Daily Republican., 1884-05-31
IN TIME OF NEED.
BY CLYDE RAYMOND.


Ora Page leaned over the rough board
fence surrounding her beautiful home,
listening to the chatter of several pref
tiiy dressed ladies who had stopped to
rest beneath the shade of the great elm
that grew just outside Of the little yard.
A dark, browed girl, not hand.
some, whose great smoIdering black
eyes were now gloomy with bitter dis
content. For she had no part in the
gay plans they were discussing-nO
bright future 10 which one could look
forward with the eagerness of hap
"I am going to the sea-shore," ex-
claimed one of the girls merrily,
smoothing down the crisp fiounces of
her new lawn dress. And know
you girls will turn green with envy
when you hear the couquests intend
to make there"
And l." smilingiy announced the
pre.tiest one of all, che who was called
the belle of the vi lage, after all the rest
had had their "say," am going to
the Adirondacks-"
"Oh"' "Ahn' indeed" and $50
is Claude Lytton," were the mischiev-
GUS comments which interrupted the
beauty on every side
She blushed little, but went on I'M
folding her plans and ex patiating on the
glorious times her party expected to
have camping out among the romantic
scenes Of the famous mountains.
"Of courae Claude LyttOn Is going,
but that fact had nothing to do with my
acceptance of the invitation" she add.
ed poutingly.
oh, not at ALL" "of course moi"
1--WE understand" etc, ETC., again
chimed in her saucy companions, while a
battery of rOgush glances were ex-
changed between them.
Al this time they had been perfectly
aware Of Ora's proximity, but what did
they care for ner? She was only a
washerwoman's daughter, and that
meant simply a nobody in their aristo-
ratio eyes.
But, could they have looked down
through those big, sober eyes OF hers
into her heart, they would have seen
some fierce passions stirring there that
they had never dreamed of.
She had worshped Claude Lytton,
the handsome young heir OF I.ytton
Hall ever since she could remember,
They had been schoolmates together be-
fore Claude's college days began, and,
later, be had frequently stopped at the
cottage as the bearer Of messages, or
orders, rather, from his mother. and he
always had pleasant word and a
smile for the washerwoman's = dark eyed
daughter.
In truth, be really admired Ora, for
she was an ambitious girl at school,
and, save for the elegant accomplish
ments which she lacked the means of
obtaining, there was not a better educa.
ted girl in the village.
But little did he guess the wild, hope
less love that his fair face and winning
smile had Inspired III the lonely heart
Of that dark, reserved girl 80 far beneath
him in station.
And never had that love famed up so
bright and strong as now, while lsten-
ing to the idle talk concerning him in
which Miss Mabel Clinton scarcely
tried to veil her sentiments regarding
him.
1t stung Ora to the very soul TO hear
those light, cCmplacent tones speaking
with such careless certainty Of Claude's
intentions, and yet she had heard the
same thing scores Of times from others.
Claude Lytton was the richest and
handsomest young man in the place,
and Mabel Clinton the prettiest girl !;
so what more natural than that they
two should make match of it," as
the village gossips expressed it.
" will go somewhere toe" muttered
Ora to herself as she turned gloomily
away. " | cannot stay here to be treat
ed as nobody by those insolent girls.
Even be looks down upon me, kind and
pleasant though he has always been.
Aud how could bear that? ?" she en-.
ded, in husky whisper, catching her
breath sharply as her thoughts went
forward to the time when Claude and
Mabel would he married.
/" Mother, have made up mind at
last to 20 away from here and earn my
living" she announced, abruptly, as
she entered the boust,. am looked
upon as nobody here, just because we
are so poor, and l cau't bear it any
longer. can get a school, or some
thing of that kind, and be lar more
happy and contented THAI 1 ever can be
here"
And she lost no time in putting her
plans into execution. A place as
governess was soon obtained In dis
tant town, and Ora made her prepa
rations to ~, feeling that she was bid
ding farewell forever to the old life, for
she determined never to return until
Claude was married, or she had ceased
to care for him.
1t wanted but two days of her de-
parture. The "Adriondack party"
were to leave town early the toll wing
day, 50 she had heard, and she sat
to herself the pleasant hustle
of preparation going on at the Hall,
with Ulaude's fair, handsome face, and |
Mabel Citations sparkling beauty in
the midst of it, when one of the gossips |
dropped in with the startling news that
Claude Lytton was down with malig-
,,ant diphtheria, and the servants were
AL leaving the Hall in hot haste.
Ora listened with horror.hlled eyes.
If Claude should die! Oh, that was
worse than anything she had ever
dreamed Of yet.
"What will his poor mother do there
all alone ?" she asked, at length. But
o course" she added, quickly, " Miss
Clinton will remain and help her to
take care of him."
"Indeed, Miss Clinton will do nothing
of the kind" was the scornful answer.
" She's scared half to death already,
and is going away as soon as possible
to morrow. don't know where they |
will get a nurse" she went on, plain
lively, "for rybody is NO morally |
afraid of diphtheria.
"I'll 90 myself" said Ora with sud
den decision. "I'm not afraid of it,and |