Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1881-04-02

Teplleu. am nOu at uuerUy 10 an-
swer that question"
The mother said nothing. The
daughter asked sharply, "Why not?'
Stella addressed her answer TO the
mother. "I come from person who
desires to be of service to you US an UNI
known friend" she said.
The wan face of the widow suddenly
frightened. "Oh," she exclaimed,
"has my brother heard of the Generals
death, and has he forgiven me my mar
riage at last?"
"No, no." Stella interposed; "I must
not mislcad you, The person whom I
represent is no relation of yours"
Even in spite of this positive asser-
tiou, the poor woman held desperately
to tho hope that had been reused in her.
"The name by which you know me may
mislead you," she suggested, anxiously.
"Mv late husband assumed the name
in his exile here. Perhaps if told
you -"
The daughter stopped her there.
"My dear mother, leave this to me-"
The widow sighed resignedly, and re-
sumed her work. " Madam Marillac
will do very well as name," the girl
continued, turning to Stella, "until we
know something more of each other. I
suppose you are well acquainted with
the person whom You representa-" ?"
Certainly, or I should not be here
"You know the persons family con.
nections, in that case, and you can say
for certain whether they are French con
nections or not?"
~ can say for certain" Stella an.
swerod, "that they are English con.
nections. | represent friend who
feels kindly toward Madame Marillac !;
nothing more"
You see, mother, YOU were mistaken.
Bear it as bravely, dear, as You have
borne other trials" Saying this very
tenderly, she addressed herself once
moro to Stella, without attempting to
conceal the accompai wing change in her
manner to coldness and distrust. Gone
of us must speak plainly" she said.
"Our few friends are nearly as poor
as we are, and they are all French. l
tell you positively that we have no
English friends. How has this anony-
nous bnnefactor been informed of our
poverty? You are a stranger to US
you cannot have given theinformation?"
Stella's eyes were now opened to the
awkward position in which she had
placed herself. She met the difficulty
boldly, still upheld by the conviction
that she was serving a purpose cher.
ished by Romayne.
"You had good reasons no doubt,
mademoiselle, when you advised your
mother to conceal her true name," she
rejoined. "Be just enough to believe
that your anonymous benefactor has
good reasons for concealment, too"
Tt was well said, and it encouraged
Madame Marillac to take Stella's part.
"My dear Blanche you speak rather
harshly to this good young lady" she
said to her daughter. "You have only
to look at her to see that she means
we'll"
Blanche took up her needle again
with dogged submission.
"If we are to accept charity, mother,
should like to know the hand that
gives it," she answered. 81 will say
no more"
"Whon you are as old as I am, my
dear" rejoined Madame Marillac, "you
will not think quite so positive as you
think now [ have learnt some hard
lessons" she proceeded, turning to
Stella, "aud / hope am tho better for
them. My life has not been happy
one"
"Your life has been martyrdom |"
said the girl, breaking out again in
spite of herself. "Oh, my father my
father" She pushed aside the work
and hid her face in her hands.
The gentle mother spoke severely for
the first time.
"Respect your fathers memory p
she said. Blanche trembled and kept
silence. "I have no false PRIDE"
Madame Marillac continued 81 own
that we are miserably poor and l thank
you, my dear young lady, for your kind
intentions toward us, without embar-
RAISING you by any inquiries. We man
age to live. While my eyes last our
work helps to support us. My good
eldest daughter has some employment
as teacher of music, and contributes
her little share to assist our poor house.
hold. 1 don't distrust you; | only say,
let us try little longer if we cannot
help ourselves"