark left in it where Miss Belle.
ville-bah | believe her name was Stubbs,
and her father green-grocer-left off. Now,
then, begin.
She pushed lounge chair close up to the
window, and sat down with her hands in
her muff, while | stood there, feeling like q
schoolgirl, and ready to drone, as | began
to read with faltering voice what happened
to be Thackeray's most beautiful chapter
the death Of poor old Colonel Newcome |
know my voice trembled at times, and
strange sense of choking came upon me as
went on battling. o so hard to read those
piteous, heart stirring lines but was weak
and suffering l was faint with hunger and
exertion, sick with that despair of hope de-
ferred, aud at last the room, with its costly
furniture seemed to swim round before me,
cold perspiration bathed my face, and with
sigh caught feebly at the curtains aud
then fell heavily upon the polished floor
have some faint memory Of being lifted
and wheeled in a chair whose castors | heard
chirrup to the front OF the fire, and then,
as my sense began to return, | seemed TO
feel arms around me, and pleasant voice
saying half aloud
"And she had Just lost her father, too
to set her to read such thing as that |
declare I'm the wretchedest, most thought
less and unfeeling old woman under the sun"
Then there was refreshing odor of ths
vinaigrette, and the sick feeling began to
pass away.
al beg-I beg your pardon" faltered
trying to rise.
al beg yours, my dear" she said ten
derly "sit still, sit STILL Now, then, try
and drink that"
Some sherry was held to my lips, and then
was almost forced TO eat biscuit. They,
however, rapidly revived me, and found
Mrs. Porter had torn off her bonnet and
mantle, aud was kneeling by my side.
"Thal's better my dear" she said, smiling
at me as she passed her arm around me aud
drew me nearer to her and kissed me in a
gentle, motherly way. But this was too
much, for | was weak and hysterical.
could fight against harshness, but her tender
words and ways unlocked the foodgates Of
my grief, and laid my head down and sob
bed as if my heart would bre ak
: An hour later, after she had literally
forced me to partake of the breakfast that
was ordered up, she sat beside me- holding
my hand, and more than once / saw the
tears steal down her pleasant face as she
won from me, bit by bit, the story of my