The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1885-08-29
"A MODERN PARIAH.
How Commenda lie Ambition
Found It's Own Reward.

OuuO LUIS OWA NOW cI0s
81 s'pose you'll have to come and
stay with me, now, Lisbeth, yer fathers
gone an' yer brother Joe bin an got
merred."
The speaker was tall, gaunt woman,
whose expressionless 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 / should not like to
be burden. am going to the city,
and intend to get situation as house
maid III work little cheaper than
the others do, if l can have time to go
to the Art School one day in the week
and some of the evenings"
Going out to service?" the hard voice
answered, sneeringly. sits just like
you, anyway; you always was cranky;
but l didn't think my brothers darter
'ud stoop SO low. What III Jim Down
ing sayP"
II haven't asked him." replied the
girl, with pourd lifting of her head and
vivid color in her cheeks.
"Well, you'd BETTER" advised Aunt
Rachel "and 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 Lisbeth 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 gentle knock
was followed by quick opening of the
door in country fashion, aud a 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 chair beside him.
but she sprang lightly. up under pre-
tense of turning down the wick of the
lamp for fear it might crack the glass,
and then seated herself on the opposite
side of the fireplace. Yet the tones of
her voice were tender, even trembling
as she talked of every day affairs; at
last with some hesitation she said 81
wanted chance to tell you that | 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
suddene You surely don't mean to
stayP"
"Yes do" she answered, drearily,
I'm not wanted here. Maria takes my
place already and it's right she should,
but it cuts me up dreadfully, I've been
head of the house, and all Joe had to
depend on SO long-I can't get used to
it."
at is only till next year." he pro-
tested. Then my premiership is
finished, and you might take me fol
better and for worse"
There was a minutes pause, and the1
she spoke slowly but with an air of con
viction 81 couldn't, my clothes would
wear out; my temper would be soured
Ishould not be worth taking. am moi
fit for anything but homework, father
never thought it mattered for girls. Now
Unjust begin my life and it will be hare
at first. But have just got so far witt
my studies in art, want to get further
so shall get housemaid's place, anC
can save over $4,000 by the time yol
are"
She never finished her sentence, for h,
broke in-"You, servant, Lisbeti
Morton, you will not degrade yourself
So"
Il do not think it degrades me, trying
to earn an honest living, any more thar
If | was dress-maker or music
teacher" she answered with spirit.
His face paled with passion, his darl
eyes glowed. IF you go to service
have done with you" he said finally.
"You have, James Downing!" saiC
Lisbeth in cool. calm tones,-"and Their
is the door-good evening"
His manner changed. "Oh, Lisbeth
be persuaded" he said imploringly
with a sound as of tears in his voice
But she shook her head and did no
speak, as he picked up his cap and fun
bled for the latch, evidently blind witt
grief and anger. Neither of them re
membered in after years just how the
parted, but the sad break never healed