Connecticut western news., 1888-11-21
ALMOST PERSUADED.

great city. Overhead, the stars shone faintly along tho c,oso, narrow streets tho gaslights flickered; every doorstep, every op,n easement in this densely populated quarter of the city was packed full of humanity, striving to get a breath of air.
 Lilly Germond had como home late from the store. She was tired and disrir- ited; and the gentle little step-mothor, to whom she always turned for sym pathy and tenderness, had gone to spend 8 week at her brothers farm on the Come ctieut River.
 How strange and empty the little room looked, with the vacant rocking chair and work basket so unwontedly tidy.
 'I wish She was Lack again." Lilly sighed, as sho dropped into chair, and began listlesaly to cat her supper, of a slice of bakers bread broken into Q bowl of sky blue city milk. 'I wonder why Uncle Mark didn't ask me, too! I suppose he thought I couldn't leave tho store; but l could have got Q few days vacation l am sure; or perhaps they had but ono spare room, though l could surely have slept with mother, just as l do here" ...
 Lilly Germond did not know how much good Uncle Mark Stevens dreaded meeting between his son Bea and "any feather-h healed city girl" as he expressed it. @
 ''Ben is as good as gold,' reasoned MT. Stevens, talking tho matter over with his wife; s'and doa't want any silly coquette playing with his feelings. If be's to have wife-as I s'poso it's in the nature of things he should have some time--let it be some sensible girl as will be real companion to him that you and mo can take comfort with. But don't ask Mary to bring that step- daughter O hers here. She's no kin 10 us, anyway you can fix it, aud it'll only be exposing Ben to temptation and folly"
 Ut seems kind O hard though" said Aunt Almira "to separate mother and child"
 'Mary's my own sister," said MT. Stevens, "ard Pm willin' to give her country air and change of scene. But l don't owe no duty to Mary's step- daughter, as know of"
 But when Mrs. Germond told them of Lilly's sweet temper and patient toll. of her long days of work in the store, and her cheerful evenings of sewing for her mother, the hearts of both of these old people softcned in some degree.
 ''Fathcr," said Mrs. Stevens to her husband, 'Mary's step-daughter must be different from what you and me s'posed. almost wish-ioa't you9- that we had asked her here, too?'
 ''So do l." said Uncle Mark. Look here, Almlra! Ben is going to take a load of cordwood into town oa Thurs day. S'pose we tell him to go around by Bracken street and bring Mary's step daughter out for surprise to her mothcr-ehp'
 Kid Mrs. Stevens frightened all over
 "That will be real nice plaa," said she. And ii Lilly is anything like what Mary says, I guess We shan have no reason to regret it. It docs seem too bad to think of anybody cooped up in the hot city such weather as this"
 If tired, overworkcd Lilly Gormond could havs known all this how her heart would have lcapei up within her !! But we arc not always aware how near the angel of dcliverance is to us; and she was very rebellious in her heart this night.
 cts all one wretched tread mill of toll and dIudgery," she murmured to herself, with never prospect of change or recreation! One mig ght as we'll be deadm
 Just then, Arietta Wales, bright young factory girl who boarded on the floor above, knocked at the door.
 All alone, Lilly| said she. II thought as much. Well. rv, got such a pan to propose to you! Joha NJ .rton is going to tako me to the G.eefu s ,ci- ety's ball to ight at Windford hall. And he's got a ticket for a1 extra lady and so, why can't you go with u,9'
 '1T Lilly Gormond turned red and pale. "But-mother don't approve of bnllsr'
 "Oi course she don't!' rctorted Arl. ctta, with toss of her yellow, much befrizzsd hair. ''Shc's old and pokey, and you arc young and gay. Besides, she's only your step mother, and you can t expect her to feel for you IS she would do if sine were your own mother. ' Lilly frownod little, but sho passed on to the next objection.
 'Tve got ro;hiag to wear," said she.
 "Yes, you havc-that pretty white muslin with th, rccdlc- work flouncas. , Nothing can be prettier than that. And . John does so want you to go. Hos got friend coming-such a gentecl youag 2 man! Do come, Lilly! Think how much nicer it will be than sitting here in this stuffy hole, with Mir. B;oxer' S baby crying next door, and old Mr. Farren playing the flute ovcrhcaI.
 Il promised mother not to go .ou, anywhere la the evening white sh9 wa. esns." " hssitated Lilly.