The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1886-07-31
Select STORY.
A TEST OF LOVE.

1t had blown a perfect hurricane all
day, and early in the afternoon the snow
had commenced to fall, increasing in vio-
lence until at six o'clock, when Lottie
started home, Tottenham court-road and
the by-streets were full of drifts, the air
was binding haze, and the wind fercer
than ever.
tOh, how pleasant home will look !" she
said to herself, pulling her collar up about
her ears and tucking her music-roll securely
under her arm How happy l ought to be
that I have it to go to, even though it is a
little room all by myself! What do poor
girls do who have none, no work, no home
and no Robert ?"
Then she laughed shyly to herself, and
blushed-a happy, rosy blush, down inside
the collar, and walked faster than ever.
Home was quite distance, but her
feet steps carried her quickly there, and
the hall door had flown open in response
to her latch-key, when, from somewhere In
the darkness near, a voice came-a tremu-
lous, pleading voice-"Pity, oh, for the
love of God, pity me"
"Who are you? Where are you"
asked Lottie, startled, and stopping right
where the hall light shone in her face and
dazzled her eyes.
"Here." And from the shadow beside
the door rose woman's fgure-a woman
that the next moment also stood In the
light, showing wrinkled, aged face and
snow-white hair, covered with tattered
bit of shawl 81 am freezing, starving and
may be dying. IF you have any pity give
me some food and some kind of shelter !"
she said with desperate sort of famished
eagerness.
II will-oh, 1 will-come in" cried
Lottie. her voice quivering and her eyes
shining with the generous pity that flooded
her young heart. ~ have no place l can
take you but my room on the top floor.
Can you climb the stairs ?'
"For warmth and food? Yes, yes; lead
the way" cried the woman eagerly looking
at the girl with trembling delight burn
ing in her hollow eyes. II can follow any
where"
"But she was aged and weak, and the
four long flights of stairs were slowly ac-
complished, Lottie assisting her companion
as well as the narrow staircase would allow,
and going very slowly.
'This is my room," she exclaimed at
last, throwing open door and leading the
painting woman in. "Sit down here, and
in two minutes my fire will be lighted.
Are you very tired ?"
The weary woman could only nod as
she sank into the chair Lottie gave, while
her young hostess few about the room.
Everything was most exquisitely neat,
and the little CRATE, brushed and polished,
was already laid for the fire and at touch
from Lottie's match blazed and crackeled
with amazing brightness.
SIS not that lovely ?" she cried, turning
to her strange visitor. sNow you will
soon be warm, and in few minutes l will
give you cup of tea. Move nearer, won't
you ?"
Apparently speechless with grateful
amazement and delight the woman did as
she was bid, throwing off her wet, tattered
shawl, and holding her wrinkled hands
over the blaze, while her eager eyes still
followed every move Lottie made.
az am my own housekeeper you see"
continued the girl gaily, as if wishing to
make her visitor less timid and more at
home; ''here is my little kitchen, and
with merry laugh she threw open the
door to large closet, showing within two
neatly papered shelves of dishes and tins.
81 am just as happy and independent as |
can be. How do you like it p
"Like it! echoed the woman; "does it
not look like heaven to me? But are you
all alone p
'sYes, all alone. have not relative
in the world that know of, said Lottie,
taking off and hanging up her things, now
that she had all things started. II would
be very lonesome If ! had the time, but I
haven't"
"Then you work-you are poor ?" cried
the woman, as though the surroundings
were to her suggestive of wealth and ease.
a0h, yes, l am poor; and yet ] am rich,
for l have health and strength and good
work" said Lottie with world of thank
fulness thrilling her blithe voice. "In the
morning am up early and arrange my
room and fire and have my little breakfast;
then am away all day as nursery govern