The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1888-05-24
AN INDEPENDENT MAID.


One too many in the worldi Yes,
that was the grim unpalatable truth
the bitter cup of fact that was held to
Flora Farquhar's lips, as she sat there
that rainy Monday morning in Lawyer
Barret's Notwithstanding Office, and
heard her uncle's last will and testa-
ment read.
Uncle Farqilhar had brought her up
in loveless mechanical way. That Is
since her parents death, she had been
allowed to play noiselessly downstairs,
where she would disturb nobody-had
eaten her meals silently and timidly
opposite his stern figure, and had
known that her school-bills had been
paid out of his grudging purse.
Therefore, at his death, she naturally
supposed that some sort of provision
would be made for her; and when she
found that her name was entirely un-
mentioned in his will, it was dis
agreeable surprise.
''Only what might have been ex-
pected," said Thomas Farquhar, far
away cousin, who had grown rich in
trade. s'Her education and bringing
up were all she had any right to ex-
pect!'
81 really think" said Mr.. Barret, un-
easily twirling his eyeglasses, THAT
our departed friend intended to have
left her something, if that last sudden
attack
''Oh, intendedr' said MIR. Ferdinand
Farquhar. who was a club member,
and went in for society. s'That has
nothing whatever to do with the ques-
ton. The question is, what he really
did" -
Mr.. Barret glanced depreciatingly
across to the two ladies in Grape and
sealskin who sat on the opposite side of
the room, with pocket-handkerchi
ready unfolded and smelling-bottles
lifted to their nostrils.
81 suppose" said he, ''that some of
the lady relatives would perhaps"
'sThen your suppositions are entirely
unwarranted," said Mrs. Falmouth,
who had been Miss Priscilla, Far
quhar. Il have a large family of my
own to look after"
Il should be charmed, am surer'
murmured Mrs. Paul Farguhar. a
plump widow, with dimple aud re-
trousSe nose 'sBut live in an hotel,
and can't offer home to any one.
much as / should desire it. And be-
sides, am sure our dear young rela-
tive would never consent to become an
object of charity!''
'Neveri' said Flora in a suffocated
voice.
And Mrs. Paul Farquhar got up and
kissed her effusively.
Il admire your spirit, my lover' she
al II IL Id
enabled me to give you homer
"Humph!" grunted Mrs. Falmouth
satirically; ..it's cheap talking. But if
am to catch the nine-twenty train, /
must be off"
So, one by one, the relations vanish
ed, and poor Flora was left looking at
the lawyer.
my DEAR" said the lawyer, II am
very sorry for YOU"
Thank your said Flora family.
'These people are the harpies and
cormorants," said Mr.. Barret. 'But
my experience deals with many such.
Now, what are you going to do?"
II don't know" said Flora, still
stunned and bewildered by the force
of the blow which had so newly fallen.
Il suppose your education has
scarcely qualified you to be COVER
ness? Or there is the occupation of
companion to some elderly lady, or
amanuensis, or-if you had the cour-
age to learn stenography and type
writing, am told"
You are very kind said Flora, ris-
ing. Il believe had better go to one
of those intelligence bureaus, where
situations are to be found, since it
seems necessary for me to earn my own
living"
Il Shall be happy to become your
reference" said Mr.. Barrett "Pray
command my services if | can in any
way be useful"
He looked after the pale, stricken
girl with something like genuine tears
sparkling in his dim, blue eyes. If il
had not been for Mrs. Barret and the
nine little Barrets at home, he could
have almost have found it in his heart
to adopt her as his own child.
Flora counted her money-there was
but little left-and betook herself al
once to Mrs. Grigson's Office, where
according to the bulletins outside
there were scores of light. highly
salaried positions" waiting to be
snapped up"
She entered her name, paid her fee
and sat down on one of the stiff settees
secretly wondering at the numbers al
ready posted there, with expectant
faces.
sThey must be very hard to suit,
she thought.
But as the day crept by she began tt
| ~, ha Ia h1ltl of
were rather glittering generalities thai
aught else.
Two or three grim old ladies came Il
look for governesses for small children
but one despised Flora because sh'
! was '.too young" another would onl.
take "a Young woman" who was yerseC
in the ''Bently Object Methods" and
third wanted a native of France. t
come at half-price.
IL can speak French, ma'am," sal
Flora, sswell enough to converse wit
children. At school we spoke it ex
clusively."
.Are YOU a native of France?" sal
the old lady, transfxing Miss Farquha
with her spectacles.
mo, ma'am."
..Then you won't doi' said the auto
crat. Here, Mrs. Intelligence We
man, send some one else"
Presently. showily-dressed woma
rustled in, with a great odour OF pa
chouli and tinkling of gold bangles o
her wrists.
II want young person as compar
ion and reader" said she, land On
who can take charge of Madeline
education. 1 lind Signora Bellini coms
too high"
The very person yon wantp' erie
Mrs. Grigson. miss Farquhar, com
hereT
Mrs. Belton shook her head.
81 want an older, more settled pc
son." said she. ''None of your wa
doll beauties for me. Mr.. Belton
brother is with us this winter, and
don't want the companion making ey'
at him. And they all do it!"
Miss Farquhar colored and Dire
back.
II prefer not to secept the situation
aaia shs.