Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1880-03-18
Paul Dubois Runaway Daughter.

were the bluest kind of blues. Not n
ray OF sunshine to be found in sky or
room, or in Linette's face or Thoughts.
lone months rent unpaid" she be-
gan, another coming due in few days.
No coal, no wood, no money" and she
fairly broke down as she finished sum-
ming up Ter troubles. Little ills she
could and did bear with patience and
fortitude; but these matters were too
grave to laugh over and charm away by
very lightheartedness. While her work
lasted, Linette had faced the hardships
of her life bravely enough Now, with
idle hands and hungry lips, she had
grown desperate with want. Crying
still. she began collecting her few poor
clothes, after pausing to wipe away the
binding tears, and sobbing out pitifully:
"Oh! to think of my ever going into
n pawn shopw
She was still intent on her task, when
Il sharp rap sounded on her door. At
her summons it opened, and her eyes
were quickly dried in her wonder at the
unlooked-for visitor. Elegant fur man
ties and French bonnets came so seldom
within range of Linette's bright eyes.
that for n moment she saw only these.
but quickly transferred her attention TO
thewondrous beauty. of the lady's face.
Blanche Carlson wds unprepared for
the girlish face gazing at her, with wide
wet eyes, and looked about at the bare.
poverty-stricken room, with some little
curiosity, as she advanced, and referring
to n printed scrap of paper in her hand,
spoke:
You advertised for place rs lady's
maid Mary Judson, think, are you
not ?"
mo, Madame, Mary Judson lives on
the floor above. ] did not aC vertise. :"
"Oh, indeed, | beg your pardon ~
and Mrs. Carlson moved toward tn,
door, pausing rs the girl began to speak
hurriedly.
Would l suit you I can dress hair
perfectly and know all the duties OF
a maid. Do try me. can give you
reference as TO character, indeed I can.
am so poor-and so hungry !" and
Linette's tears welled over again.
Mrs. Carlson. although not an impul-
sive woman, retained enough of youth
and enthusiasm to sympathize readily
with forlorn beauty; and Linette, coax
ing and entreating, was even more win
ming than in any other of her ever
changing moods. Her fair, curly hair.
with its wonderful tints OF gold and
bronze, served to heighten the impress
sion OF child like-as&ing for love and
protection made by her wide blue eyes.
heavy with tears. 4 few questions.
answered as earnestly and satisfactorily.
and Linette found herself again alone,
but with widely different feelings.
First of all, something to eat; and
Llnette ran lightly down the ricketty
stairs, out into the narrow street. and
along to the underground bake shop
where poor old humpbackJ Joe displayed
his modest sign OF Eating House. "
The steps leading down were lev and
slippery, but the girl only closed her
hand the tighter over the pI ecious silver
it held, and bursting in through the door
as willfully as a sunbeam will fall into n
dreary prison-cell If only the keepers
back be turned. Scantily lighted. fur
nished only with n counter running half
way back and few tables and chairs.
there was yet suggestion of warmth
and comfort in the great red-hot stove
and the atmosphere reeking with the
tunes of an immense pot of soup.
Hey! girl, come easyl come easytm
and Joe's ragged gray hair appeared
above the counter. Shaking himself ne
one sees huge mastiff do after rest.
he continued: You'll break the door.
slammin' ii so hard-and the dishes.
maybe! And what do you want, any
wayp"
There, joe" answered Linette. who
was already peering curiously into the
soup-pot, and warming her numbed
hands. There, Joe stop growing, and
look at that. A whole quarter, and I
mean TO eat every cent of it.n
Nothing daunted by this threat. Joe
bit it, eyed it, sent it spinning on the
counter, and finally thrust il down into
his capaciOus pocket, shaking himself
again with an inartieulate erowl.
Linette only waited, spoon in hand, for
him to set a loaf, n pat of butter and
bowl OF steaining soup before her-to
commence eating with evident relish
and satisfaction. Joe swung himself up
on the edge OF a table. and watched her
curiously as she ate. Several times ne
took the money out, and set his great
teeth IN it as though to help himself to
solution of n knotty problem.
His misshapen figure, ferocious-look-
ing head, and huge. long hands, had
nothing repulsive for Linette. Once or
twice she nodded cheerily, and once
waited him a kiss with the tin of her
spoon. Suddenly, he flung the money
down on the table before her, and lean
ing forward, so that the flickerinR lamp
threw its light full in his face. spoke
harshly but with evident agitation in
his voice:
Look here, Lnette. Where did you
get it-and them others in your pocketP
You've been out of work and nigh to
starvin'. Have they took you on sgainP
Did you get IL honest, or have you gone
the way of other girls with bad man
to help you onp"
"No, joe" came the answer, accom-
panied by glance rs fearless as his own.
"A woman's hand placed IL In mine; -
and she told him Of the afternoons visi-
tor. adding; And, Joe, it vas Just
starvation / had come to. The last NOR
sell of food touched Mt this very table
last night. told her fairly that was
hungry, and you should have seen the
pity and horror In her face. She did not