The Washington critic., 1886-08-02
EFFIE'S SCH00LMATE.

Eflle Parker was an orphan, under
the rather reluctant guardianship Of
bachelor uncle, and his house was all
the home she looked forward to Other
young graduates were talking of their
parents and brothers and sisters; even
of their pet birds; but Ellie was all
alone.
II wouldn't cry" said Lucy Brown,
bouncing upon her solitude and throw
ing both plump arms around her neck
"Tcll me, Ellie, what makes you
cry?"
because ] am $3.50 Lonesome !"
sobbed poor Eflle.
ooh, nonsensel" cried Lucy Brown.
why should you cry? You might,
indeed, with some show Of reason, II
| you were like me, booked to 20 out as
governess, and earn your bread bv
the sweat of your brow. For haven't
even an uncle to 60 tot
| but I'm afraid of Uncle Gerald"
faltered Eflie-"to be there all alone
| with him."
Does he scold2" asked Lucy, sym.
pathetically.
"N-no, but"
"Ill 60 home with you," said Lucy,
"Come. My engagement to teach the
nine little boys of Mrs. McManahan does
not begin until next month, and I'd as
soon go home with you as to stay here
among the lexicons and French gram
mars"
Darling Lucy, if you only wouldp'
exclaimed Eflie, giving her school
mate such hug as nearly choked
her.
1.-TWO of emv" calculated Mr.. Gerald
Vane, dropping his niecc's letter in
despair. Mrs. CALDWELL
"Sir," said the trim housekecper.
"Thcre's two of 'em coming"
"Dear me, sir Is there, indeed?"
said Mrs. Caldwell. can the better, /
should say. The old house needs
Frightening up little; it's as dull as a
convent"
"And what is to become of my scien
tifc experiments and natural history
Investigations, | should like to know"
demanded Mr. Vane, Indignantly.
"Well, sir" coughed Mrs. Caldwell,
'if it ain't making too bold, think
you are too much wrapped up in them
heathenish doings. And two nice lit
tie girls to educate and"
1.-TWO nice little girls? Are you mad,
Mrs. Caldwell? Why, my niece is
eighteen at least, and the other one
Lucy Brown she calls her--must be as
old, If not older"
ooh, isn't this niccp' said Lucy
Brown, dancing about the broad
mosaic.paved hall in q sort of i'm.
promptu valse step. ooh, | should
like to live here always. dear me,
what have done?"
For her flying skirts had caught in
the top of large glass jar, and crash
1t came down on the marble floor.
"Dear me-" said Mrs. Caldwell,
otis one of the masters chemicals, as
he fuses over like they was liquid
gold"
"Will he be very angry?" whispered
Lucy, with her eyes like blue marbles,
while Eflie began to cry.
Lets run to our room as fast as we
can" she faltered, "before Uncle Ger
aid finds it out.
NO" said Lucy, valiantly. "Where
is Mr.. Vane? III go and tell him at
once. Mr.. Vane," us tall figure was
seen entering through side door, II
broke the jar"
"Did you, indeed2 Miss Brown,
| presume" with formal bow, as IF
flc came timidly forward to kiss him.
isn't he handsome?" Lucy whis.
pered to her schoolmatc, as they went
up stairs together.
But he's so stern looking" sighed
Ellie. "Never mind let's get dressed
for dinner as quick as we can, for
uncle can't bear to be kept waiting"
Lucy Brown, whose .one red silk
dress required no long and painful ad-
iustment, was soon attired and down
in the garden.
Dear me p said Lucy. "TIere's a
whole box of frogs Some cruel boy
has shut them up. I'll just run down
to the brook and give them theil
liberty"
She was proceeding when Mrs
Caldwell called to her from the
window.
Miss Lucy Miss Lucy I"
"On you go, froggies Don't they
jump charmingly % Lucy cried, clap
ping her hands, as one by one the rep
I tiles FLASHED into their native element
"What did you say, Mrs. Caldwell ??
The housekeeper uttered groan o.
despair
) "Mr. Gerald's frogs that he's beer
trying some scientific experiment will
these three daysr'
"Oh, dear" said Lucy, with com
ical gesture of terror, "Ive been ant
gone and done it again. Ireally thinl
l was born under an unlucky starr
Three weeks Lucy Brown remained
/ guest at Vane Hall-threc weeks o
, | ~ iarnt ta1 tpil, 1nI -.
, devastation. She broke the sash o
pet Italian greyhound; she tipped
! bottle of ink over an essay he had jus
completed for SacdRtS M0HbLy, anC
+ ruined his collection of dried butterflies
by accidentally sitting down on then
r when they We're airing in the window
: seat Literally, she "did what sh,
ought not to have done, and left un
: done those things she ought to hay,
: done"
, "lIow is it," said Lucy, obviously
Chat am always getting into scrlpe'
and Ellie here isn'ty What is it Mrs
CALDWELL Mr.. Nane wishes to speal
to me? There knew it was coming.
"knew what was coming? askct
Ellie blankly.
Tic gong 10 luVu luc oNl ol uOoTs
! lie can't endure me any longer, ant
Pm sure | can't blame him much
4 Well shall have to go back TO Nine
Metour's, | suppose"
, She went boldly into the study t
|, face her doom, while Ellie Parker sa
down on the doorstep and began t
cry.
I ''lf Lucy goes of to leave me | shal
= die of homesicllness and loneliness!
3 she sobbed