Osage Valley banner., 1880-04-15

But, alas, there were more goyernesses
than situations, and finally, Lutte, who
had always had great taste in dress, was
employed by the fashionable mlllinor of
the place. Il was a descent, so 10
speak 4" hut wo must liv0, said Luiie,
braYely. Her wages kept mamma and
noe quito comfortably, and with what
iitilsd could 10 in the way 81 ssssiag,
we were getting on so nicely, when a
sudden and mysterious trouble fell up
on IA.
One day, Lutte came home, In a.
drenching rain, with bonnet that she
had been sent ont with. but had not
delivered She had n face like q ghost.
| was sure she was ill-dying, perhaps
-she looked so ghasily.
I flew 20 her side
Hush, hush" she whispered, in
stincd voice, putting her hand 60 her
heart, Iii YOU love me, Boss, don't ask
me a question and on your lifo don't
give mamma hint OF this. l shall be
myself again in a very little while, II
lou'll leave me. Go out and make the
tea, dear"
always obeyed Lutte While I was
making the tea, a boy came with a lot-
ter. II was for Lutte, and took Il in
10 her, Her soft eyes seemed to blaze
as She looked at the address.
"1'ake II back, Bess,n she said, with
the voice and air OF a queen, "ahd tell
the bearer never 70 bring another
Then she went up 10 her raoin
did as ! was bidden. An hour later,
Lutte came down, with her old face and
smile.
"Bess," she said, and put her arms
round me, and kissed me, "you've al
ways been a good sister 10 me; be bettor
than good now: never speak TO me Of
this--this trouble, Bess"
never will, Luti0,r l said.
The very next day, we left the town,
and found refuge in tho brown cottage,
days journey hy rail away. Uero wo
made cur home Mamma fretted tli,tle,
but she had such confidence IN tutie's
wisdom, that she Let her have her way
And Lutte never oime alluded 20 hor
trouble, nor did ] dare 70 press for her
confidence.
It's so lucky we've the baskets and
frames 70 make, Bess,N said Lutte, as
we sat down under the pino-ridge, 90
rest, and shell off the pretty, brown
cones, ''we're sadly IN need of little
money, NOb0dy, hardly, seems to want
q new bonnet, this fall, or even 10 have
an old one trimmed; the times are too
hard, they say. We can't sell the brown
pultets brood, We must keep them for
mamma; and tho eggs count up dread
fully slow; Hnd mamma must have a
warm double-wrapper, and the money
We get for these wiil just do
She kept her pretty, slim fingers busy,
while she talked, shelling of the cones.
The afternoon sunshine, falling on her
uncovered head, made rs waving brown
hair glcam like gold Lutte was
so pretty, so gentle, 50 lady4ikel
Yet the shallow OF that old, mvstori-
GUS trouble still saddened her soft eyes.
I often wondered what the trouble could
have been.
81 think we can crowd in at least
two more baskets, Bess," she went on
" and III tell yon what intend to do.
| shall cut up that spotted shawl of
mine, and line them. v
',But, OH Lutte, it will be such pity
"a cptitu up. Il IS such an odd Old Elb.
ric."
y little quiver stirred her lips.
"No, 1t won't, F" she said, with GER
tain resOlute ring in her voice. "The
baskets will sell better.n
OF course | said no more, aud we
gathered up uur cones, and went home.
/ attended the bazar almost oyery
night, but Lutte stayed at home. She
seldom went out, save on business.
Our baskets, lined with the gay, cari-
nnaixr gt,gffpA Hfllr otfrnnf.N t,,ssnk ,ssfo.,
ton.
Whom went up to the table, on
which they were arranged, on the last
night, / noticed tall, bearded, very
handsome but maStorful man, examinv
ing them critically. lie looked up rs |
approached.
"Can you tell me whose baskets these
aref" ho Inquired.
"rhcre comes the lady who sells
them, replied.
nIiut who made them, l mean?" He
was almost abrupt, in his commanding
eagerness,
"My sister and made them" ] an
swcred o little haughtly.
llo wheeled round upon me, his fine
eyes blazing, one Of the baskets In his
hand.
Your sister, did you sayP This
lining, this spotted silk, was her shawl
Her name Is Ludl0w--Lutie LudlOwPn
- Yes, ] stammered, in amazepent.
81 thought so," he sHid, his. dark
cheek flushing. ~ beg ten thousand
pardons, Miss Ludlow When get an
opportunity, / whleSplain all this ~
The crowd surged up, and separated
US, sand with an intuitiye feeling that some
great Joy was in store for Lutte, l made
my escape and ran home 70 tell her
about L.