The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1880-05-22
Select STORY.
A SARCASM OF FATE.

A very elegant looking letter lay 10 little
Minnie Velsors hands, letter that bore
delicious perfume Of violets--a letter
addressed in 6ne flowing hand and the
envelope Of which was stamped with an
intricate monogram, that unless Minnie
had known, she could never have deciph-
cred as Mrs Paul St. Eustace Carriscourt's 3
initials.
The girls small, pretty hands grew just
triae cold and trembling as she took up
the letter to open it, because SO much, oh,
50 much, depended upon what was in the
letter; because il either meant new, in.
dependent life, in which she would not
only earn her own living, but very ma.
terially assist 10 taking 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 fy.
Mrs Yelsor looked up from n stocking
she was darning, and said nothing, seeing
the nervous glow in Minnie's eyes. Then,
with little, half.desperato laugh, the girl
tore open the thick satin envelope.
ats almost like au ics-cold plunge bath
but here goes, mamma y
She huniedly read the short, friendly
note, and by the quick tears that gathered
in her eyes, aud the smiles that parted
from her lips, and the flush that bloomed
like red roses on her cheeks, il was quite
plain that the news was good news.
Then she dashed the letter on the Aoor
and rushed over TO her mother, aud kissed
her, laughing aud crying at the same time
"0h mamma Mrs. Carriscourt has
given me the position, and she wants me
to come immediately-to-morrow Just
think Five hundred dollars a year, aud
she assures me must make myself per-
fectly at homo In her house; and she says
| am to have a room to myself, and to eat
with Pauline aud Pauletta, 10 the nursery
Oh, mamma, it will be just glorious
Aren't you glad, delighted2"
Her blue eyes were dancing, and her
cheeks glowing like rose leaf
Mrs. Velsor's sweet, sad voice was 10
such odd contrast to her ehilds eager an
mated tone.
"How can be delighted to have you
go away from me dear2 Besides, | am
so afraid you will not realize your vivid an
ticipations. The outside world, which
seems to you so rose. .eolored and golden,
will not be what you think
"Oh, mamma, what jobs comforter
you would be But how san help being
haPpy-perfectly happy, except being away
from you-in New York, 10 a magnificent
house, among people Of wealth and distinc.
tion, and with their two sweet children
my only care? Mamma, will ride with
them, aud | am 70 make myself perfectly
at home, the letter says, and you remem.
Der what a charming lady we thought Mrs,
Carriscourt was, whom she was visiting
Doctor Mansfield last summer"
Mrs. Velsor sighed softly. II seemed
so cruel to pour the chill water of disap.
poiOtment on Minnie's bright hopes.
"Well, dear, perhaps | am growing cyn.
ical as grow older. Certainly you de.
served fair fate, and now, to descend to
matters Of earth earthly, suppose you see
If the beans are boiling dry"
The third day thereniter.--a day fra.
grant with the smell Of frost in the air
a 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 hsr--all her girlish hopes on
gladdest wing, all her rosiest dreams burst.
ing in fondest realization.
1t was splendid place, Mrs. Paul st.
Eustace Carriscourt's palatial residence on
Fifth Avenue house that seemed TO
fancy like translated Bit Of
fairy story, with its profusiou Of flowers
and lace draperies, its Injuries and Gle.
gapcc, Of which she has never dreamed,
and of whose uses she was equally ignO-
rant.
Mrs. Carriscourt received her With
graciousness and pattcd her on
The shoulder, and told her she hoped she
would not lot herself get homesick, aud in
stalled her in her beautiful little room,
with its pink aud drab ingram carpet and
chestnut suit, and dinity curtains at the
windows.
Then Minnie made some trifliug little
alterations 10 her toilet, and proceeded to
Iake literal advantage Of Mrs. Carriscourt's
invitation to make herself at home in the
great, beautiful parlors below, where she
made charmingly sweet, little picture,
IS she sat nestled 10 huge silkeu chair,
The color Of the roses on her cheeks, and
1t which Miss Cleona Carriscourt looked
IN nstOnished, impcrious disdain, and Mr..
GeOfrey Fletcher in uudisguised admira-
lion, as the two entered the room at the
farthest entrance.
"By Jove, what a lovely girl Who is
'he; Miss Carriscourt ?" he asked In tone
If unusual interest.
Cleonas eyes looked uuutterable anger
rom Minnie TO Mrs. Carriseourt
"What on earth is she doing here, nam.
no; is she eraEy?n
Her sharp, cutting tone was distinctly
heard, as she intended il should be, by
Minnie, who flushed painfully as she rose,
'entuTing Just one glance at the naughty
'eautys face, aud Mr. Fletcher's eager,
Idmiring eyes, whose bolduess startled her.
u am sorry 70 have made such mis-.
AXE; ! thought Mn. parriseosrt mean,
vas To sit here little while. Please
'Kcuse me, ! will not come again.p
Her voice was sweet, aud Just 4 little
nervous, and she instantly crossed tho
'oOm followed BY Cleona's cold, cuttina
sords, every one Of which brought sharp
hrIll Of modification aud pain to her.
"Be careful you make no more such
girl. Your place ls among the
hired help, not in The parlos. Be good
'ncugh 10 remember that"
Aud even Geofrey Fletcheris callous
leart gave a thrill Of sympathy at the sight
II the scarlet pain on the sweet, young
ace.
Once safe ia her room, poor little Min.
lie fought and conquered her first battle
xith fate.
@I'll no. be crushed by my 6st sxpe-