The daily gazette., 1879-03-10


account that she has never paid me-"
"Ten dollars Fll collect it, never
fear" said Laura eaily, as she disappear
ed, while TO poor Ellen it seemed as II
the sunshine had all died out with the
presence Of her beautiful friend.
1t was nearly dusk when Miss Avery,
summoning up all her resolution, ascen-
ded the brown stone steps of the Richley
mansion and rang the bell.
''Is Mrs. Richley at home ?"
"Wbat's your business with Mrs. Rich
ley" asked the servant, suspiciously
scrutinizing the basket that she carried.
Laura bit her lips. This manner from
servants was an entirely new experience
TO her, yet how often must poor Ellen
have endured it.
~ have called TO bring home dress
that was finished for her." she said, in a
tone Of quiet dignity.
"O-ah-yes; well, I s'pose you'd bet
ter walk in"
The servant conducted her up stairs to
sort of sitting room or boudoir, where
Mrs. Rlchley, portly dame of about
fifty, gorgeously dressed in a crimson
silk, was sitting in her easy chair in front
of glowing coal fire. Laura was in
wardly grateful that the gas had not been
lighted, particularly when she observed
that Mr.. Florian Richley was lounging
on a velvet sofa in one of the window
recesses. Mrs. Richley looked up as the
servant ushered in the new conner.
swell, young woman, what do you
want ?"
Lauras cheek tlnged at the tone of
course insolence In which she was ad-
dressed, but she commanded herself TO
reply meekly:
81 have brought home your dress, Mrs
Where is Miss Waynall?"
"She is ILL.,"
Every we'll; lay down the dress; it is
all right"
But Laura stood her ground villantly.
Miss Waynal would like the money
night, madame-seven dollars on the
old account and three for this Dress"
at Is not convenient tonight"
but, Mrs. Richley, Miss Waynall is.ill
and needs the money" persisted Laura.
"There, Florian," said Mrs. Richley,
the Turkish dressing gown and elaborate
ly arranged hair, 81 told you just how it
would be-"
"What the deuce is the matter now ?"
snapplshly asked Florian, for the first
time condescending to evince any inter-
est In what was going on.
"Why, these impertinent dress-mak-
Ing people are always clamoring for
money, just when you have drained me
OF my last cent"
Let 'em clamor, then, that's my ad-
vice." said Florisn, without taking the
trouble to move his head.
"Just give me back that ten dollar bill,
Florian," urged his mother. "You can't
want it tonight"
"But l do want it, it happens" said
Forian coolly.
"You are going to fritter it away in
some of those gambling houses, to drink
yourself stupid again, fretted Mrs Rich
ley. at Is too bad, getting my money
away from me just to indulge in horrible
habits. Why don't you earn money for
EASY, ma, easy" said the dutlful son,
lazily dragging himself to a sitting post
ure. "Don't lose your temper, forf isn't
worth while. This ten dollar bill Is going
to help make my fortune. l shall take
the lovely Laura to the opera tonight"
Nonsense; this fine scheme will flash
In the pan just like the rest of your cas-
ties in the air. She won't have you"
"Oh, yes she will, my incredulous
mamma, wait and see. shall bring.her
to the point pretty soon. Then 1 will
pay you back the money with interest
out of my lady's bag of sinners"
"And will you leave off your gam bling
habits? Oh, Florian, they will be the
ruin of you yet"
"Perhaps, perhaps not" returned the
young man insolently. THAT will be
very much as please"
Both the mother and her son had en-
tirely forgotten the presence ofthe young
girl who was standing in the dusky
shadows near the door, until this mo-
Inent, when Mrs. Richley, turning sharp
ly around, saw her.
"What are you waiting here for" she
a-ked irritably. 81 have already told
money to-night-why don't you go about
your business 2"
| Her cheeks were flushed even beneath
their artificial bloom of rouge, and her
chill grey eyes sparkled with anger, as
Laura Avery composedly advanced for.
ward. She took one of the tapers from
the china shell and lighted the gas with
a steady hand, whose flash of rich rings
filled Mrs. Richley with astonishment.
"l am sorry that you cannot pay your
just debts," madam, said Laura. quietly
10 ooking the amazed mother and son IN
the face; "but l am not sorry for any oc
curreuce that has had the effect of open.
ing my eyes as to the true character oi
/ Florian Richley. / will take the ten dol
lars. sir, to my sick friend, as you will
find 1t entirely unnecessary to go the ex
expense of taking Miss Laura Avery to
the opera tonight"
Florian's handsome cheek had grown
pale-his knees quivered beneath him as
he mechanically took the bill from the
pocketbook and placed 1t in the hand oil
the imperative beauty, while Mrs. Rich.
ley sank back aghast into the cushioned
armchair.
FIorian made one desperate effort to
retrieve his lost fortune, even in the
moment OF sore defeat and discontinue
81 am very ysorry-awkward mistake
hope you will afford me an eX planation,'
he stammered.
81 require no explanation, sir" was
Laura's cold reply ,as she withdrew from
the apartment haughtilv aud unap
proachable as q statute of ice.
She hurried homeward through the
twilight streets, with burning cheek
and beating heart, and it was nearly dark
when once more she entered Miss Way
nails room, lighted OILY by the fainl
glow of a low fire.
"Back so soon, Laura ?" asked Ellen
somewhat surprised.
"Here is the money, Nelly, and the
wine," she said, thankful, that the dim
hight could not betray her tell tale fea
lures. "And now you must get well a,
fast as you can.
"Oh, Laura, am so much obliged te
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