The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1886-01-20
ELSIE'S LOVER.

thing" said winsomc Elsie, with a
plaintive sigh, to her friend and conf
dant old Nurse Barnes "but | often
wish I'd never been born. Nobody
knows what to do with me, and | GER
tainly don't know what to do with my
sclf"
Dear. dearr' said Mrs. Barnes,
'''what are they going to do with youp"
81 don't know" said Elsie sadly
"Unclc Joseph wants me to 90 and
work in tho factory He thinks might
earn twelve shillings week, after had
had few weeks practice"
"It's not hard work." said Mrs.
Barnes. You'll soon get used to it,
my dear. One can get used to any
thing"
"And Aunt Betsey wants to send me
up to the Manor House to help Mrs.
Perkins, the housckccpcr," went on
Elsie. ~ was there n week in the
spring. Oh. with long breath, -.
''it is the prctticst place! One room all
full Of books, don't you know, and "
hall where they hang nothing but pic
aarcs. / used to creep NIL over the
place, when the squire was gone out on
horseback, and Mrs. Perkins was taking
hcr after-dinner nap used to sit down
in the silk chairs, and fan myself with
the big scented fans, and make believe
was great heiress, with lots of SER
yants to order about"
"Oh, Elsie! that was making very
bold" said Mrs. Barnes, with an awe
stricken shudder.
Eyes, know confessed Elsie; "but
and nobody knew. But / saw Mr..
Rouon txyino and bn t,llynI 60 ,,,. ;,ot
ms kind--oh! deal kinder that Uncle
Joseph does. And he told me the names
OF some of the rarest flowers, and offered
to lend me books out of tho grand IL
brary. But Mrs. Perkins told Aunt
Betsey that am too idle and awkward
for service. SO now l don't know
whether l am to be bound to Miss
Miggs. the dressmaker. or sent to learn
the artificial flower trade"
"Its most pity. amt itp" said Mrs.
Barnes. looking sympathizngly at Elsie.
And Just then, MS she surveyed the large
dark eyes, the chcel glowing scarlet
under their stain Of t. psy sunburn. tho
1.-THE. graceful figure in its outgrown
gown, the fancy suddenly crossed her
mind that, under some circumstances.
Elsie Linn might be almost handsome.
"You see, have no one really be-
longing to me-" said Elsie, signing.
Even Uncle Joseph was only my
mothers half-brother. And they don't
know what to do with me-"
What would you like best to doP"
said Mrs. Barnes, who was pairing pota-
toes for the one o'clock dinner
II should like to be an authoress, and
write books" said Elsie, with kindling
eyes.
"Bless me, childv' said Mrs. Barnes,
'-wtst do you know about authorcsscsP"
othing," confessed Elsie; that's
TN Trouble. Or l should like to paint
p res, and to bo famous; or be queen
OF ountry that was at war, and lead
the soldiers to victory. mounted on n
great and grand, SO that people might
never forg st my memory"
Mrs. Barnes first started and then
sighed. Pour soul, there was perhaps
time whom ihe, too, had her wild dreams
and impossible imaginings.
"Such things don't happen nowadays,
/, Elsie" said she. Women have to
scrub, and wash and sew In this coun-
try. not ride to battle or paint grand
pictures Better leave off thinking of
yes" cried Elsie, with start, as the
clock struck twelve. "And Aunt Betscy'
will be wanting me to set the table.
must hurry home. How she will scold
TO be sure"
But to Elsie's Infinite relief, when she
reached home, Aunt Betsey met hor with
no frown.
Come In quick, child" said she.
.'and change your frock. MIR. Raven Is
here"
"Ohr' cried Elsie. with skip over
the doorstep. "am to be Mrs Perkins
tnaidfr
1--WE don't know" said Aunt Betsey
rnysteriously. 'Time will show. Don't
Jump about, my child. Try to take
shoy3 steps, and be lady. And, oh,
what dreadful tear that is In your
drees Never mind now. Run quick
and change it as soon rs ever you can.
and then come down to the best parlor."
But long before Elsio Linns simple
toilet was made. an awful fear took pos
session Of her that Squire Raven had
como 70 tell Uncle Joseph Of the big
buneh Of hot-holiso grapes which she