The Monitor. [volume] (Woodstown, N.J.) 1884-1892, 1884-02-22

TOOu. AS the carriage mas come we Will De
obliged to excuse ourselves" and after
Come, my dears," she made an elaborate
bow, and gathering up her long robe swept
out of the room, followed by the daughters,
each with murmured apology and bow,
as after stereotyped fashion; the door
closed, and again she was alone.
Alone and she scarcely knew which to do,
laugh or cry. She felt almost hysterical. 1t
was such different thing, this real, from the
ideal picture she had dreamed about. Then
the ludicrous side presented itself, those auto
matte figures and those bows, and, in spite of
her dreary, lonely, chilled condition. she
burst out laughing, the echo of which seemed
to come back, SO silent and empty seemed
those dreary handsome rooms. When AIMS
honest face appeared she felt like making
friends at once, so forlornly dreary did she
feel.
eff you place, ma'am, was to show you
first to your ROOM"
every we'll; I'll 60 at once"
Up two flights, then to back room, and
they paused. The door opened into plainly
furnished room. In fact, each fight seemed
less handsomely furnished. That seemed,
however, small affair, aside from the fact that
it was fireless, and the sharp, frosty Decem-
Der air made it very apparent.
Turning to the woman, who held small
lamp, she said:
Gam, that, believe, is your name, can
not stop to make any preparations in this cold
room. I must go where there is fire, and
then you must make blazing one here. So
we will go down until we come to a fire. and
she laughed softly, whether at the oddness of
the speech or at the prospect of finding
warmth, she scarcely knew. But taking the
lamp from the servant she led the way. Down
she went, followed by Ann all in maze AS
she entered the dining room struggling her
shoulders, she exclaimed "Cold as Green
land" then passed through into the kitchen
where feeble fire was burning in the range.
"Oh, 1 will show you how to make a fire, !"
and suiting the action to the words blaze
was soon roaring and cheerful glow of light
and warmth pervaded the room, Ann, mean
while, muttering protests and misgivings.
"Nonsense, am in my uncle's house, and
because the family happen to be out Pm not
going to freeze to death. Now, Ann, if you
please, place that small table by the fire and
bring my lunch out here Give me a good
supply, as l have not dined only lunched,
today
At the tone, the voice, poor Ann felt she
must obey, but still kept talking to herself
"An' it's tn nice muss I'll be in wild niver
bit of kindling for tn morthin' fire. An
l.
nary bit O bread nor drap O. milk for the
morthin' But at ill tn likes O. me be dom
wild tn 'igh-'anded ways O her jst Shure
it's nothin' at all at ALL and more's TIL bad
luck to me jist."
When, as she had predicted the last drap
O. milk " went plump in the audacious lady's
cup, she could stand it no longer.
Och, but it's the scoldin' I'll be afther
takin, and be losing my place in the bargain,
shure"
"Never you fear, but just 60 up stairs and
hurry up that fire. Mind, have it hot there,
and when it is come and tell me-"
Away poor Ann went, still muttering. But
Maria Rivington had her way, as she was
wont to do. Then, when she had finished
the tiny biscuits and flakes of ham and found
no more, she turned to the now comfortable
fire, and as she warmed herself light-an
answer to some of the wherefores presented
itself The problem no longer seemed
difficult, only new and interesting. So by
the time faithful Ann appeared she felt in
better spirits.
Placing a dollar in her hand she babe her
good night. CHANGING back as she left the
room she saw the woman spreading her hands
over the grateful heat Going to her room,
warmed if not filled, she thought
81 have made the poor creature comfort
able, if l did give her trouble. 1t seems like
sheer nonsense, though, to think of what she
said as being true. However, she appears
like an obliging, honest person. What if it
is, and l am to remain here whole year
But then, it's not forever and a soft, happy
light stole in her face.
She found comfortable fire, and as the
room was not large it began to be felt, and
with it more of home feeling than she had
eynerienced since her arrival
distant hum faint rumbling was heard.
Maria opened her eyes and saw-not distant
mountains, wooded hills and all that make up
fine country scene, such as her eyes had SO
long looked upon, but instead grim walls and
chimneys that looked like so many mast-tops
in crowded harbor.
Nature had been silently at work during
the night, and first had given them covering
of pure white snow Then the elements COM
bined, as it were, had spread DER it glisten-
with thousands of diamonds
CHANGING at her watch she saw it was late.
"Well, / must hasten" There was faint
rap at the door. 1t was Ann with warm
water for her toilet. She noticed the poor
womans eyes were red and swollen as though
she had been weeping.
g l do wonder if they made fuss over that
poor creature. Well, I'll look out for her,
and myself too" Coming into the dining
room she was met by her uncle.
''Good morning, Maria. This is your
cousin Paul." and a fine bright lad came forth
and greeted her pleasantly There was an
honest straightforward look in the blue eyes,