Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1880-06-10

In nv present circumstances was utterly
prostrated with the news, for | dared not
take lodgings elsewhere; and could see
nothing now but to sell portion of my
scanty wardrobe and go back to beg assist
ance of my fathers friends.
What a change, and how soon had my
hopes Of independent action been blighted
was heartsorc a. felt how in that great
city there was wealth being squandered and
luxury around me while | was literally
starving for my poor living was telling up
on me fast. Wha, should | doe What
should do?
Il was with weary iteration | had said
those words and wep, until tears would come
no more. and dull stolid feeling Of despair
had cecp; upon me. had almost shrunk
away in the streets from the righi-faced
happy girls | passed. and at times found
myself asking what had been my sin that |
should be thus punished.
Law awake that nigh, for many hours.
watching the light from the street lamp play
ing upon nv ceiling; and at las, towards
morning the remembrance of the words
had so often heard came TO me with q calm
sense of reposc. trust and rcs,fulneSs and
believe ! fell asleep at las, with smile up
on nv lips, repeating portion Of that com
forting sentence ending, "Are'ye not much
better than they.
Il was a bright sunshiny morning when |
auoke 10 hear some one knocking at my
door and hurrying on a few things, ! an
swered
"Ah' vas Just going TO take EN- down
again" said the landlAdy harshly. Some
folks can afford TO lay in bed all day; can't
Here's two letter. for YOU. and mind this.
Miss Laurie never bargaincd to come
,ramping up To the top Of the house with
letter. and message for YOU"
I'm yer, much obliged Mr.. Ruddock. ="
| said gently. as ] took the le,ters With
trembling hands. while muttering and com
planning. their bearer went down stairs. II
seemed very hard then. but | believe il was
the woman's habit, and that she was no, bad
al heart. but warped and cankercd by
poverty. hard work and !ll-usage from a
drunken husband. " HON she entirely kept.
One letter | saw al a glance ~as from
Mlnua. the other was in a strange Grabbed
hand. asd | longcdso read them be, eSerci,
ing nv scif-dcnial. dressed ht my fire. and
prepared nv very frugal breakfast be
For sitting down and dcvouring Minna's
news.
Wha; night had TO murmur as did las,
night. asked myself when she was c'i-
dcnil, 50 happy and con,en;ed' And then
| opened With clustering hand the other let
ter and vas puE1ed by 1t at first: bu, a;
Jas, | recalled the fac, that three weeks be
fore | had answered an advertisement in
the Ta>s. where lady wanted oompan-
ion.
The note ~as yer, brief and curt and ran
as follow.
III Miss Laurie is no; engaged .hc can
call upon Mr.. l.Aagton Porter. - Morton
street. Park Village South. Al elcvca O'Clock
to morrow ,ThuT,day"l
AT IA, '~ ,a.d To myself joyfall,, and
With beating heart prepared my self ~ the
journey, FOR the appointment ~as for that
morning
Jgs, a. | had pretty veil timed myself
FOR M, walk a sudden squall came on, the
,sy "a. dArkrucd. snow fcll heavily. and in
place Of q morning IN spring We seemed to
have gone back into winter. FOR the anns
las thicklt in scr short tune. and the
branches Of the tree. IN the squares were
whitehead.
Weak as vas, this d..hear,ened me. but
| fought ml Nay bra,ely on. and Just a,
eleven rang iimidl, Al the door Of an I'M
portani looking house. and vas supcroil-
iously shown by stout, tall footman into a
Handsomely furnished room. Everything IN
the place, noticed was rieh and good heavy
curtains hung by window and door. skin.
and Eastern rugs lay on the polished wood
floor. and tremendous fire blsIed in grea,
brass FIRE place. and the flames danced and
we're reflected from the eneausiic tides with
which Il a. surrounded.
IN lake your note in. said the ioo;man.
a. handed it, You can u; down"
preferred 10 stand. and a. soon a. vas
alone | .hiyered with cold and fear |
caught glance Of my pale, sallow face II.
the great mirror. Eyery moment expected
to see the owner Of the place. but | remained
standing YEARLY for an hour, and then
sighed and turned wgs,ful!y TO look at the
door. wondering II the footman had taken
in the note " hich | had given HIM my
passpo
started for close behind me having en-
tered unheard. was a rather tall lad, in
black She VAS dressed as If for going out,
and well wrapped in furs.
"Oh, YOU are waiting" she said harshly,
and shade Of displeasure crossed her face
as she looked full at me I'LL my eyes dropped.
There, Miss-Miss-"
Laurie suggested.
"les, YES; know" she .aid sharply
''ii is my note. Pray why in the name o!
common sense did you not 1T down. Take
that chair. Now, then, have YOU been com
panion TO a lad, before p
NO ma am, replied; and then. in an
swer TO her questions, all very sharply given,
| told her as much as was necessary Of my
story.
Il don't think you will suit me-" she said
| I've had misery enough. and | want some
| one cheerful and pleasant, a lady whom
/ can trust. and who will be a pleasant com
panion. There, I'm sure there is not such q
| bod, in London, for the way ! have been
1 imposed ON is dreadful, I've had .iI in .ix
months. and the number Of applications
have had nearly drove me out Of nv senses
| I've had one since YOU wrote 10 me-a
creature whose sole idea was herself |
want some one who ~ill make me her first
consideration. don't mind what | pay.
but wan; some one tall and lady like and
YOU are not pretty. you know.
shook my head sadly.
"Humph, Well" she went on, "you
won't be so giddy and be always thinking
Of getting married. There YOU need no,
blush like that its what all the companions
have had seemed to think about. You
don't suppose ?"
II am engaged to be married." said
hanging down my head, "in couple OF
years"
"Ho, Well, he mustn't come here, for
I'm very selfish. pragmatieal old woman
and if engage yOu-whieh don't think
shall do should want you all to myself
What is he?
a se,tler-abroad." | faltered.
"Ho, That's better; a.d perhaps he'll
settle there altogether without YOU"
looked at her Indignantly and she
laughed.
"Ah, know, my good girl. haven,
lived to eight and forty for nothing. How
old are you?'
Twenty" said d,shivering. for her rough
way repelled me. and longed to bring the
interview to an end
"Why, the girls cold :" she said roughly.
HIM twenty, Here 60 up to the fire and
have good warm; it's dreadful weather.
There pull of your bonnet and jacket Put
them on that chair and 60 closer to the fire