Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1885-03-28


SelWyn with a quivering lip; "but Z do
not know what else Is to be done. 1t
was your fathers ambition to keep YOU
at school, and we have strained every
/ nerve to pay Madame DOrient's bills
until you should graduate"
Kate thought Of her Italian poets. her
great piles on piles of music-books, her
French authors, her Water-colOr sketches,
the crayOns she had been so proud OF,
with a choking lump in her throat. Of
what use were they all in this moment
of dire necessity?
She could not force herself on anyone
as a gOVerness, she could not compel
people to buy her pictures.
And the pale little mother wasting
away by degrees, and the tOttering par
alytic father, whose feebl5ness was so
painfully apparent to her now, although
she had scarcely observed it at first.
81 must do something" she thought.
81 have been a drag and a hindrance
long enough. We must hire a little ser
want to help mamma. And papa must
have something Of this load of debt
lifted from his poor bowed shoulders.
Oh, what can I do? Whittier shall 1
turn? For with all my expensive edu-
cation, it seems to me now as if 1 knew
absolutely nothing"
And Kate SelWyn resolved that she
would ask Mr.. Varian, the kind family
friend, that came to see them so often,
who sent the white grapes that tempted
her mothers appetite when nothing else
did, who brought the illustrated neWspa-
pers to papa, and had so many bright
ideas and suggestions from the outer
world to cheer up Kate herself, when her
spirits were at the lowest ebb.
More than this, she had learned from
her mother that he wanted to lend them
money, but the old Selwyn pride had
risen up in arms against that. But she
did not ask his advice. She decided
finally for herself.
Mamma" she said, coming cheerfully
home one day, "you must manage to do
without ME for a little while now. 1
have engaged Linda Dartly to help you,
and"
''NIy child, what does this mean - said
Mrs. SelWyn.
at means, mamma, said Kate with a
low curtesy, that have taken a posi-
ton in the factory"
"YOu Kate!" gasped the dismayed
mother. GA factory grip
"Why not, mammal" appealed Kate.
81 only wish that you could see some of
the girls there. They are as perfect Ia
dies as you would meet in any drawing
room in the land. And the machines
are worked by steam-power, and the
foreman IS so kind and polite; and only
think, mamma, shall earn from ten to
fifteen shillings a week, if am a skillful
hand"
Mrs. Selwyn burst into tears.
ooh, Kate, my Kate" she faltered, 81
never felt our loss so aCutely as 1 do
now"
"And I" said Kate brightly, "never
felt so proud as do now. Oh, mamma,
have spent my first months earnings
in anticipation already. "You don't
know. what an heiress 1 feel"
"a new hand" said Mr.. Varain, care
lessly, as he glanced over the books of the
steam factory. 'But really, Mr.. Hardie,
have nothing to do with the hands you
may see fit to engage It was quite un-
necessary to consult me-"
For Mr.. Varain, a silent partner in this
driving concern, had lOunged in as usual
to glance over the books laid open for his
quarterly examination.
"No, sir. I know that" said Hardie re-
spectfully, "but this isn't an ordinary
case, Mr.. Varian; it's old DR.. SelWyn's
daughter"
Mr.. Varian was reused into animation
at last.
"She came here, sir" explained the
foreman, "and said that she had been
learning to work the machine, and that
she wanted to earn money to help her
parents. OF course, I was a little doubt
full as to her experience at first, but / find
she is a frst-class operator, and"
"What floor is she On?" Mr.. Varian
hurriedly asked.
Number four, sir"
Mr.. Varian waited until the big bell
changed for the dismissal of the hands,
and then he joined Kate Selwyn as the
came out. Kate cOlOred, but she smiled
as she saw him.
81 never knew, until to-day, Mr.. Vra-
lar" she said; chat you were one Of the
proprietors of this factory"
Neither was /, j" he answered, "untl
last month, whenI fell heir to my uncle's
share in 1t. But have always had, more
or less, charge of his affairs here"
"I suppose" said Kate, her long eye
lashes dropping, that you are recalling
in your secret mind the silly speeches I
made about faCtOry-girls, not so very long
ago. But I am wiser now. There is no
teacher like experince.
"On'the contrary" he exclaimed eager
ly. 81 only await an opportunity to tell
you how infinitely respect your spirit
and courage. Miss SelWyn, I have adj
mired you for a long time, but now the
feeling assumes an entirely different
type. May dare to say openly that
love your"
'Mr. Varian," said Kate, with flicker
ing color his cheeks, you are rich. 1 am
only a poor wOrking-gir
Kate, I shall be poor indeed, if you
refuse me the grert boon of your love.
And in all respects, dearest, you are a
fit bride for a king said Mr.. Varian
with enthusiasm. ANSWER me, Kate, I
cannot live on in suspense"
The answer came soft, slow, and indis-
tinct; but such as it was it entirely sat
isfied Mr.. Varian. And Miss SelWyn did
not long remain a factOry-girl.
But she had learned a lesson. The
lesson that a WOrking-girl need not nee
a-.n-il-- 1900 Il, La q L. 40 H. :.