West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1880-03-06
A Sarcasm Of Fate.

A very elegan. looking letter lay i'm little
Minnie Nesor's hands, letter that bore a
delicious perfume of violets-a letter ad-
dressed in fine flowing hand and the en-
velope of which was stamped with an in
triCate monogram, that unless Minnie had
known, she could never have decphcrrd
as Mrs. Paul ST Eusiace Carriscourl's ini-
tials.
The girls small pretty hands grew just
a trifle cold and trembling as she took up
the letter to open it, because 50 much. oh.
SO much, depended upon what was in the
letter because it either meant a new, in
dependent life, in which she would not only
earn her own living, but very materially
assist in taking care of the dear boys on five
and seven, or it doomed her TO the old tire
some routine, out of which Minnie felt at
times she must fly.
Mrs Nelsor looked up from stocking
she was darning, and said nothing, seeing
the nervous glow in Minnic's eyes Then
with little, hall. desperate laugh, the girl
tore open the thick satin envelope
It's almost like an ice-cold plunge bath,
but here goes, mammal
She hurredly read the short, friendly
note, and from the quick tears that gathered
in her eyes, and the smiles that parted her
lips, and the flush that bloomed like fresh
roses on her cheeks, it 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 at the same
time.
"Oh mamma! Mrs. Carrscourt has
given me the position, and she wants me to
come immedIately-to-m Just
think Five hundred dollars year. and
she assures me | must make myself perfect
ly at home in her house; and she saws am
to have IA room to myself, and 10 eat with
Pauline and Pauletta, in the nursery. Oh,
mamma, it will be just glorious Aren't
you glad, delightedY'
Her blue eyes were dancing, and her
cheeks glowing like rose leaf
Mrs. Nelsors sweet, sad voice/was i'm
such odd contrast to her child's eager. ami
mated tones
"Iow can be delighted to have you 90
away from me, dcarf Besides, / am so
afraid you will not realize your vivid anti
cipations. The outside world, which seems
to you so rose colored and golden, will not
be what you think"
"Oh, mamma, what a Jobs comforter
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 distmc-
ton, and with these two sweet children my
only care? Mamma, will ride with them.
and am to make myself perfectly at home,
the letter says, and you remember what a
charming lady we thought Mrs. Carriscourt
was, when she was visiting Doctor Mans
field last summer"
Mrs. Velsor sighed softly. II seemed so
cruel TO pour the chill water of disappOint-
ment on Minnies bright hopes
"Well, dear, perhaps am growing
cynical as ] grow older Certainly you de-
served far fate, and now, TO descend TO
matters of earth earthly suppose you see if
the beans are boiling dry"
The third day thereafter a day 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 Nclsor went away
from the little cottage where she was born
and had lived, into the world waiting to
receive her-all her glrlish hopes on glad
dest wings all her rOsiest dreams bursting
In fOndest realization.
1t was splendid place, Mrs Paul ST.
Eustace Carriscourt's palatial residence ON
Fifth avenue house that seemed to- Min
les fancy like a translated bit Of a fairy
story with It's profusion of flowers and lace
draperies, its luxurics and elegance. of
which she had never dreamed, and of whose
uses she was equally ignorant
Mrs Carriscourt received her with "a
charming graciousncss and paucd hcr on
the shoulder, and told her she hoped She
would not let herself get bomcsick and in.
stalled her In her beautiful little room, with
Is pink and drab ingram carpet and chcs-
nut suit, and dimity curtains "a, the win
dOws.
Then Minnie made some triGng liDlc
alterations I'm her toilette and proceeded Co
take literal advantage Of Mrs Carriscourts
invitation 10 make herself at home iu the
great, beautiful parlors below. where sine
made q charningly sweet, quaint little pic
lures, as she sat nestled in huge Mlkcu
chair, the colo OF the roses on her checks
ard 40 which Miss ClcOna Cafrisc0u1 look
ed in astonlshcd, impcrious disdain. and
Mr. GeOlIrey Fletcher in undisguiscd adj
miralion, as the two entered the room at
the farthcst entrance.
'By Jovc, what lovely aih Who is
she, Miss Carrscourt ~ hc asked iu tome
Of unusual interest.
Cleona's black eyes looked unuttcrabIe
anger from Minnie TO Mrs Cauiscourt
what on earth is she doing here.
mamma, Is she crazy 2"
Her sharp, cutting tone was distinctly
heard, as she intended it should bee, by
Minnie, who flushed painfully as she rose,
venturing Just one glance at the naughty