The Brookhaven ledger. (Brookhaven, Miss.) 1875-1883, 1880-07-22
ALMOST LOST.

| Mrs. NerVyn WeSCerlOH loOkeu
coldly at the pale faced, dropping
headed girl, who stood opposite her,
just fairly within the room to which
she had been summoned.
Eleanor, / sent for you to tell
you very frankly what shall do.
Since your fathers funeral, the will
has been opened, and the business
looked into, and the result is, you
and your sister Grace are beggars.
Being a remarkable pretty girl, and
my namesake, l shall keep her with
me. You can refuse or accept, as
you please, a position your uncle
has secured to you at Royston Tow
'ers. The duties are, attendance up.
on an invalid old lady; the pay, ten
pounds month-that is all"
And that was the end of all the
girls hitherto happy, care-free life
sweet, plain little Nellie Wilton,
whom no one but Mrs. Westerton,
her rich, ,childless, disagreeable aunt,
ever congealed into the prime, state
ly old Norman name.
"Nell and Gracie." That was
what father and mother had called
them, in those sweet, forever dead
and-gone days. =,
And now they were "beggars," :"
aunt Grace said; and Oracle was to
| stay in the magnificent mansion, to
be petted and caressed in silk attire.
Of course it was right that the
luxury, and the ease, and the smiles
of the gods, should be for Oracle
Wilton, while brave, patient Nell,
should 90 out into the world on her
own behalf.
So the change was made, and Gra-
Gle cried little-just enough not to
make her eyes red or her lips swo-
len.
E, And aunt Grace coldly said good
bye, and gave the heart-sad, home
sick girl, some remarkably good ad-
vice, and shut the door on her back
one dripping, depressing March
day. .,..
Poor, brave little girl! 1t took
more philosophy than even her wo
lman's head and heart could com
mand to be Mark Tapley undel
the circumstances. ..-r
| And, while the train steamed mile
after mile through the sodden, dis
piriting scene, and the rain drippec
! in sad little streams on the outside
lof the carriage windows, and tht
steam from the engine blew a thick
slmpenetrable mist between the 81
| lent passengers and the outer world
poor little Nell just nestled down il
the corner of her seat, and drew he
veil over her face and cried softly
all unconscious of the steady espi-
onage of pair of handsome blu
ewes, grave and intelligent, tina
were respectful, and admiring, ant
sympathetic in their regard, ant
that involuntarily lighted when Mel
lie gathered up her handbag and pie
lthoric shawl-strapped package, ant
| her umbrella, as the guard shoute'
some unintelligibleia jargon tina
sounded like pure Coptic, but whic
the time table told Nell was tn
private station Of Royston Towers
at which the train stopped, as
I signalled. ~
Evidently, then she was expecte
lby that train, and a little thrill
something that was not despai
lightened her heart, to think ths
lher letter had been received, an
the pains taken to receive her.
And carriage, too, she saw, 9
she stepped out in the drenchin
] storm; and solemn .coachmal
! standing in courteous waiting, WI
touched his hat as the gentlema
with the handsome blue eyes steE
ped out, just after Nell.
"All ready, Mr.. Hartcourt. Frigh
full heavy rain, sir; better jump
at once"
But Mr.. Hartcourt hoisted xh
lumbrelia and bowed to Nell, VT
comprehended, after all, that Il
carriage had not been sent for ne
y "Allow me! / see you are goin