The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1879-10-08
"But what is it fort"
Mr.. Blake laughed.

utmost confidence in my capacity, ability
and-and- responsibility. Mr.. Elderslie
| is a good business man. He understands
his own interest. And now If you've any
more questions to ask l-5.s III
II have none," said Annette, wisttully.
"But-I need the money myself. Iwork
! hard for it. earn it righteously. I
connot afford any more than the others
among these poor laboring girls, to pay
it to your greed .#1 ...
"Eh9" calculated Mr.. Blake, jumping
from his seat as if some insect had stung
him. 7@' $685.. >.
:'And I will not pay it, calmly con-
cluded Mile. Annette. ~. ... a
every well-very well. Just as you
ike, mademoiselle,' cried the foreman,
turning red in the face. "Only if you
| won't conform to the rules of the Dapple
vale works. ~. ass... Fiji ..... -. 80
care these the rules2' scornfully de
manded Annette. sd 80. a.-s- = F..
"Pray consider your name crossed off
the books" went on Mr.. Blake. "You
are no longer in my employ. Good even
ing, Mademoiselle Whatever-you-may
call.yourself." 49,. r..
And Mr. Blake slammed down the GOV
er of his desk as if it were patent gull
lotinc and poor Annette Duvelle's neck
were under it.
Two or three of the factory girls, who
had lowered around the open door to hear
the discussion, looked with awe-stricken
faces at Annette as she came out with
four dollars which she had received from
the cashier in her hand.
"You've lost your place, ma'amselle,"
whispered Jenny Purton, pale, dark
eyed little thing who supported a Grip
pied mother and two little sisters out of
her mulcted earnings.
'And he'll never let you in again"
added Mary Rice. "He's as vindictive
as possible!''
ut matters not" said Annette. HE
is a rogue, and rogues sometimes out
general themselves"
"But you can't starve,'' said Jenny.
"Look here, ma amselle, come home with
me. It's poor place, but we'll make
you welcome till-till you can write to
your friends"
Annett turned and impulsively kissed
Jenny on her lips.
~ thank you,' she said, "but do not
need your kindness. My friends are
nearer than you Think
And Annett Duvelle went back to the
little red brick cottage, all matched with
the growth of the woodbine, where she
lodged with the wife of the man who tend
ed the engines in the Dapplevale works.
"Does he cheat you, too of your mon
ey?" She asked, when Simon Pettengill
came home, smoke stained and grimy, to
eat his supper.
"one-sixth I have to pay to him. said
Simon with an involuntarily groan, as he
looked at the five little ones around his
board, ''Yes, miss, he's william; but
the world is full of such. And I find it
a pretty hard world to get on with. Mr..
Elderslie never comes here or maybe
things would be bit different. Mr..
Elderslie lives abroad; in Paris, they
say"
"He is in this country now," said An
nette. II intend to write to him."
'Twon't do no good, MISS"
eyes it will" said Annette, quietly.
y x X
The petals Of the June roses had fallen,
a pink carpet all along the edge Of the
woods, and the Dappleville works wore
their holiday guise, even down to Simon
Pettingill's newly frightened steam en-
CINE, for Mr.. Elderslie and his bride were
to visit the works on their wedding
tour.
'It's pity Ma'amselle Annette went
away so soon" said Simon to his assistant;
It" cause they say the masters kind-heart-
ed in the main, and she might have spok-
en- up for herself" r W.
Mr.. Gerard Blake, in his best broad
cloth suit, and mustache newly dyed,
stood smiling in the broad doorway as
tAe carriage drove up to the entrance,
and Mr.. Elderslie, a handsome, blonde
Drowned man, sprang out and assisted
young lady in a dove-colored travelling
suit, to alight. ..t.. ....r.
"Blake, how are you2" he said, with
the carelessness of conscious superiority.
"Annette, my love, this is Blake, my fore
man." =.
"Mademoiselle Annette"
And Mr.. Gerard Blake found himself
cringing before the slight French girl
whom he had turned from the factory
door month before. ... j. =
II must beg to look at the books,
Blake" said Elderslie authoritatively.
my wife tells me some strange stories
about the way things are managed here.
1t became SO notorious that the rumors
reached her even at Blythesdale Springs
and she chose to come and see for herself.
Annette, my darling, the best wedding
gift that we can make to these poor work
ing girls Is a new foreman. Blake, you
may consider yourself discharged" II
But, sir" ~ IL SO
"Not another wordo' cried Mr.. Elder
size, with lowering brow, and Mr. Gerald
Blake crept away, with an uncomfortable
consciousness OF Annette's scornful blue
eyes following him.
Elderslie turned to his wife.
"You were right my love-" said he.
"The mans tace is sufficient evidence
against him."
And new reign began for poor Jenny
Purton and the working girrs, as we'll as
for Simon Pettingill.
And Annette never regretted her week.
apprenticeship in the Dapplevale Calico
Works.