The Ketchum keystone. [volume] (Ketchum, Idaho) 1885-1899, 1888-07-07
AN INDEPENDENT MAID,

u
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 Farquhar had brought her up
in a 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
found that her name was entirely un-
mentioned in his will, it was a dis
agreeable surprise.
Only what might have been ex-
pected," said Thomas Farquhar, far
away cousin, who had grown rich in
trade. "Her education and bringing
up were all she had any right to eX-
pect!n
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 Mr.. Ferdinand
Farquhar, who was club member,
and went in for society. ''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-handkerchiefs
ready unfolded and smelliag-bottles
lifted to their nostrils.
II suppose" said he, "that some of
the lady relatives would perhaps
Then your suppositions are entirely
unwarranted," said Mrs. Falmouth,
who had been Miss Priscilla Far
quhar. II have large family of my
own to look after"
Il should be charmed, / am sure!"
murmured Mrs. Paul Farquhar, a
plump widow, with dimple and re-
triousse nose. ''But / 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"
''Never!'' said Flora in suffocated
voice.
And Mrs. Paul Farquhar got up and
kissed her etfusively.
Il admire your spirit, my love" she
said. How | wish circumstances had
enabled me to give you home!''
"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
.he lawyer.
my dear" said the lawyer, Il am
very sorry for you.
THANK your said Flora family.
"These people are the harpies and
y said Mr.. Barrct. "But
NY experience deals with many such.
Now, what are you going to dop''
Il don't know said Flora, still
stunned and bewildered by the force
If the blow which had so newly fallen.
Il suppose your education has
scarcely qualified you to be COVER
less? Or there is the occupation OF
companion to some elderly lady, or
or-if you had the cour-
'ge to learn stenography and type
writing, / am told"
you are very kind " said Flora, ris-
ne. Il believe I had better go to one
If those intelligence bureaus, where
situations are to be found, since 1t
eems necessary for me to earn my own
iving.n
Il shall be happy to become your
'eference," said MI. Barrett. ''Pray
my services if can in any
way be useful
He looked after the pale, stricken
,irl with something like genuine tears
parking in his dim, blue eyes. Ii it
lad not been for Mrs. Barret and the
line little Barrets at home, he could
lave almost have found it in his heart
o adopt her as his own child.
Flora counted her money-there was
,ut little left-and betook herself at
,nce to Mrs. Grigson's Office, where,
according to the bulletins outside,
here were scores of light, highly
alaried positions waiting to be
snapped up"
She entered her name, paid her fee,
nd sat down on one of the stiff settees,
ecretly wondering at the numbers al
eady posted there, with expectant
aces.
"They must be very hard to suit
he thought.
But as the day crept by she began to
understand that the outside bulletins
we're rather glittering generalities than
ught else.
Two or three grim old ladies came to
ook for governesses for small children,
nut one despised Flora because she
vas ''too young;" another would only
AXE "a young woman" who was yersed
n the "Bently Object Method;" and a
bird wanted a native of France, to
ome at half-price.
II can speak French, ma'am,' said
'lora, swell enough to converse with
children. At school we spoke it ex-
lusively."
.sAre you native of Francep" said
he old lady, transfxing Miss Farquhar