The Brookhaven leader., 1885-04-02
BEYOND CRITICISM.
t"A. R." 10 Philadelphia Call

lou are not IN earnest, Mr.. Iheo-
dore9'
''Uf course ! am in earnest, Della.
You're the prettiest little piece Of roses
and dimples ever saw. Don't your
glass tell you the same thingl Ten
o'clock. Why, where on earth has the
time slipped TO? / ought to have been
down town half an hour ago. It's all
your fault, Della
And Mr. Theodore st. Nolens hurried
off, chucking Della stephens under the
chin as he went by.
81 wonder" thought Della, 'if he
really loves me- | wonder -"
bella Della! what are you loiter-
ing about| cried shrill, high-pitched
voice. Ten O'Clock, and the poodle not
washed, the canaries neglected, and the
drawing room not busted. Really, Del
la, don't know what's come to you of
late"
II was detained I'm just through
here, ma am" faltered Della, flushing
crimson up to the very roots of her hair
as she hurried out of the room
leila stephens was Mrs St Volens'
parlormaid and especial attendant. She
had been a milliner's apprentice before
the rich lady saw her aud took a fancy
to her, when sbe-Mrs. st. ' olens-was
debating as to the trimming of fall
hat.
How much do you get here" said
Mrs. st. Nolens, and Della answered
meekly:
only my board, ma'am"
''l'll give you 80 month, said Mrs.
St Nolens.
And Della Stephens abandoned her
trade and came to live with the rich
lady.
She was farmers daughter from a
little inland village, and now that she
had obtained the fine situation, as it
seemed to her, she wrote home a letter
OF triumph.
Il might have stayed there in the
wilderness all my days" wrote Della,
'and never earn anything more than
my board"
1t was half an hour or 80 afterward,
and Della was busy fixing some wide
Valenciennes lace for her mistress, when
Mrs. st. Nolens' shrill voice summoned
her upstairs. And Della knew from
the very accent that something was
wrong.
Mrs. st. Volens stood in the middle
Of the room as Della entered it, red
spot on either cheek, and bit of card
board in her hand.
Look here, Della Stephens" said
she. The housekeeper has just brought
this to me-a photograph of my nephew,
Theodore. She says she found it in your
ROOM
Della turned scarlet, and felt instinc-
lively in her bosom.
Il must have dropped it, said
she, scarce considering her words.
Then it is yoursi'
YES" faltered Della
How came you by it," sternly
catechsed Mrs It. Nolens.
He gave it to Inc.
"Hef Who"
''Mr. Theodore"
Mrs. st. Nolens' face grew grim and
hard as adamant. 'lou are dis
charged, said she, turning on her heels.
And Della, stunned and bewil lerel,
went up to her room to pack her few
belongings and think what she should
do next.
Mr.. Theodore st. Volens was con-
siderably surprised that afternoon to see
his aunt's maid walk into the down
town Office.
Little Della cried he, clapping a
pair of eye glasses to his eyes. 1T isn't
possible
Yes" said Della, 'it is /. Oh, Mr..
Theodore, what am to do' Your aunt
has dismissed me"
Dismissed you! And why!" de-
manded the young man.
''hhe-she found your picture in my
possession, faltered Della, beginning to
cry.
And what a precious fool you have
been to let her find it, sail he impa-
tiently. What else could you expect,
Dellal'
"And what am to do now9" she ques-
toned, piteously,
"DoF' repeated Mr.. st. Volens.
why, get another situation to be
sure"
How can with no referencc' And
Now, look here" said Theodore, irri-
bly,, ''all this is no business of mine.
don't see why you should come here
bothering me"
mo business of yours?" vaguely re-