The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1885-06-27

story. | heard myself cry over and over
Am I a thief? Am / y
She was weeping. She clasped her two
arms about me, saying:
No, no; anybody would have done what
you did. You can easily restore the ring
to its owner You shan't even be found
out. I'll help you-I will :"
Then | tainted, and when | came to my
senses she had me laid on the lounge and
was doing everything for my recovery in
her ordinary, composed, methodical fash
ion
She would not let me talk much; said |
should share her room since she had none
vacant: and, while she was speaking, her
boy appeared to say the collector was in
the haIl-he had come for the money
paid the six pounds. With what she
had already it completed the rent, and
when she had finished the business she
came back.
She would not hear Of my going out to
insert the advertisement until had slept.
The children, with the exception of Willie,
were away at school.
The room would be quiet, and after a
nap Ishould feel strong again, she said.
I did not think could sleep, but | did;
and it was late in the afternoon before |
woke.
Little Willie was sitting by the corridor.
He said his mother was busy upstairs.
put on my bonnet and shawl, babe him
tell her that [ had gone to the newspaper
office, and would return as soon as | could.
1t was nearly dusk when | got back. |
was somewhat relieved in my mind to know
that my advertisement would appear in the
morning, but | was still miserable enough,
though unable to decide whether | had
done wicked thing in pawning the ring
or not.
Mrs. Lawrence had been crying again, |
could see. She was silent and preoecupied,
but very kind to me. She insisted on my
having supper with her and the children,
and ther helped her to put them to
bed
We were sitting together little later in
the kitchen, when the postman's S knock
made me start.
| opened the window He handed in
several letters. Mrs Lawrence asked for
whom they were. | read the addresses,
and saw my name on the last.
"Here is one for me. | said, in sur
prise
@Some good news, maybe" she answer.
ed 'sI'll take the others upstairs while you
read it.
[ had no correspondents; had not adver-
tised for situation for more than fort
night and was puzzled at what it meant.
[ opened the letter and read:
@Wil Fl F." it said, "whose advertise
ment for position as governess or compan-
ion appeared several times in the Times
during the month of August, please call,
at her earliest convenience, on Mrs. Nor
ley, at the address given below?"
| cannot describe what I felt. But
had endured so many disappointments-
suffered so much, that I think 1 should
have had no hope of any good accruing had
it not been for Mrs. Lawrence's encourage
ment.
at was borne in upon her, she said
''that my troubles were over.
fell asleep with that soothing assurance
sounding in my ear.
She was equally confident the next morn-
ing. The larger part of my wardrobe had
been disposed of, but could still make a
tolerably respectable appearance. Even at
the cost of lacking food had recognized
the necessity for doing that if l ever hoped
for a situation.
As early as was reasonable | set forth on
my errand I could not trust myself to
harbor hopes; 1 fixed my mind on any triv-
ial matter | could find, but under every
thought the recollection of what [ had done
with the ring smarted like coal of fire at
my heart.
[ reached the house; it was stately
mansion in Belgrave square. | rang the
bell, outwardly composed, | think, but des-
perate rather than courageous,
/ gavo the footman nay card, on which |
had written my errand, and was shown In
to a reception room to wait.
The morning journals lay upon the table;
l picked up a paper, read my advertise
ment, and just below it saw announced the
loss of that very ring, with promise of a
reward to any person who should return it
to the office of William Stuart
| had paper and pencil in my pocket,
and had just copied the address, when the
door opened and an elderly lady entered
the room. Even at my first glance she
impressed me as the loveliest and most
winning woman of her age that | had ever
seen.
Her hair was snow-white, but her black
eyes were as brilliant as at seventeen, her
complexion was still fair and smooth, and
her small figure was erect as dart, She
was such digpifed looking little dame
that | might have been afraid of her but
for that pathetic smile and for the melody
of the low voice with which she now greet
ed me so graclously.
We talked for few moments, then she
said;
II had cut out your advertisement while
in the country. / remembered it yester,
day. having been disappointed in several
quarters. 1 am rather a solitary woman.
and [ wish companion. I like young
people; | am passionately fond of music; !
am Unsuitable, too, in the matter of having
French novels and italian poetry read to
me- I want the society of a lady of whom
| can really make companion, l don't
keep poodle, and I'm not very bad tenn
pered, with pleasant laugh, $50 I'm not
like an old woman in novel; y
Presently I was seated at the piano to
exhibit my skill, and [ speedily forgot
everything in the enhancing delights
which playing Qhopin's music always
caused me. | must add that had been
able to keep in practice through the kind
ness of an old musical professor, who oc-
cupied a room in Mrs Lawrence's house,
and had allowed me the use of his instru-
ment
Mrs. Morley was pleased [ saw by her
criticism that she understood what she was
talking about read to her in French
and Italian both of which languages had
been as familiar to me from childhood as
my own.
But in spite of her cncomium | had nc
hope when she came to ask for reference
for [ had none at hand to give. [ SAID
abruptly:
Il can only give YOU written reference
that of Mr.. Basil Howard, He is now
on the continents you probably don't know