Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1880-06-03

A pery elegant looking letter lay 10
little Minnie Velsor's hands, letter
that bore . delicious perfume of sioiess
la letter addressed in D 6ns 4Owing
hand and the envelope of which was
stamped with n intricaie monogram,
that unless Minnie had known, she could
never hare deeiphered - Mrs. Paul -.
Eustsee csFriscourt's initials.
The girls small. pretty bands grew
just ) iri1e cold and trembling = shs
took up she letter to open 4, because %
much, oh, so much, depended upon
what was IN the letter; because II eth
er meant q new. independent life, m
which she would not only earn her own
living. bat very materially assist in ta-
king care Of the dear boys OF G and y,
or il doomed her to the old tiresome
routine, out Of which Minnie fslt at times
she must Ay.
Mrs. VeIsor looked up from stock
ilg she was darning, and said nothing.
seeing the nervous glow in Minnie's
eyes. Then, with little, half-desper-
ate laugh. the girl tore open the thick
satin envelope.
"lrs almost like an ice-cold plunge
bath. but here goes. MANN !"
She hurriedly read the short. friend
ly 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, II 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 ut
the same time.
"Oh mammal Mrs. Carriscourt has
given me the position, and she wants
me to come acknowledgements |!
Just think! Five hundred dollars a
year, and she assures mo must make
myself perfectly at home in her house;
and she says am to have room TO my
self, and to eat with Pauline and Pau
letta. in the nursery. Oh, mamma, il
will be just gloriousi Aren't you glad,
deIightedi"
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 chiId's ca
ger animated tone.
"How can I be delighted 10 have you
60 away from me. deari Besides, lam
50 afraid you will not realize your vivid
anticipations. Tie outside world, which
seems to you so rose-eclored and golden,
will not be what you think"
"Oh, mamma, what Jobs comfort
er 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 distinction, and with their
two sweet children my only care
Mamma. 1 will ride with them, end
am to make myself perfectly st home,
the letter says, and you remember what
9 charming lady We thought Mrs. Car
riscOurt was. when she was visiting Dr..
Mansfield last summer"
Mrs. Velsor sighed softly. Itseemed
so cruel to pour the chill water Of dis
appointment on Minnie's bright hopes.
"Well, dear. perhaps ! am growing
cynical as grow older. Certainly you
deserved far tate, and now, to de-
scend to matters of earth earthly, sup
pose YOU see il The beans are boiling
dry"
The third day thereafter-a day fra
grant with the smell Of frost in the air
Ia day when the leaves sailed slowly,
stately down through the tender. gold
en atmosphere and the hush OF mid Oc-
tober was over all the earth and sky,
Minnie velsor went away irom the lit
lie cottage where she was born and had
lived, into the world waiting to receive
her-all her girlish hopes on gladdest
wing, all her rosiest dreams bursting IN
fondest realization.
II was q splendid place. Mrs. Paul 81.
Eustace Carriscouri's palatial residence
on Fifth Avenues house that seemed
to Minnie's fancy like translated of
Of a fairy story, with its profusion Of
ilowers and lace. drapefses. is luxuries
and elegance. Of which she has never
dreamed, and Of whose uses she was
equally ignorant.
Mrs. Carriscourt received her with a
charming graeiousness and patted her
on the shoulder. and told her she hoped
she would not let herself get homesick.
and installed her IN her beautiful little
room, with its pink and drab ingrain
carpet and chestnut suit, and dimity
curtains at The windows.
Then Minnie made some triaing little
alterations in her toilet. and proceeded
] TO take literal advantage Of Mrs. Csrris-