The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1881-02-09
SAVED BY MATCHES.
The Story ofa Young sewing-Gir Strange
Adventure.

A small room, poorly furnished; pot OF
mignonette in the window; girl at work at
the table, sewing steadily. She would have
been pretty if she had not been so poor. If
she had been better fed she would have had q
rosy cheek; if she had had freedom and less
labor, she would have had dimples; if she
had worn dress of violet silk instead of
faded calico, it would have brought out the
fairness of her skin and the golden hue of
her hair. AS it was, Alice Morne was pale.
and pinched and sad with the sewing girls
stoop of the shoulders and the sewing girls
heavy heart.
She rose suddenly and folded up her work
"A child's garment, of fine cambria, trimmed
with dainty lace. She made package of
it, dOnned her bonnet and shawl, and went
out of her lodging-house.
She threaded the commercial streets rap
idly, and soon emerged on the avenues of
wealthy private residences. Here it was
Quieter The dusk was gathering. Now
and then carriage rolled by. One or two
houses were lighted for receptions. Many
more were soberly closed. Alice went on,
with her quiet, rapid step.
She stopped at last before a house all in
a blaze of light. Costly lace curtains con-
cealed the luxurious rooms within; the soft
notes of the piano came softly upon the
girls ear.
The Tracys give another party tonight"
said Alice.
She went into the area and rang the bell
A servant admitted her. She went in with
her bundle.
She came up with light step. The work
had been approved, and she had been paid.
A little dazzled with the scene she had Just
emerged from, she paused upon the pave
ment to count the money.
'sGive me cent" said little beggar
boy starting somewhere out of the silent
shadows.
"What do you want it for7" asked Alice
"I'm hungry" answered the child. He
was pale and pinched.
''Here's a dime; 1 would give you more
if / could" she said
The child took it eagerly. She passed on,
with less than g to buy supper and pay for
a weeks rent.
She had more work When it was done
she came the same way in the dusk. As she
passed over the sidewalk a faint line of
white attracted her attention.
There was knob ofglass, generally called
bulls eyes," in the pavement. 1t is usu-
ally inserted over coal vault, and is re-
moved to admit the coal. This one had
not been adjusted with exactitude, and at
the crevice appeared line of white. Alice
stopped down to examine it. 1t was the
edge of folded paper.
She drew it out with wild thought that
it might be some valuable check or draft.
But il emily contained few words written
in pencil:
Ihaye watched for you continually for week. II
yOn want 10 saye1ny life come back here, and all
night long place ma ches where you found this paper
You shall be rewarded with all ysu can ask.
PRISONER
Alice closed the paper in her hand and
looked around bewidered. No one was to
be seen. She looked down at the lump OF
dull glass, but it was entirely Opaque. The
bulls eye was not quite evenly set in its
place She touched it with her foot but
could not move it. After waiting mo-
ment, confused and in doubt, she passed on,
recollectiDg her errand.
The area door admitted her. The servant
had child in her arms. the dainty little
thing for whom Alice made garments.
'Mrs. Tracy said you was to come up to
her chamber" said she. "You know the
way"
The lady whom she met was not lovely;
she WAS sallOw and dark; very disagreeable-
looking -clutching her cashmere gown at
the breast and turning impatiently toward
her little sewing girl.
"Why did you not come before2" she
asked in hoarse'voice. with slight French
accent. s'The child should have had that
dress TO drive in to-day"
Il was sick yesterday; ] could not finish
IL" answered Alice, TREMENDOUSLY.
Madame snstched the package, tearing it
open, aud letting the little embroidered robe
fall upon the bed.
swell, here is your money" said she,