Millheim Journal. [volume] (Millheim, Pa.) 1876-1984, 1881-01-13
Saved by Matches.

a small room, poorly IuTnlSneuj u 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. ii she had been better fed, she
would have had 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 shoul-
ders, 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 a
package Of it, donned her bonnet and
shawl, and went out of her lodging house.
She threaded the commercial streets
rapidly, and soon emerged on the avenues
of wealthy private residences. Here it
was quieter. The dusk was gathering.
Now and then a carriage rolled by. One
or two stately houses were lighted for re-
ceptious. Many more were somberly
closed. Alice went on, with her quiet,
rapid step.
She stopped at last before house all in
blaze of light. Costly lace curtains con-
cealed the luxurious rooms within; the
soft notes of piano came softly upon the
girls ear.
THE Tracys give another party to-
night" said Alice.
She went INTO the area and rang the bell.
A servant admitted her. She went in
with her bundle.
She came out 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 pavement to count the money.
''Give me cent" said little beggar-
boy starting somewhere out of the silent
shadows.
"What do you went it for 2" asked
Alice.
'I'm hungry" answered the child. He
was pale and pinched..
"Here's dime: would give you more
if could" she said.
The child took it eagerly. She passed
on, with less than 81 to buy supper and
pay for a weeks rent.
She had more work. When 1t was fin
| ished she came the same way in the dusk.
| AS she passed over the Sidewalk faint
| line of white attracted her attention.
There was knob of glass, generally
called ''bull's s-eyes," in the pavement. 1t
is usually inserted over coal vault, and is
removed to admit the Goals. This one had
not been adjusted with exactitude, and at
the crevice appeared line of white.
Alice stopped down and examined it. 1t
was the edge of a folded paper.
She drew it out with a wild thought
that it might be some valuable check or
draft. But it contained only few words,
written i'll pencil.
~ have watched for you constantly for 8
week. If you would cave my life come back
here, and all night long place matches where
! you found this paper. You shall be rewarded
with all you can ask. PRISONER
Alice closed the paper IN her hand and
looked around bewildered. 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 set quite evenly in
its place. She touched it with her foot,
but could not move it. After waiting a
moment, confused and in doubt, she passed
on, recollecting her errand.
The area door admitted her. The ser
want had child in her arm, the dainty
little thing for whom Alice made gar
ments.
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 disagree
able-looking g--clutching her cashmere gown
at the breast, and turning impatiently to-
ward her little sewing-girl.
"Why did you '}come before2" she
asked IN hoarse voice, with a slight
French accent. 'The child should have
had that dress to drive in to-day"
Il was sick yesterday; l could not
finish it," answered Alice, tremulous-
| y.
Madame snatched the package, tearing
it open, and letting the little embroidered
robe fall upon the bed.
"Well, here is your money!" said she,
opening velvet purse. "Next time
will employ some one who will do as
they promise" !"
Alice turned away with bursting heart
for the woman's words meant starvation
for her. She dared not raise her voice in
reply; she OWNED truly that the heart un-
der that rich robe was one of stone.
AS she passed down stairs, she heard a
low voice. 1t proceeded from one of the
rooms about her.
sAnd he is twenty. one to-day2" it
said.
"Yes; it is three years since his mys-