The Opelousas courier., 1885-08-15

ho ~ IA oAE"
of Miss Comfort Walker. And she
told the story of Ellen O,Brien and
her wrongs.
MAY / ask, Miss Walker, why you
interest yourself so markedly in this
affair 2? the banker asked, with a cold,
measured calm that contrasted
strangely with the little woman's heat
and furry.
because I think no man has a right
to cheat a poor woman out of her
hard earned money"
"Cheat is a strong word, Miss Wal
kerr" observed the landlord.
"It's the only correct word in this
case. MI. Carlyon," retorted Miss Com
fort, secretly maryelling at her own
courage in thus daring to confront
the stately banker.
Perhaps he is owing something to
yourself9" questioned the banker,
keenly.
Eyes, sir, he u.s." Miss Comfort made
answer. "But it isn't that / came
about. l am quite able to attend to
my own financial debts, even to lose a
little if it should be necessary, but this
poor woman is friendless and alone"
Mr.. Carlyon glanced at his watch.
Miss Comfort turned toward the door.
II an sorry that my time is no
longer at my own disposal" said he
c%ourteously.
And Miss Comfort went away al
most crying.
"Now I've made an enemy of him,
as well as Mr.. Leotard, and haven't
done the least good in the world" she
thought. "And he will let the house
to some n else in the spring, and
and-but, after all, l am not sorrythat
| did my best. Poor, poor Ellen |!
What shall l say to her when she
comes ut s o'clockg"
But that evening, just as Miss Com
fort was beginning again at her pile of
account books, a ring came to the
door. and Mr.. Carlyon. the banker,
was shown in. Miss Comfort rose up,
confused and fluttering.
"Miss Walker, pray don't let me
disturb you," said the banker. 81
have only dropped in for a little social
call. You showed yourself to me to-
day in a different light from any in
which you have yet appeared"
"a dun o. demanded poor Miss Com
fort, almost Historically.
"No-a t~rue-bearted, noble-natured
womanl But you need no longer dis
tress yourself. The bill is paid. And
now, if you are at leisure, I'I just take
my evening cup of tea with you."
How pleased and proud Miss Com
fort was, as she poured the decoction
of fragrant Young Hyson into her
great grandmother's china cup, decor
ated with butterflies and oblong
of gilt and violet! And how
she kept wondering all the while how
in the world MIR. Carlyon, the great
banker, could take such interest In
her homely and humdrum little af-
fairs.
But if she had only known it, Mr..
Carlyon seldom came across a true,
real heart in his complicated business
transactions.
X X y u
"It's not true" said Mr.. Leotard.
tbiy uncle never would make such a
fool of himself at his age. Why, he's
If he's a dayl'
Only forty-four," said Mrs. Leigh
.reswick, with malicious delight.
tBut, of course, it must be a great
modification to you, Mr.. Leotard,
who have always been looked upon as
MS heir. And to think, too, he is go
.ng to marry that queer little old wo-
man who keeps the boarding house.
For it's true | True as taxes | IsaW
he wedding ring myself at IS"
"Mr. Leotard Carlyon gnaWed 81
emily at his mustache. How strange
y little circumstances are woven to-
into life's web, he thought. IL
ne had paid that Whimpering washer
Homan's bill she would not have con-
ided her woes to Miss Comfort Walk
n !; and Miss Comfort Walker would
lot have gone to his uncle ; and his
uncle wouldn't have fallen in love
Miss Comforts rosy cheeks and
bonnet neither, and he would still
have been the rich bankers heir APP
He wished he had paid the washer
Woman's bill.
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NiNUasnm EanIlG Eg1asE