The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1885-08-28
A MODERN PARIAH.
How Commenda le Ambition
Found It's Own Reward.

81 s'pose you'll have to come and
stay with me. now. Lisbeth, Yer father
gone an yer brother Joe bin an got
merred.''
The speaker was tall. gaunt woman,
whose eNpressionless face seemed cut
out of solid rock, without one softened
line, even in this hour of trial. Lisbeth
Morton looked up quickly. No, thank
You, aunt Rachel. you have no work for
me, am sure, and l should not like to
be burden. am going to the city,
and intend to get a situation as house.
maid. I'll work a little cheaper than
the others do, if can have time to 90
to the Art School one day in the week
and some of the evenings"
Going out to service?" the hard voice
answered, sneeringly. ..It's Just like
You, anyway; you always was cranky:
but l didn't think my brothers darter
nd stoop so low. What IL Jim Down
ing say?''
Il haven't asked him." replied the
girl.wi,h pourd lifting of her head and
4 vivid color in her cheeks.
''Wcll, you'd better" advised Aunt
Rachel, land if he doesn't put his foot
down on that. my name amt Rachel
jones'. that's ALL"
II shall do as think best for myself, :"
answered Li>beth very quietly, and left
the room TO attend to some household
duties. The gray evening came slowly
on. Brother Joe and his new wife took
Aunt Rachel to her dreary home on their
way TO spend the evening with neigh
Dor. Lisbeth sat down TO her sewing
with fast beating heart. listening at in
tervalS for step she knew so well, that
might at any moment be heard on the
gravel walk beneath the window. She
had not long TO wait, for a gentle knock
was followed by quick opening of the
door in country fashion, ard Young
man, with cloSe-cropped yet dark-curl-
ing hair entered without further cere-
mony. He took her hand and ATTEMPTED
to draw her down TO a chair beside him.
but she sprang lightly up under pre-
tense of turning down the wick of the
lamp for fear ii might crack the glass,
side of the fireplace. Yet the tones of
her voice We're tender. even trembling
as she talked of every day affairs; at
last with some hesitation she said: Il
wanted a chance to tell you that l am
going to the city to stay.
The young man looked surprised, and
there was protest in his voice as he
said: why. Lisbeth, isn't it rather
sudden? You surely don't mean to
stay?"
Yes do" she answered, drearilv.
I'm rot wanted here. Maria takes my
place already and it's right she should,
but it cuts the up dreadfully. I've been
head Of the house, and all Joe had to
depend on so iong-I can't get used to
it,
'.It is only till next year. he pro-
tested. Then my premiership is
finished, and you might take me for
better and for worse"
There was minutes pause. and then
she spoke slowly but with an air of con-
viction. Il couldn't, my clothes would
wear ont; my temper would be soured;
/ should not be worth taking. am not
fit for anything but Homework. father
never thought it mattered for girls. Now
must begin my life and it will be hard
at first. But have just got so far with
my studies in art. want to get further.
so l shall get housemaid's place. and
can save over $4,000 by the time you
are
She never finished her sentence. for he
broke in-"1ou, a servant, Lisbeth
10
So"
Il do not think it degrades me, irving
to earn an honest living. any more than
If ! was dress-maker or music
teacher" she answered with spirit.
His face paled with passion. his dark
ewes glowed. If you 90 to service /
have done with you," he said finally. -
.You have. James Downing said
Lisbeth in cool. calm tones,-''and there
is the door-good evening"
His manner changed. ''Oh, Lisbeth,
be persuaded he said imploringly,
with sound as of tears in his voice.
But she shook her head and did not
speak. as he picked up his cap and FUN
bled for the latch, evidently blind with
grief and anger. Neither of them re-
membered in after years just how they
parted, but the sad break never healed.
and during the weeks that she remained
at the old homestead, Lisbeth did not
again meet her old lover. Miss Arabel-
Ia Downing was strong in her denuncia-
ton of the young girls project. ITO
think our Jim had an idea of marrying
her once" she said in a moment of con.
fidence, "a common servant. It's a
shame for her She might have taken
in sewing, or trimmed hats, or had a
strawberry bed. that's fashionable now.
anything but that. well, she's lost caste
any way and Jim will likely marry
Amelia Blakely, who has little money,
though she isn't as pretty as Lisbeth
Morton. But then beauty's only skin
deer ANYWAY" which must have been a
consolation TO her il her glass was faith
fCi. And SO in this small village,
where every one did their own house.
work. where every farmers wife was
nurse. seamstress, hOusemaid. cook.
all in one. our little foriorn girl was ar
outcast from society because she chose
to do whatever her hands found to dc
well. Aunt Rachel, in a tit of spasmodi(
generosity, made for her twelve large
aprons. of the coarsest crash towing
suitable for sculiery maid in her POI
washing moments, and Lisbeth thanked
her for them with a good grace. But
all these petty trials made the parting
from the old home less severe, and il
was almost with sigh of relief that she
bade farewell to her early associations