Smyrna times., 1881-06-08
A Sarcasm of Fate.

tie Minnie NelsOr's hands, a letter that |
bore delicious perfume of viOlets-a let |
ter addressed i'll fine flowing hand and !
the envelope of which was stamped with |
an intricate monogram, that unless Min
ME had known, she could never have de- |
| ciphered as Mrs. Paul st. Eustace Carris- |
courts initials.
The girls small, pretty hands grew lust
Il trille cold and trembling as she took up
the letter to open it, oh, so much depended
upon what was in the letter: because il
either meant new, independent life. in
which she would not only earn her own
living, but very materially assist in taking
care of the dear boys of five and seven, OF
it doomed her to the old tiresome routine,
out Of which Minnie felt at times she must
fly,
Mrs. Nelsor looked up from the stocking
she was darning, and said nothing seeing
the nervous glow in Minnie's eyes. Then
with little half desperate laugh, the girl
tore open the thick satin envelope.
It's almost like an ice-cOld plunge
bath, but here goes, mamma! y
She hurridly read the short, friendly
note, and by the quick tears that gathered
in her eyes, and the smiles that parted
from her lips, and the flash that hl0oned
like red roses on her cheeks, it was quite
plain that the news was good news,
Then she dashed the letter Oh the floor
and rushed over to her mother and kissed
her, laughing and crying at the same
time.
"Oh! mamma Mrs. Carriscourt has
given me the position. and she wants me
to come Immediately tomorrow! Just
think Five hundred dollars year! and
she assures me | must make myself per-
tectly at home in her house; and she says
am to have room to myself, and to eat
with Pauline and Paulette, in the nursery.
Oh, mamma, it will be Just glorious
Aren't you glad, delighted?''
Her blue eyes were dancing, and her
cheeks glowing like rose leaf
Mrs. NelsOr's sweet, sad voice was in
such contrast to her child's eager anima-
ted tone. How can | be delighted to
have you go away from me, dear? Be
sides am so afraid you will not realize
your anticipations. The outside world
which seems to You 50 rOse-colOred and
golden, will not be what you think"
"Oh, mamma, what Jobs comforter
you would be- But how can help being
happy -perfectly happy, except being
away from youth New York. in q mag
nificent house, among people Of wealth
and distinction, and with their two sweet
q children in my care? Mamma, | will ride
fectly at home, the letter says. and YoI
remember what "a charming lady w,
thought Mrs CariscOurt was, when sht
was visiting Doctor Mansfleld's last sum
mer."
Mrs. Nelsor sighed softly. 1t seems 5,
cruel to pour the chill water of disap
pOintment on Minnie's bright hopes.
well, dear, perhaps l am growing Gym
zeal as | grow older Certainly you de
served fair fate and now, to descend t
matters of earth, suppose you see if tn
beans are boiling dry"
The third day thereafter-a day fragan
with the smell of frost in the air--a da,
when the leaves sailed slowly, stated
down through the tender, golden atmoS
phere and the hush of mid October wa
over all the earth and sky, Minnie Velso
went away from the little cottage wher
she was born and had lived, into the wOrl
waiting to receive her-all her GIRLS
hopes on gladdest wing all her rOsies
dreams bursting In fOndest realization.
1t was splendid place, Mrs. Paul S
Eustace CarriscOurt' palatial residence o
Fifth avenue-a house that seemed [
Minnie's fancy like Il translated bit of
fairy story, with its profusion of flower
and lace draperies, its luxuries and ell,
gance, of which she has never dreamed
and of whose uses she was equally ignO
ant.
Mrs. Carriscourt received her with
charming graciousness and patted her @
the shoulder, and told her she hoped 81
would not let herself get homesicS, an
installed her in her beautiful room, wit
its pink and ingrained carpet and chesnV
suit, and dimity curtains at the window
Then Minnie made some trihing lit
alterations in her toilet and proceedC
to take literal advantage of Mrs. CARR
courts invitation to make herself at hon
in the great beautiful parlors below, whe
she made charming sweet little pictuT
as she sat nestled in huge silken cha
the color of the roses on her cheeks al
Mt which Miss CarriscOurt looked in q
tOnished, imperiOus disdain, and NJ
Godfrey Fletcher in undisguised admir-
ton, as the two entered the room at t
farthest entrance.
"By Jove, what lovely girl! Who
she, Miss Cariscourt ?h he asked In n to
of unusual interest.
Cleona's eyes looked unutterable ang
from Minnie to Miss Carriscourt
"What on earth is she doing here, ma
ma, is she crazyP" -- .-.-....-
Her sharp, cutting tone was distinc
heard, as she intended it should be,
Minnie, who flushed painfully as she 70
Venturlng just one glance NJ the haugh
beauty's face, and Mr., Fletcher's eager
miring eyes, whose boldness startled h
=" am sorry to have made such m
take. thought Mrs Carriscourt mean
was to sit here little while. Please
cuse me; will not come again."
Her voice was sweet, and just a lit
nervous, and she instantly crossed
room followed by CleOna's cold Wor
every one of which brought q sharp tn
of modification and pain to her.
BE careful you make no more 81
mistakes, girl Your place is among
hired help, not in the parlors. Be g
enough to remember that"
And even Godfrey Fletcher's call
heart gave a thrill of sympathy at
sight Of the scarlet pain ON the sw'
Young face.
Once safe in her room, little Min
fought and conquered her first battle "
fate.
SIN not be crushed by my first ext
iepce,n she decided, resolutely, an houi
no after, when her breast yet heaved v
convulsive signs, and her eyes We're
swollen from crying. " ] will not Civ
i nm aud rfaah homo ~ momma-mU