Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1885-03-26

and the bakers cart clattered by with
out taking any heed whatsoever of
Mrs. Selwyn's beckoning finger.
Mamma, said Kate, 1--WE cannot
live SO"
alt is very hard, my dear, said Mrs.
Selwyn with a quivering lip; ''but l 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 D'Orient'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 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 feebleness was so
painfully apparentto to her now, although
She had scarcely observed 1T at first.
II must do something" she thought,
II have been drag and a hindrancc
long enough. We must hire a little
servant to help mamma. And papa
must have something of this load of
debt lifted from his poor bowed shoul-
ders. Oh, what can l doP Whittier
shall turn? For with all my expensive
education, it seems to me now as if l
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 tempt
ted her mothers appetite when nothing
else did, who brought the illustrated
newspapers 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 cheer
fully home one day, ''you must man.
age to do without me for little while,
now. have,engaged Linda Dartly to
help you, and"
MY child, what does this mean,"'
said Mrs. Selwyn.
alt means, mamma" said Kate with
low curtsy, 'that l have taken posi-
ton in the factory"
"You, Kate!' gasped the dismayed
mother. "A factory girln'
"Why not, mammal" appealed Kate.
II only wish that you could see some
of the girls there. They are as perfect
ladies as you would meet in any draw
ing room in the land. And the ma
chimes are worked by steam-power, and
the foreman is so kind and polite; and
only think, mamma, shall earn from
ten to fifteen shillings week, if l am
a skillful hand"
Mrs. Selwyn burst into tears.
"Oh, Kate, my Kate" she faltered,
II never felt our loss so acutely as 1
do now."
"And l." said Kate brightly, "never
felt SO proud as l do now. Oh, man.
ma, | have spent my first months
earnings in anticipation already. "You
don't know what an heiress 1 feel"
"a new hand" said Mr.. Varian,
carelessly, as he glanced over the books
of the steam factory. ''But really, Mr..
Hardie, l have nothing to do with the
hands you may see fit to engage. 1t
was quite unnecessary to consult me-"
For Mr.. Varian, silent partner in
this driving concern, had lounged in as
usual, to glance over the books laid
open for his quarterly examination.
"No, sir, l know that" said Hardie
respectfully, ''but this isn't an ordinary
case, Mr.. Varian; It's old DR.. Sclwyn's
daughter.
Miss Selwynp"
Mr.. Varian was reused into anima-
ton at last.
"She came here, sir" explained the
foreman, land said that she had been
learning to work the machine, and that
she wanted to earn money to help her
parents. OF course, | was little
doubtful as to her experience, at first,
but find she is a tirst-class operator,
and"
"What floor is she onp" 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 she
came out. Kate colored, but she
smiled us she saw him.
Il never knew, until to day, Mr.. Va
rian," she said, ''that you were one of
the proprietors of this factory
"Neither was IT, he answered, Sum
til last month, when fell heir to my
uncle's share in it. But have always
had, more OF less, charge of his affairs
here"
II suppose" said Kate, her long eye
lashes dropping, "that you are recall
ing in your secret mind the silly
speeches / made about factory girls,
not SO very long ago. But am wiser
now. There is no teacher like expert
ence."
"On the contrary" he exclaimed
eagerly. 81 only await an opportunity
to tell You how infinitely respect your
spirit and courage. Miss Selwyn, 1
have admired you for a long time, but
now the feeling assumes an entirely
different lype. May | dare to say OPEN
ly that love you?"
"Mr. Varian," said Kate, with flick
ering color on her cheeks, "you are
rich. I am only poor working-gi "
"Kate, l shall be poor indeed, if you
refuse me the great boon of your love.
And in all rnsnactS dearast vOu are a