Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1888-06-01
MISS DILLON
BY GUINEvERE.

BY GUINEvERE.
In the parlor of an unpretentious
dwelling on Pembroke Street, Bos'
ton, sat q fair young girl clad
| IN plain garments OF mourning.
She was reading one Of the morn
ing papers, and ever anon her deli
cate brows contracted, and a low
sigh futtered from between her lips.
| ait is so hard, this struggle for
mere existence" she murmured. "l
wonder what will become OF meT
"Oh, you haven't gone yet, Miss
said a CHEEKY voice, as the mistress
of the house entered; not the typi-
cal clearinghouse keeper with her
sharp features and keen eye, but a
matrOnly, plump, amiable woman
who bent a look of compassion on
the slender figure aud serious
face of her "new lodger."
"No, l am looking over the
wants." said the young girl, with
a faint smile. "It is astonishing
how deficient l am in all those
things the mass require. There
are two columns here, and yet"
She sighed, and then a light,
scornful expression curved her mo.
bile lips.
"If had the strength necessary
to conquer the wash.tub or range"
"Oh, miss, you could never do
that ~ cried the practical matron.
Why, you're a lady, and such
work is as far beneath you as the
earth is beneath the stars. It's
shame you had to come out into
this cold world at all, a pretty, frail
creature like you. Why, your
hands are unfit for anything but
the piano and embroidery frame.
Poor dear ~
Ali this while the girl had kept
her gaze upon the paper, and now
her lips quivered, her hazel eyes
darkened.
Mrs. Harmon thought it was her
words that had caused her emo.
ton, and began a profuse apology /;
but her companion sat unhearing,
motionless as a statue, with her
dilated eyes riveted on the printed
words that had sent the blood rush.
ing through her veins.
"WANTED.-A young lady as
companion for a blind person.
Must be patient, refined and a mu-
sician. Address or apply at Grange.
wood, Harrison Square"
"Grangewoodw repeated the girl,
mechanically.
"Did you speak, miss 7" asked the
elder woman, and the spell was
broken.
Her companion rose and drew on
her black thread gloves. The flush
| fingered on her cheeks and the light
in her eyes.
"There Is one Item there that
may amount to something" she
said, speaking in the manner OF
one whose thoughts we're preOecu-
pied. 81 will be back by noon,
Mrs. Harmon"
"GOOd luck, MISS" cried the 9th.
er cheerily, and then the girl in
mourning was out in the street,
and a while later was speeding
over the rails toward HarnsOn
Square.
"Grangewood-a blind person /;
who can it BET He had no sisters
or brothers," was the Durden Of her
thoughts. "Can it be that sad
misfortune has befallen his moth
erf Perhaps / do wrong to 60,
but somehow l am drawn thlther
as though by an unseen power
Will / see him? Will he know me
All, Heaven, this is a trying or
deal. l must summon all mp cOur.
age and pride to aid me.'
She was trembling in every limb
when she reached Grangewood and
found herself seated in the rec ep.
tion.room of the mansion, her hands
cIasped and unclasped nervously,
and as footsteps sounded in the
hall and the pOrtieres we're drawn
back, something rose in her throat
and seemed to choke her.
She struggled to her feet, and
faced the newcomer with forced
compOsure.
1t was a gray haired woman who
stood there, wit'n a look of interest
on her patrician face.
"YOu desire to see me 7" she said
81 am Mrs. Granger"
"His moth er Then she Is moi
the afflicted person." thought the
girl"
81 have come in answer to your
advertiser ent, madam" she said
aloud.
The kee n, blue eyes of the othel
took gu ick survey of the slender
girlish figure and sweet, delicate
face.