Maryland independent. [volume] (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1874-current, 1889-10-18

mngs; 'and you amt had chance
Jet, nor the ghost of one. Comel bet
ter take what you can get"
slight figure came out from behind
the curtained rail and confronted Gal
way. She was a pretty, fair-haired
girl, with timid, hazel eyes. and cheek
flushed with nervous excitement
"What wages do you givel' said
Eight dollars" answered zenas.
'Pl come" sic decided, after a
brief hesitation. "a must get some sort
Of situation"
"Blt ] must take you home at once"
said the young man. "My wagon is
waiting down b,low."
81 must go homo after my clothes"
said the girl. 'Tll be back here in
half an hour. Waltz
| And she vanished.
"Now, said Mr.. Cummings, turning
over new leaf in his leiger, al call
that a stroke o business for both of you.
They all want TO BE- companions, or sec
rotary, or somethin' O. that sort. 1t
sounds more high toned, you know.
But, artcr all, good honest houscwork's
the th!nyl"
Mr. Cummings here paused to talk
with stout young man, who desired a
position as porter in store.
Zcnas Galway eat staring at the check
cred reflection of the window panes on
the floor, as they moved slowly along
with the westering sun. And little
Elfrida Hewitt fled swiftly down a mar
row street, up winding stair to close
little apartment, where lay a pale, young
convalescent, trying to while away the
weary hours with sewing cut jet beads
on silken gimp for the nearest fancy
store. She looked up, her bright eyes
all inquiry.
"Wellf' she said, eagerly.
'Tve got place, darling, at last /
The invalid drew long breath.
''It's only eight dollars month, "
pursued Efrida; "but I'll send every
cent Of it to you, dear, until you're
we'll enough TO get back to the store.
And it quite a small family-only one
lady. And TIL try so hard to suit her p
"But, Frda-oh, dear little Fridal-
what shall do without youl' cried the
lpallid convalcsccnt clasping her thin
hands.
; s,Vc mustn't think of that, said
r strida, resoIutely. you're going 20
get well, and then we shall both do
splendidly. Kiss me, dear. I've got
to pack my little bag, for the-the car
riage is waiting at the Head quarters. ;"
"The carriage! They must be very
grand people," said the elder sister.
But you haven told me the address,
Frida."
Eifrida stopped packing and regarded
her sister with eyes of puzzled amuse-
mcnt.
81 forgot to ask it." said she, "but
I'll send it by mail. 1t will all be
right, dear. Now one more kiss.
Good byW
And Elfrida ran away, blinded by
the tears she was too brave to shed in
her sisters presence.
rs it very wicked, WONDER" she
asked herself, ito let her think I'm
going to be companion to sick lady
But something had to bo done, or we
both should have starved"
1t was twilight when Zonas galway
assisted his companion to alight at the
door OF the farmhouse under the yell
lowing maple boughs.
my mother is sitting there by the
window, SAID he. go and speak to
her; she can't come to you. She has
no use of her limbs"
Eifrda Ho witt advanced boldly to
the kind faced lit le old woman in the
cushioned arm chair.
Mrs. Galway held out her hand with
smile.
''Who are your said she, pleasantly.
Il am the new girl"
81 am glad to see you, my dear.
What is your namel"
''E frida Hewitt"
"What can you do7"
Elfrida colorcd to the roots of her
glossy, chestnut brown hair.
81 can sing" said she, land paint a
little in water colors and play the
piano; l can read aloud and en-
broider-"
Land alive childl" cried out Mrs.
Galway, "what on earth do you sup
pose is tho use of all that9 Can you
churn3 Do you know how to cook,
aud wash, and make soft soap, and"
mo" said Efrida, her fringcd
lashes dropping anl her lip quivering.
but can learn-Pm sure l can learn.
if only you'll show me how. Please
do try mel
And Mrs. Galway found herself cry
ing for sympathy before she got
through.
DO you think I've done right,
zsnasa' said she the next day. "The
child knows absolutely nothing about
housework, but she's strong and will
ing. She's broken two of the ue
wiliow-pattern cups already. and she
let the clam soup burn this morning
while she stopped to play with the
kitten. But she's such sunshiny bit