Stephens City star. (Stephens City, Va.) 1881-1883, 1883-02-24
with surprise and indignation as ne

Miss ElSon r he EXCLAIMED, Wratn-
fully, "how did this happen?"
81 am sure. sir, 1 do not know
said poor Ella, who was as much
frightened as if the ceiling had fallen.
Il was showing this gentleman a
backgammon board"
"Do not attempt to cover your
faults by falsehood," sternly spoke the
proprietor. at could only have been
your carelessness p
While Miss Amandina Wrangley,
the actual culprit, stood staring at the
overthrow and lacked the moral cour-
age to confess her own guilt.
ma would be so cross if she had to
pay for the artificial bird" said Miss
Amandina to herself. "And maybe
she wouldn't buy me the music-box,
and, anyhow dare say the shop-girl
won't mind little scolding."
elf you did not do it, Miss Elson,"
said Mr. Malcolm, majestically, "who
did,"
al don't know, sir" Ella answered;
with varying color, "but it was
not l."
Don't contradict me-" said the pro-
prietor.
"I must speak the truth" said Ella,
plcadingly. "You asked me, and"
THAT will do" said Mr.. Malcolm,
waving his hand. :" am not accus-
toned to handy words with my en-
ployes. Go to Miss Mason. She will
settle with you to date. l shall not
require your services any longer"
Miss Elson turned and obeyed, al
though blur seemed to come before
her eyes, and a deadly weight op-
pressed the beating of her heart.
Every proper" said Mrs. Wrangley,
approvingly. 1.-The young woman
needs discipline. She seems both OBJ
stinate and stupid.
While Amandina, clinging close to
her mothers side, still maintained a
resolute silence.
The late afternoon sunshine was
just falling out of the little room I'M
der the roof of ruinous old building
near the docks, where Mrs. Elson sat
at work, all surrounded with roses.
Literally, not figuratively-for Mrs
EIson worked for dealer in artificial
flowers, and was making jacqueminot
roses for large order from Bowery
milliner.
She was pale little woman, who spent
her life in rolling she had long
ago lost the use of her limbs-and OF
the floor, beside her, sat child Of
eight years old, playing with the dam
aged bits of red silk discarded by hel
mothers quick fingers.
She looked up with an exclamation
as the door opened.
Mamma" she cried, "it's Ellap
"Ellaw exclaimed Mrs. Elson
"Home, at this time Of day2 MY
dearest, what has happeneo?"
81 am discharged, mammal sale
Ella, endeavoring to speak firmly. +"
} have lost my situation"
} And then flinging herself on tn
floor at her mothers side she buriet
her face in the poor cripples lap ant
burst out crying.
While all this was transpiring some
thing more singular still had taher
place at the store where the automatoI
bird had sung his last cantata and th
music-box that played "Annie Laurie
was being carefully packed up. Mrs
Wrangley was just turning to the doc
when a stout gentleman, who had beer
sitting on red velvet stool, near tn,
entrance, rose up-a ponderous indi
vidual, with fur Innings tohis coat col
lar and a red silk pocket handkerchie
tied around his neck.
"Ahar' said the stout man, with
nod.
"Why, it's Uncle Bob!" said Aman
; dina.
"Oh, my brother!'' said Mrs. Wrang
ley. "Why, Robert, when did yol
come in? p
"I've been here this some time,
said Mr.. Robert Rudford; "I've beer
waiting for you to get through ant
recognize me. Upon my word, siste
Serena, you're capital hand at driv
ing bargain. l couldn't have bough
that music-box to better advantag
myself. Why, the shopman didn't hay
the shadow of chance"
Mrs. Wrangley bit her lip, but sh
!. smiled. Uncle Rudford was persol
t of too much Importance not to be al
lowed to have his own way, even il
) the matter of making disagreeable re
, marks.
"But it wasn't quite the fair thin,
: of you, niece Amandina." went on thi
1 terrible old gentleman, "to let tha
' poor shop-girl lose her place for you
: clumsiness in tipping that automati
bird over and breaking the cover @