The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1881-02-24
FOR LOVE ALONE.
NJ. L. NJ

Orphaned, alone in the wide world,
with none left to love, none to protect
her. A sad, weary lot, a blank out
look for one who till within few short
hours ago had never known what it
was to have a wish ungratified, a desire
unfulflled, and now-alas! all things
We're changed; nothing remained to
Beryl Staunton but the memory of a
vanished past which made her wide,
bright eyes wear 4 mournful express
sion. One week since she had stood
by her fathers grave, and to-day she
had been reading message She had
found amongst his papers. 1t was a
lament that he must leave her without
suitable provision. No reproachful
thought had entered into her mind as
she read, but it was n painful problem
to the delicately-nurtured girl as to
what she should do to support herself.
She was well educated, but her youth
would be against her in trying to OBJ
tain pupils.
The morning paper lay upon the Ia
BILE. She took it up and glanced over
the advertisements. One ATTRACTED hcr
attention. 1t was for n housekceper
and companion for an old lady, Beryl
decided TO apply for it. She had kept
house for her father, and the servants
had been respectful and obedient. She
was surely competent for that position.
So the next morning she brushed her
wavy brown locks into prim, satiny
smoothness, put on her plain black
walking suit, and went 10 the address
given i'll the paper, n large, imposing
mansion, facing Hyde Park A foot
man, i'll handsome but sombre livery,
opened the door.
Beryl gave him her card. and he
showed her into the drawing-room.
Then he moved noisclessly away. soon
to return and ask her into the library,
where a gentleman was seated reading
aloud to an old lady.
He rose to meet Bcrvl as she entered,
and said, glancing at her card:
Miss Staunton, believe. Let me
introduce you to my mother, Mrs.
Drummond." Then, with Il change
from gravity to playfulness i'm his tone,
he continued: '.Now, young lady, what
is the errant this time-a contribution
for st. Luke's. or for the sick children's
excursion? You see," he said, turning
with Il smile to his mother, '.the only
time we arc favored with the presence
Of the mcntlcr sex is when they come to
make an appeal for some pet charity"
Bcryl flushed deeply as she made
haste To correct her error.
Sir" she said, lyon are mistaken.
/ should have sent word by the man. 1
called in answer to your advertisement"
For an instant there was an embar-
rassed pause, then Beryl went on.
Il know that my youth is against me;
but | never had any trouble in manag-
ing my fathers household, and now
that-that he has left me, II thought
i could-could do that best"
The girls heart seemed to rise in her
throat, and choke her. She could
scarcely finish the sentence, began so
calmly.
Mr.. Drummond was sorely perplexed.
He turned to his mother. She under
stood his look of appeal, and came to
his assistance.
my dear" she said, sit would be
too onerous a position, for a girl like
you to take charge of this large house,
keep things moving along smoothly.
But 1 would like very much to have
that sweet, young voice read over the
thoughts of my favorite author to me.
Would YOU like to come and cheer up
Beryl took the soft. old hand extend
ed to her, and raised it to her lips.
81 could spend my whole life with
you," she said earnestly.
Thanks, dear; now 60 home, and
make your arrangements. Come when
you like, the sooner the BETTER
So Beryl found a home. She entered
upon her duties in the budding May
time. A year passed swiftly away, and
the spring months glidcd on into golden
June, when, one morning, Mr.. Drum
mond said to her:
Il am about to make a change, Miss
Staunton.'
Beryrs heart sank down like lead in
her breast, as her imagination rushed
on in advance to supply the ending of
his sentence. Was he going to send
her away? But she breathed freely
again rs he went on.
Il am about to bring the young ward
of whom YOU have heard us speak so
often-M Miss Norrays home from board
ing-schCol. She is a pleasant girl, and
| hope YOU will he happy in each 9th
er's society. | wish To thank you. now,
before this house viii echo to the sound
of another young voice; for the happi-
ness YOU. have brought into it by your
tieNOtcu Kindness ana aitentiOn 10 my
old mother; and you must not think
you will be less needed when Clara
comes"
His words seemed like an answer to
the thoughts running riot in Bery's
brain Tears rushed to her eyes, and
trembled upon their long lashes. Her
usually pale cheeks flushed to a bril-
liant bloom.
..Ah! MIR. Drummond," she muir
INJURED, IF L could only tell You how
happy you have made me. 1t would
break my heart to leave here where you
have all been so kind to me-"
..And you shall not-must not-think
of such thing. Clare will need you
almost as much as my mother does.''
And Bcryl was content.
Clara Norrays proved to be a bright,
sweet-tempered girl, who made the wide
halls and spacious rooms ring with fun
and frolic. She had no great depth of
character, and shocked Beryl by think
ing Mr.. Drummond her legitimate prey,
as she had done all male creatures since
her babyho0d. She was a born fiirt-