Knoxville daily chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1870-1882, 1881-09-18
COMFY FOR HIS SAKE,o


One DluSterouS night Mrs. Jerning-
ham leaned back in her cozy armchair
with sigh of selfish comfort as she
held the Japanese screen between her
delicate face and the ardent fire.
She was a handsome woman, who
wore diamonds and velvet as queen
wears her royal rObcs-a wealthy wO-
man used to command and control;
naughty and dogmatic in her positive
ness.
And this evening she was in her
most positive, imperious mood, rs she
sat there, making her decision about
Lila Barton.
Then she rang for lights, and by the
servant sent message for Miss Bar
ton to wait upon her as soon as Mas
ter Horace and Miss Gineyra could
dispense with her services.
1t was ten minutes later when Lila
oDeyed the summons and came into
Mrs Jerningham's presence slen-
der, pale-taced girl of sixteen or sew
enteen, with lovely brown ewes, soft
as velvet, and agreat mass Of brown
hair ON her small, graceful head-a
delicate, refined, thoughtful-looking
girl, who bore the indisputable traces
of having worked almost beyond her
strength.
She came quietly near to Mrs. Jer-e
ningham, and stood awaiting that
lady's pleasure.
Il sent to have word with you on
o subject very distasteful to me, in
deed, Miss Barton" Mrs. Jerninp-
ham began, coldly. 81 refer to q dis ,
play of forwardncss and boldness on
your part towards certain gentlemen
! might name, which has been called
to my attention more than once. l de-
sire to say that l shall not tolerate
any further attempts on your part,
Miss Barton, to firt with gentlemen
visiting at the house-notably with
Doctor Dormer. All, do not inter-
rupt Inc, and, I am Indignantly sorry
to say, my son also !!
AIRS. Barton, you"
Lila attempted to gasp her protest;
but the cold, relentless voice reso-
lutely hushed her. -.
"Denials are more than useless, Miss
Barton. 1t is q notorious fact that
You, mere servant-a common nur-
ry-governess and seamstress, boldly
attempted to engross Doctor Dor
mers attention last night and one or
two evenings last week when you
were ordered to attend to the chill
dreh LII the drawing room. Again,
upon more than one occasion, you
nave inyelglcd my son into converse
uoAs with yOu-you, whom his mo-
ther hires as Il servant! Miss Barton,
! have"
Lila was standing there, white and
shlycring, her eyes full Of Mortified
modification and insulted pride.
"Mrs. birmingham" she interrupted,
hotly, Il cannot permit you to launch
such torrent Of abiise at me. 1t is
not true that have tried to tlirt with
your guests or your son. Doctor
Dormer spoke to Inc, and l answered,
as anyone would have done. AS to
Your SOIL"
And her lips curled involuntarily-
gesture which did not escape Mrs.
Jerningham's eyes.
"We will not discuss the subject
further. You have acted disgrace-
fully, and, in justice to my little
innocent children, have decided to
remove them from your care over
them. You are discharged from to-
night, and i'll place of months no.
tice you can have months WAGES ma
is my custom with all my servants
AS to character" and the cold eyes
took malicious look at the pale
trembling girl, ''of course, that is out
Of the question. That will do, Miss
Barton"
She pushed some gold pieces to-
wards her, but Lila did not touch
them.
Instead, her face grew suddenly cold
and naughty, and she walked out
without any further protest.
And, somehow, Mrs. BIRMINGHAM
realized that she had done something
more than simply discharge ser.
Want.
otis a shame-s burning shame p
Aunt Tabith said, Indignantly. at
seems to me that nowadays the rich
do nothing but grind the poor. You
poor child, you-don't cry any more
about it! That birmingham woman
isn't any very great shakes herself
you take my word for it, or she'd not
be thinking such things about you.
Don't cry, Lila. Cheer up, and we'll
90 out for . walk in the park this
Afternoon, ehr
= But Lila would not cheer up, MOI