Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1884-08-08

might nave SOOtned MS lltLle tIO, uIu
the man talk and comfort the weeping
girl. Then she told her pathetic yet
commonplace story.
Left to the care Of selfish, tyran-
nical step mother at the early age OF
ten years, she had known nothing
but privations and hardshlps. DC
cupying a position in the family,
lower than that of servant even,
she was compelled, not only to labor
far beyond her strength, butte wait
upon her step-mother's Indolent
daughters. There had been never
kind word for the lonely child nor a
minute to call her own. Naturally OF
a warm, loving nature, her life had
at length become intolerable; and
penniless and alone she had gone
forth to battle with the cold world.
The simple story, told in the half
trust ng, half shy manner, went
straight to the heart Of the listener.
What if it were, Flor?" he said to
himself. How old are you, my
poor child?" mot quiet seventeen,
Sir" 80 young and unprotected,
he solilequized with a troubled face.
But how came you on my door,
stepl' The girl shot a frightened
glance at the stern old housekeeper
as she ans Hered tlmidly: Il was ask
ing for work" Vernon turned IN
quirin.ly toward the woman.
You know my opinion of tramps,
she said doggedly.
With flush of anger on his pale
face, he sternly babe her keep silent.
Prompted by generous pity he adoed:
"Millie, henceforth consider this
your home unless you can do better,
Mrs. Kay can divide her duties with
you. [ will pay you months wages
in the morning. And now, madam,
show her to room and see that she Is
made comfortable.
A month passed rapidly by. Some
way Warren Vernon found himself
hurry ing homeward a meal time with
a keen appreciation of the fact that
pair of innocent, dark eyes watched
for him coming, and that a sweet,
wistful face would confront HIM at
the table. The housekeeper growled
and scolded. She did not want any
beggars around her, and there was
nothing for her to do. She really
feared Vernon was daft.
"Millie, couldn't we have the house
opened up and let the sunlight IN to-
day?' queried the master, one. bright,
frosty morning. From that on, the
place gradually lost its gloom and
funcra! appearance. One evening he
found his protege asleep IN an arm
chair, tear drops on her lashes, and
volume of Milton,open before her
DO you care for poetry?' he after
ward asked her. A sudden light
Illuminated; her eountenance as she
almost whispered: ooh! so much,
but / have hardly read any, and
some Of it | can not understand. >
After that they read together, and
her mind seemed to mature and rlpen
with each passing hour. Music, too,
she loved, but fingers and tongue
were alike dumb He sometimes
played for her and felt well repaid by
her grateful, happy smile.
But outside, gossips were ON the
wing. Just as | told you, cried one.
Shameless creature to stay there, y
cried second. "a regular tramp,
sneered a third. Mrs. Kay says he
seems to think heap of her" IN
terpolated fourth.
I'm just going to write to limo
gen; smother, for | really think 1t
duty to6t her know how things are
going on" affirmed fifth.
81 have remarked several times of
late how cheerful he is looking, an
nouAced another.
"Why, you seem to forget that Mr..
Vernon is but hannah like the rest of
the world Would you have HIM go
about with sad countenance and
heavy heart all his days2 He has not
reached his prime yet, and life IS be-
fore him" Thus spoke the gentle
woman who had once before eSpoused
his cause.
cont we all know you, Mrs. Dewy.
No one has fault in your eyes,
laughed the lady or the left.
Returning home late, one evening,
Warren VernoH found his young
friend bathed in tears, while little
Flos grandmother marched like
grim sentinel from room to room. Ia
an instant The storm burst. So sud
denly and unexpectedly it came that
only confused recollection Of harsh
epithetS and cruel accusations remain
ed when, breathless and exhausted
she sank into chair.
please Mr.. Vernon, | will go at
once said qUlvering voice at his
side. YOU'D better. shameless crea-
ture, cried the old lady Historically.
The idea of your coming here with
your baby.face and turning my
darling's house up side down before
she is fairly cold in her grave. War
rem yoa can not mean 1t.
MEAN lrhuf3' he answered i'll help
less establishment.
"Why, mean TO disgrace your
Imogene's memory by taking another
la fill her place SO So:n.
With Il moan of pain the young
man turned away. Whose work is
tiis;" ne demanded fiercely. "Millie.
send Mrs. Kay here" The house
keeper assured HIM, ably seconded by
his mother-in-law, that it was none of
her doing; the latter firmly refusing to
name her informant.
90 uHtTTluSIN httu lllI SIiiie oSSh
sent that it opened anew the terrible
wound in the honest, sensitive soul,
and for the time unnamed him. lie
had treated the poorchild rather better
than he would have real servant,
but only as he would have done had
she came in his way before his wife's
death, or as he would want stranger
to treat Flo, were she similarly stu
atcd.
Then send her away at once, and
close up the house until decent
period of time has elapsed, was the
sSlem reply, as the afflicted woman
brushed a speck of dust from her
Grape scarf.
That evening the train for l..
carried delicate, child-like passenger
whose dark eyes were heavy with uu-
shed tears. In her hand was roll of
bills left ,tkere by her only living
friend as he had held ii for moment
at parting. Remember, dear child,
| am still your friend, but for your
own sake, and that of my precious
dead, | let you go. Write sometime
that l may know if ali Is we'll, !" he
had SAID. and then the brief happi
ness of her life went out in despair.
Again the old life reigned IN the
l : b,