River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1881-12-22

tall gentleman stopped over her.
Nothing. | felt little faint, my
lord"
He seated himself by her. Half an
hour after they entered the ballroom
again, where her various partners had
been searching for her, right and left
aud had nearly gone crazy IN their
search. She was Immediately poupced
upon, but excused herself fulfilling
any more engagements that evening.
There was a sad fearful scene in the
ballroom that same night.
| The gorgeous chandeliers, pendant
from the ceiling, and adorned with
glitteripg lusters, shed a brilliant light
around from innumerable wax candles.
Suddenly, the vibration of chanelier
from the dancing caused one of these
candles to slip from its socket, and it
fell on lady sitting beneath it. But
the work of a moment, and then the
fieecy, white texture she wore was in a
! cloud of flame, and she rushed hither
and thither Notwithstanding in her
agony. The gay crowd of dancers
made way for her, terror stricken, as if
by magic, some calling for water, others
yainly endeavoring 10 escape in mortal
fear. One or two of the boldest then
watched their opportunity, flung her
down and rolled her in huge rug, ex-
tinguishing the flames.
They picked her up and carried her
away, a charred mass of quiYering,
agonized humanity. Her groans and
writing contortious were heart-ren9-
ing, and yet after days of doubt and
internal tortures, and months of nurs-
ing, she recovered--recovered in
health, strength, body, in everything
but one thing-her beauty was gone
forever
For the poor sufferer was Lillian
Grey!
Four years passed, and people said
that times were hard. Robertson &
Co., the great bankers of Bridgestoke,
had failed and brought ruin on hun
dreds of the confidiDg householders of
that town. Among them was Mrs.
Gray, of Burnham house. Mr.. Robert
son had been friend of her husband,
and after his death had offered to man
age and invest her fortune for her.
Unknown to her, he had absorbed it
into his banking business, and after
the final crash had passed, scarcely
sufficient was retrieved to secure to
her and her daughter bare pittance
for life. Greatly was Mrs. Gray dis
tressed when they were compelled to
leave Burnham house and take up
their abode in obscure lodgings in the
town. -
Needless to say, after Lillian Gray's
accident, nothing further was heard
from Lord Whatsoever. He did not even
trouble to inquire whether she recov-
cred or not A great change came
over her with their reverses of fortune,
and finding that at times her mother
scarcely had the necessities of life, she
pocketed the remnants of her pride
and started as a music teacher. 1t
was uphill work at first, and she had
to endure many halfconcealed sneers
at her former arrogance, but she lived
them down, and after a while gathered
a decent little connection for herself.
But Mrs. Gray fell i'll, and despite all
Lillian's erdeavors it became difficult
sick person out of her slender means.
She shaved all day at her various pu-
pills residences, and then set up half
the night, tending the invalid lovingly.
And yet the rent went back, and the
surly landlord was memorable, and if it
were not paid within three days out
they must go.
In this extremity Lillian bethought
of asking slight favor at one place
where she attended. This was where
she taught the three children of a
wealthy retired merchant, named
Price. Nearly half the quarter had
run; she would explain her dire neees-
sity, and ask to be accommodated with
that and the remaining half quarter in
advance.
Modestly she stated her case to Mrs.
Price, stout, ford looking woman, of
rather coarse manners and appearance.
But this worthy lady replied with some
show of surprise, that it was impossible
she could accede to Miss Gray's request
that it was a most unheard of pro-
ceeding, and where would her house
hold allowance be by the middle of the
quarter if every one wished to be paid
in advance? She should have thought
that young woman who had once oc-
cupied the position of a LADY, would
have had more breeding than to ask
such a thing. And with this ill-natured
sneer Mrs. Price swept from the room.
Smothering her Indignation and her
sobs, and feeling doubly the burden of
her troubles, Lillian repaired to Ter
school room to give her pupils their
music lessons.
Only one child was there, pretty lit
tie girl with flaxen hair.
"Oh, Miss Grey, Uncle George has
come! And he has brought me such
beautiful doll! 1t can turn head over
heels, and can squirt, and he says it
came all the way from Japan, where
the tea trays are made, you know"
But this gratuitous information did
not secure the attention expected and
few minutes after the child was Stun
bling through her scales in a most reck-
less and unchecked manner, as far as
Lillian was concerned.
When half an hour of this sort of
thing had passed, the child got down OIL
the stool without word.
eyes, Fanny, you may go" said Lii
liam, rousing herself. Send Charlie to
me for his lesson"
Away went little Fanny, and Lillian
was left to her reflections alone.
Very bitter were her thoughts, and
the tears kept stealing to her eyes, how
ever much she tried to hold them back.
At last they welled up so fast they top
pied over their brims and rolled down
her cheeks.
She buried her poor, SCARED face on
her arms, leaning ON the desk, and gave
way to little weep" over her cares.
Presently she heard voices approach
ing, and little Charlie entered the room
accompanied by a gentleman, both
talking vivaciously; but they stopped
as soon as their eyes fell upon her.
Then she heard the gentleman ask in
whispered tones that sent strange
thrill toward her.
"Who is the lady, Charlie?"
That is Miss Grey, my music teach
er. She is going to give me my les
SON."
''She seems asleep"
With her tear-stained face Lillian
dare not look up to show them that she
was not.
II think so. / will call her. Miss
Grey
"S,ay-stay, Charlie Do you know
what her first name is? Think now"
And there was an earnestness IN the