The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1880-11-26
miscellaneous.
A Sarcasm OF Fate.


Minnie Velsor's hands, a letter that bore q
delicious perfume of violets-a letter address,
ed in a fine flowing hand and the envelope
of which was stamped with an intricate mon.
ogram, that unless Minnie had known, she
could never have deciphered as Mrs. Paul ST.
Eustace Carriscourt's initials.
The girls small, pretty hands grew Just n
trife cold and trembling as she took up the
letter to open it, because SO much, oh, so
much, depended upon what was in the letter;
because it either meant new, independent
life, in which she would not only earn her
own living, but very materially assist in TAX
ing care of the dear boys of 5 and 7, or it
doomed her to the old tiresome routine, out
of which Minnie felt at times she must fly.
Mrs. Velsor looked up from a stocking she
was darning, and said nothing, seeing the
nervous glow in Minnes eyes. Then, with
the thick satin envelope.
Its almost like an ice-cold plunge bath,
but here goes, mamma"
She hurredly read the short, friendly note,
and by the quick tears that gathered in her
eyes, and the smiles that parted from her lips,
and the flush that bloomed like red roses on
her cheeks, 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.
ooh mamma! Mrs. Carriscourt has CIV
en- me the position, and she wants me to
come mediately-to-morrow Just think !
Five hundred dollars year, and she assures
me must make myself perfectly at home in
her house; and she says am to have room
to myself, and to eat with Pauline and Pau
letta 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 rose leaf
Mrs Velsor's sweet, sad voice was in such
odd contrast to her child's eager animated
tone
How can l be delighted to have you go
away from me, dear? Besides, am so afraid
you will not realize your vivid anticipations.
The outside world, which seems to you so
rose-colored and golden, will not be what you
think"
"Oh, mamma, what Jobs comforter you
would be But how can help being happy
perfectly happy, except being away from
youth New York, in magnificent house,
among people of wealth and distinction, and
with their two sweet children my only care?
Mamma, l will ride with them, and ! am to
make myself perfectly at home, the letter says,
and you remember what charming lady we
thought Mrs. Carriscourt was, when she was
visiting Doctor Mansfield last summer"
Mrs Velsor sighed softly. 1t seemed so
cruel to pour the chill water of disappoint-
ment on Minnie's bright hopes.
"Well, dear, perhaps am growing cynical
as l grow older. Certainly you deserved a
fair fate, and now, to descend to matters of
earth earthly, suppose you eif the beans are
boiling dry"
The third day thereatter-a day fragrant
with the smell of frost in the ARA 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
girlish hopes on gladdest wing, all her roisest
dreams bursting in fondest realization.
1t was splendid place, Mrs. Paul st. Eus-
tace Carriscourt's palatial residence on Fifth
Ayenue-a house that seemed to Minnie's
fancy like translated bit of q fairy story,
with its profusion of flowers and lace dra-
peries, its luxuries and elegance, of which she
has never dreamed, and of whose uses she
was equally ignorant 49,.
Mrs. Carriscourt received her with q
charming graciousness and patted her on the
shoulder, and told her she hoped she would
nOL lCb RCb liOIltblCh, tlu ihbbuiiSu hCi
in her beautiful little room, with its pink and
drab ingram carpet and chestnut suit, and
dimity curtains at the windows.
Then Minnie made some trifiing little al
| terations in her toilet and proceeded to take
| literal advantage of Mrs. Carriscourts invita-
| ton to make herself at home in the great
beautiful parlors below, where she made q
charmingly sweet little picture, as she sat
nestled in huge silken chair, the color OF
| the roses on her cheeks, and at which Miss
| Cleona Carriscourt looked in astonished, i'm
perious disdain, and Mr.. Geoffrey Fletcher in
undisgused admiration, as the two entered
the room at the mrthest entrance.
"By Jove, what lovely girl Who is she
Miss Carriscourt ?" he asked in tone of un
usual interest
Cleonas eyes looked unutterable anger
from Minnie to Mrs. Carriscourt.
"What on earth is she doing here, mamma
is she crazy"
Her sharp, cutting tone was distinctly
heard as she intended it should be, by Min
ME, who flushed painfully as she rose, ventur
| ing Just one glance at the naughty beauty
face, and Mr.. Fletcher's eager, admiring eyes
whose boldness startled her.
81 am sorry to have made such mistake
| l thought Mrs. Carriscourt meant was to 81
here little while. Please excuse me; will
not come again"
Her voice was sweet, and just little ner
yous, and she instantly crossed the room fol
lowed by Cleona's cold cutting words, ever,
one of which brought sharp thrill of MORT
fication and pain to her.
"Be careful you make no more such mis-
takes, girl. Your place is among the hires
help, not in the parlors. BE good enough t.
remember that"
And even Godfrey Fletchers callous hear
gave a thrill of sympathy at the sight of tn
scarlet pain on the sweet, young face.