The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1880-03-25
A Sarcasm Of Fate.

A very elegant looking letter lay in little
Minnie Velsor's hands-a letter that bore q
delicious perfume Of violets-a letter ad-
dressed in Il fine flowing hand and the cn-
velope Of which was stamped with I'm in
tricate monogram, that unless Minnie had
known, she could never have deciphercd
as Mrs. Paul st. Eustace Carriscourt's ini-
tials.
The girls small, pretty hands grew Just
a triile cold and trembling as SHE took up
the letter to open 1t, because so much, OH
80 much, depended upon what was in the
letter; because it either meant new, in
dependent life, In which she would not only
earn her own living, but very materially
assist in taking care Of the dear boys OF five
and seven, or it doomed her 10 the old tire
some routine, out OF which Minnie felt at
times she must fly.
Mrs. Vclsor looked up from stocking
sh9 WAS darning, and said nothing, seeing
the nervous glow in Minnies eyes. Then
with little, half. desperate laugh, the girl
tore open the thick satin envelope.
It's almost like an ice-cold plunge bath,
but here goes, mammal"
She hurrledly read the short, friendly
note, and from the quick tears that gathered
In her eyes, and the smiles that parted her
lips, and the flush that bloomcd like fresh
roses on her checks, 1t was quite plain that
the news was good News.
Then she dushcd the letter on the floor
and rushed over to her mother, and kissed
her, laughing and crying at the same
time.
"Ohi mammal Mrs. Carriscourt has
given me the position, and sho wants me to
come immedlately-to-mo -morrOwi Just
think! Five hundred dollars year, and
she assures me I must make myself perfect
ly at home in her house; and she says am
to have room to myself, and to eat with
Pauline and Pauletta, in the nursery. Oh,
mamma, 1t will be just gloriollsI Aren't
you glad, delighted?'
Her blue eyes were dancing, and her
cheeks glowing like rose leaf.
Mrs. Velsor's sweet, sad voice was in
such odd contrast to her child's eager, ami
mated tones.
"How can be delighted to have you go
away from me, dear4 Besides, | am so
afraid you will not realize your vivid anti
cipations. The outside world, which seems
to you so rose colorcd and golden will net
he what you think"
ooh, mamDla, what Jobs comforter
you would be But how can help being
happy-perfectly happy, except being away
from you--in New York, IN magnificent
house, among people of wealth and distnc-
tion, and with these two sweet children my
only carer Mamma. will ride with them,
and am to make myself perfectly at home,
tho letter says, and you remember what a
charming lady we thought Mrs. Carriscourt
Was, when she was visiting Doctor Mans
field )ast summer"
Mrs. Velsor sighed softly. 1t seemed so
cruel 10 pour the chill water of disappoint-
ment on Minnies bright hopes.
"Well, dear, perhaps l am growing
cynical as grow older. Certainly you de-
served a far fate, and now, to descend to
matters of earth earthly suppose you see if
the beans are boiling dry"
The third day thcreaftcr-a day fragrant
with the smell Of frost in the air--a day
when the leaves sailed slowly, stately down
through the tender, golden atmosphere, and
the hush of mid October was over all the
earth and sky, Minnie Velsor went away
from the little cottage where she was born
and had lived, into the world waiting to
receive her.-all her glrlish hopes on glad
dest wings, all her rosiest dreams bursting
In fondcst realization.
1t was splendid place, Mrs. Paul ST..
Eustace Carriscourt's palatial residence Oh
Fifth avenue---a house that seemed to Min
les fancy like translated bit of fairy
story, with It's profuson of flowers and lace
drapcries, Its 1uxurics and elegance, Of
which she had mover dreamed, and of whose
uses sha was equally Ignorant.
Mrs. Carriscourt received her with q
charming graciousness and pattcd her Oh
the shoulder, and told her she hoped she
would not lot herself get homesick and in.
stalled her in her beautiful little room, with
ts pink and drab ingram carpet and chcs.
nut suit, and dlmity curtains at the Win
dows.
Then Minnie made some trifing little
alterations in her toilette, and. proceeded tc
take literal advantage Of Mrs. Cnrriscourts
invitation to mako herself at home In the
great, beautiful 3paylors below, where she
made charmingly sweet, quaint little pic.
tures, az she sat nestled In o huge silkcE
chair, the colo!' of the roses on her checks,
ard ut which Miss Clcona Carriscourt look
ed In astonlslied, imperious disdain, anC
Mr.. Geolfrey Fletcher In undisguised adj
miration, as the two entered the room al
tho farthest entrance.
,"'Isy Jove, what lovely girl Who Y
SHE, Miss Carriscourt he asked In tone
of unusual interest. sasr
Cleona's black eyes looked unutterabl'
anger from Minnie to Mrs. Carriscourt,
"Whati on earth Is she doing here
mamma, is she crazy9"
Her sharp, cutting tone was distinct!
3 heard as she intended 1t should be, b.
Minnie, who flushed painfully as she rose
vsnturlng just ono glance at the haugght,,