Millheim Journal. [volume] (Millheim, Pa.) 1876-1984, 1880-03-25
A Sarcasm Of Fate.

\ very elegant looking letter lay in littl,
Minnie NelSor's hands-a letter that bore ,
delicious perfume of violets-a letter ad
dressed in fine flowing hand and the en-
velope Of which was stamped with an in
tricate monogram, that unless Minnie haC
known, she could never have deciphere(
as Mrs. Paul II. Eustace CarriscOurt's ini
tials.
The girls small, pretty hands grew JUS
trit1e cold and trembling as she took VI
| the letter TO open it, because so much, OH
so much, depended upon what was in the
letter; because ii either meant new, in.
dependent life, in which she would not only
eHn her own living, but very materially
assist in taking care of the dear boys OF five
and seven, or it doomed her TO the old tire
some routine, out of which Minnie felt at
times she must fly.
Mrs. Nelsor looked up from Il stocking
she was darning, and said nothing, seeing
the nervous glow in Minnies eyes. Then
with little, alf.dusperaie laugh, the girl
tore open the thick satin envelope
: It's almost like an ice-cold plunge bath,
but here goes, mamma"
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 bloomed like fresh
roses on her checks, it was quite plain that
the news was good news.
Then she dashed the letter on the floor
and rushed over to her mother, and kissed
her, laughing and crying at the same
time.
''Oh. mammal Mrs. Carrisrnnrt l'""
given me the position. and she wants me 10
come immedlately-tO-m just
think, Five hundred dollars year, and
she assures me | must make myself perfect
" at home in her house; and she says am
to have a room to myself, and to eat with
Pauline and Pauletta, in the nursery. Oh,
mamma, it will be just glorious! Aren't
you glad, delighted?"
Her blue eyes were dancing, and her
cheeks glowing like a rose leaf.
Mrs Vesor'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, dear! Besides, | am so
afraid you will not realize your vivid anti
cipations The outside world, which seems
to you so rose colored and golden, will not
be what you think"
'Oh. mamma, what a 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 distlnc-
ton, and with these two sweet children my
only care? Mamma, | will ride with them,
and l am to make myself perfectly at home,
the letter says and you remember what a
charming lady we thought Mrs. Carriscourt
wds, when she was visiting Doctor Mans
feld last summer"
Mrs. Velsor sighed softly. It seemed SC
cruel to pour the chill water Of disappoint-
ment on AHnnie's bri ght hopes.
"Wel1 dear, perhaps | am growing
cynical as | grow older. Certainly you de-
served fGIr fate, and now, to descend tc
matters of earth earthly suppose you see il
the beans are boiling dry"
The third day thereafter-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, ano
the hush of mid October was over all the
earth and sky, Minnie Velsor went away
from the little cottage where she was borr
and had lived, into the world waiting tC
receive her-all her glrlish hopes on glad
dest wings, all her rosiest dreams bursting
in fondest realization.
1t was splendid place, Mrs. Paul St
Eustace Carriscomt's palatial residence or
Fifth avenue-a house that seemed to Min
les fancy like translated bit of fairy
story. with it's profusion of flowers and lace
draperies, its luxuries and elegance, o.
which she had never dreamed, and OF whos'
uses she was equally ignorant.
| Mrs. Carriscourt received her with
! charming graciousness and patted her OF
the shoulder, and told her she hoped slit
would not let herself get homesick and in
stalled her in her beautiful little room, witt
| IS pink and drab ingram carpet and ches
nut suit, and dImity curtains at the win
| dows.
Then Minnie made some trifing Httl
alterations in her toilette, and proceeded t.
take literal advantage OF Mrs Cariscourt'
| invitation to make herself at home Ill th
great. beautiful parlors below, where sh
made charmingly sweet, quaint little pic
lures, as she sat nestled in huge silkel
chair. the colo. Of the roses OF her cheeks
ard at which Miss Cleona Carriscourt look
ed in astonlshed, imperious disdain, an
Mr.. Geoffrey Fletcher in undisguised ad
miration, as the two entered the room
the farthest entrance.
''Bv Jove, what lovely girl! Who
she. Miss Carriscourt 2" he asked in ton
OF unusual interest.
CIeona's black eyes looked unutterabl
anger from Minnie to Mrs. Carriscourt.
"What on earth is she doing here
mamma, is she crazy"
Her sharp, cutting tone was distinct
heard, as she intended it should be, b
Minnie, who flushed painfully as she ro5
venturing Just one glance at the haught