Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1880-05-04
Trusted and True.

AAosUAACOAy 10 ~ ROoSAOAO Lh0t III "a .
crying again? Did I not tell you that
I would discharge you if 1 found you
indulging in that foolish whimpering
any more ?"
Poor Kathleen O'Neil had been dust
ing the elegantly furnished drawing
room, and she stood before all exquisite
little painting of one of the blue, spark
ling Irish lakes, set in gold-green shores,
with a sky beyond like liquid amber
stood with her apron to her eyes and
her ruddy cheeks deluged with tears.
II couldn't help it, ma'am," she sob
bed. "but it put me in mind of home"
"Home !" scornfully echoed Mrs.
Arnott. "Your home! A shanty in a
bog. It isn't likely you ever saw such
spot as that"
''Deed did I, then ma'am," answered
Kathleen, land many a time. For we
lived beyant them same green shores
"rrhere, that will do" said Mrs. Ar
mott, coldly; II don't care to hear about
any "reminiscences"
Kathleen did not understand the nve
syllabled word, but her quick nature
couprehended the sarcastic tone. The
tears were dried in their font-the scar
let spot glowed On her cheek.
6ue lOOks uOWu Ou Mt ~ IL was
dog" Kathleen thought. to herself.
God has given us both. How would
she like it, wonder, to be in strange
land, and niver kind word spoken to.
! o, but if could see mother, and little
Honora, and Teddy, that's but baby
yet; butts it's the blue sea that rolls be-
tween us. and it's oil alone that am !"
Poor Kathleen the sense of desOla-
ton came upon her with siekening
power just then as she stood before the
sweet Irish lake, with splashes on her
! cheek; and Mrs. Arn0tt's cold, hard
voice sounding in her ears.
"It's . great pity to be obliged to do
with these Wild, untutored Irish."
Kathleen was Just bringing up the
tray, and Mrs. Arnott's words sounded
distinctly In her ears as she paused on
the top step to get breath.
"Of course, my DEAR" said Mrs. Tu-
dor Andor alphabetically, they're
bad, thoroughly bad, the whole lot of
them. I'd send them all back to their
| natiEe country if it lay in my power"
7 wish they were all at the bottom
| then perhaps we would haye q chance
to employ Swedes, OF Chinese, Or some
body that would at least earn their
bread. Is that you, Kathleen? "Why
don't you bring in the ice-water at once,
instead of standing there?"
Kathleen obeyed; but the dreary,
homesick feeling that thrilled through
ell her pulses can hardly be described.
"If I was only at home again." she
thought, "wnege the poorest and mean
est have kind word for each other |!
They scorn and hate me here; and sure,
I've tried to do my best, but the lady
hos heart of stone, and even the little
children ia the nursery. with their
French maid, Isasekke fun of Irish Kath-
leen."
I And the lone exile wept herself to
sleep on her solitary pillow that night.
It vas mere closet of room, without
light o. ventilation, that she occupied.
Mrs. Arnott thoHght that any place was
good enough for Kataieap. The bed
was hard, and insufi1ciently provided
with clothing, but Mrs. Arnott care.
deal better than she was accustomed to
at home. And she had just paid a large
sum for draping her drawing room win
dows with lace and brocatelle-so, of
course, there Was nothing left for such
trifle es the comfort Of ths servants.
us Kathleen sick, mammal" little
Julia Arnott asked one day. ''She
cries so much and looks so white?
Mr.. Arnott, stout built, good natured
maa Of forty or thereabouts. glanced up
from his paper.
"What does the eilita mean, Lucre-
tia?" he asked. II hope you looE q
little after your girls" I"
"Of course I do" she said sharply,
"Kathleen is q silent, sullen thing, and
IL shall discharge her next month.
Natalia has sister who wants place"
HAS she ang friends in the country
Kathleen, / mean3
"Not that know Off
"Seems to me I wouldn't discharge
her then. It would be rather hard, un.
less she is guilty of some fault"
Mrs. Arnott bit her lip
Gentlemen understand nothing OF
the management of household" !" said
she, tartly. "These girls haven't our
sensitive natures, either. They are
quite used to knocking around the