Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1882-07-27
Chow can I help you?' 7 asked.

axle; that is, you seem to make every
thing run smoothly"
1 could not help smiling as I re-
piled:
"That is the first compliment I evel
received, and think it an exceedingly
doubtful one. It cannot be expected
that kitchen drudge can successfully
lntermeddle in 80 delicate matter as O
love affair. Why, Elsie, was never in
love in all my life, and I daily pray
Heaven to preserve me from any such
calamity, because the man l could love
would not notice such person as I
seem to be-"
81 don't know" said Elsie, dubious.
ly, and for the time forgetting her
troubles. "There is something about
You different from other servants
something strong and masterful but I
think you are troubled with morbid
sensibilities. Promise that you'll help
me if you can, Hannah"
"Yes, can make that promise with
perfect safety" I replied.
formed little plan of action very
speedily. That evening I went to
Aunt Deborah's room, and being bidden
to enter, my first words were:
ST suppose you mean to leave Elsie
penniless, if she marries poor man."
"Yes," replied she, "I have secured
for her the offer of very eligible hus-
band. II she does not see fit to accept
him her future must be whatever she
makes it,"
Them" said I, "Elsie's loss will be
my gain, hope. Don't fail to consider
me after she has flung away her
chances for some day becoming your
heiress."
Aunt Deborah looked at me steadily
for moment, as if she felt inclined to
think was taking leave of my senses;
then she sat in her chair and laughed
long; laughed until her round face was
very red indeed. AS soon as she WAS in
a condition to speak, she said:
"You had better have practiced
awhile on some ono else before you
tried to overcome my purpose with
strategy. Your face betrays you. You
are not earnest enough, and you are
most mortally ashamed OF yourself.
You know that am contrary and you
know that I am always angry with the
person that wrongs Elsie; therefore,
you thought that by making me angry
with yourself, you could get me to VOW
eternal fidelity to Elsie. Not 80. 1t is
just as have said. Elsie must obey
me or she will not receive penny from
me. As for you, you nave strength and
ability to earn your own living. You
know how to work, and do not care for
the luxury that money brings. You do
not need my money, and further, 1 do
not believe you want it."
I turned away with a bitter smile.
How little did my aunt know of my
tastes, only because I was too proud to
make them knowni' And my intended
aid to Elsie had proved failure.
The next afternoon, having leisure
hour, went into the library, intending
to carry q book up to my room but
becoming interested in the volume
had selected I forgot my purpose, and
seated myself near a window in an OBJ
scure corner. Not long after the door
opened, and Mr.. Gleason entered. He
spent some time searching among the
books, and at last turned to the door
with empty hands and an air of dis
appointment. Then I rose and sug.
gested that might perhaps be able to
find for him whatever he wanted.
He turned and surveyed me for a
brief moment; then asked:
Whom do l address?"
"Hannah Allston, the cook and floor
scrubber," answered.
ST was searching for work on archi-
lecture, and am disappointed at not
finding 1t, because wished to settle q
warm argument, fast descending to dis
pute, which left in full progress in
the drawing room. am sure could
establish my point if I had the book 1
saw here yesterday"
I returned to the aforementioned
corner, and produced the volume had
been perusing with so much intere est.
"This is probably what you were
looking for, sir" said.
He took the volume from my hand
with evident pleasure and just as evil
dent surprise.
"La1ies do not usually care for this
sort of literature" he said, apologeti
cally, when he saw that I had read his
face.