The Sedalia weekly bazoo. [volume] (Sedalia, Mo.) 187?-1904, 1885-12-29

opportunity Of showing her devotion to
the human race, her own soul would
grow rich by the quiet effort
Ii had been years since formed this
resolution when Mr.. Gleason, forming
one of party of visitors, came to my
aunt's house. But having company
to cook for in the summer had come
to be a settled thing, and all company
meant to me WAS drudgery, and less
time to read.
There was no prophetic voice to
whisper to my heart. on the morning
of Mr.. Gleason's arrival, that my fate,
my hope and my despair, my blessing
and nv misery had come TO ME. he
was only one more guest, to be cooked
for and to be waited upon by the
drudge.
One day Elsie came to me with her
sweet, weak face fearful and pleading.
"You must help me, Hannah" SAID
she.
Help you do what, child?''
ITO keep Aunt Deborah's good will
and marry MIR. Gleason. You see Mr..
Gleason is very poor, and if aunt
threatens TO disinherit me it may les
sen my chances of getting him."
/ think nv astonlshment and disgust
showed themselves in my face as
answered:
Have you so little confidence in
your promised husband? So little
faith, and yet willing TO be his wife?"
She made an impatient gesture
You don't understand" she said.
slowly and unblushingly. He has
not asked me to be his wife, but he
will. am sure he will He does not
love me very much. but when we are
married, and he sees my devotion. he
will be different"
Then she put her face in my apron
and sobbed bitterly. and knew by her
tears that she had many misgivings.
How can | help you?" | asked.
81 don't know" she replied. through
her tears, "but you can manage any.
thing, am sure. Aunt Deb says you
are to this house what grease is TO an
axle; that is you seem to make every
thing run smoothly"
| could not help smiling as 1 re-
piled:
THAT is the first compliment eveI
received. and | think il is an exceed.
ingly doubtful one. 1t can not be eX.
pected that kitchen drudge can sue.
ceSsfully intermeddle in so delicately g
matter as a love affair. Why, Elsie. j
never was in love in all nv life, and j
daily pray Heaven to preserve me from
any such calamity, because the man
could love would not notice such per
son as l seem TO be-
IL don't know" said Elsie, dubi.
ously. and for the time forgetting her
troubles. There is something about
you different from other servants
something strong and masterful, but ]
think you are troubled with morbid
sensibilitics. Promise Inc you'll help
me if you can, Hannah"
"Yes, | can make that promise with
perfect safety" replied.
formed little plan of action very
speedily. That evening l went tc
Aunt Deborah : room, and being
hidden to enter. my first words were:
al suppose you mean to leave Elsi.
penniless if she marries a poor man?'
Yes" replied she, Il have secured
for her the offer of very eligible hus.
band. If she does not see fit to accept
him, her future must he what she makes
it."
Then said |, Elsie's loss will be
my gain, | hope. Don't fail to con.
slider me after she has flung away heI
chances for some day becoming your
heiress."
Aunt Deborah looked at me steadily
for q 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 10 speak she said:
"You had better have practiced
awhile on some one else before you
tried to overcome my purpose with
strategy. Your face betrays you. You
are not earnest enough, and you are
most MORALLY ashamed of yourself
You know that | am contrary, and
you know that | am always angry with
the person that wrongs Elsie; there
fore you thought that by making me
angry with yourself you could get me
to vow eternal fidelity to Elsie. Not
so. 1t is just as / have said. Elsie
must obey me or she will not receive q
penny from me. As for you. you have
strength and ability to earn your own
living. You know how TO work. and
do not care for the luxuries that money
brings. You do not need my money,
and. further, / do not believe you want
it."
/ turned away with a bitter smile.
How little did my aunt know of my
tastes, only because / was too proud to
make them known! And my intended
aid TO Elsie had proved a failure.
The next afternoon. having had
leisure hour. / went into the library,
intending to carry book up to my
room; but becoming interested in the
volume ! had selected, i forgot my
purpose, and seated myself in an OBJ
scure corner. Not long after the door
opened, and Mr.. Gleason entered. He
spent some time searching among the
hooks and at last turned to the door