Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1889-03-04

the tiny slip Of passage, and mufsered'
Like dolls house,
YES said Flora, quickly, 80 1sat and
tidy"
After few days things began % settle
down. and Flora made the acquaintance OF
working clergymans equally energetic ~ife
This lady pronounced the party At Acacia
cottage to be evidently quite respectable, and
the girl intelligent and inclined to be useiul
She also remarked how very PLAIN she was
Her husband agreed with her, but softened
Handsome is" etc
Flora gained her object, and became &C
ouainted with nail makers. First she went
over her own works under the condeseending
guidance Of a very vulgar manager to whom
a large salary was paid. She appeared to be
examining nails, but was really occupied In
STUDYING the beings who made them Very
grimy, very stolid in most cases, not much
imagination hing fostered by their work or
surroundings. Some looked thin and Ill,
many Of the young workers especially. Flora
found out the wages paid TO each, and the
manager said they were asking an increase,
but wouldn't get it.
What if they striker asked Flora
They know better II they did I'd replace
them by other men
1t was getting very cold weather now.
Flora went to some Of the homes. Wretched,
dark and damp, in many cases squalid She
had hard work TO gain abundance some
times, and despaired of reaching the people
in her assumed character AT times she found
il relief TO wander near Ridweu Grange.
and was glad to find the place let and well
cared for. There were nice cottages near II,
and when resting in one after a long walk,
Flora met another visitor, who knocked and
entered cheerily, all the children running for
ward to meet him. He began fumbling III
his pockets for apples, and then as he offered
them. caught sight of Flora The woman
said:
Its Miss O'Moore, sir; young lady from
the town She does deal of good among the
nail makers"
Flora colored brightly, but before she could
disclaim the gentleman said;
They need friends, ignorant and down
trodden as some are, and pulled with discon-
tent and arrogance the rest. / hear a good
deal for | rent my house from the agent Of
one of the big firms"
Flora said she had seen some trouble in her
short acquaintance with the people, and then
telling the woman she must hasten home, she
left.
The early shadows of dull, frosty Decem-
Der day were falling, and she walked quickly,
as there were two miles Of lonely road TO
travel Suddenly, from the hedgerow,
wild looking, dirty man stepped before her.
Flora tried to move aside, but the man held
out both hands, saying:
I'm starving You looks well fed enough!
Give me money, or it'll be the worse for
you"
The girl turned pale, but resolute.
Il have no money-let me pass.
you've got a watch if you have no mon
ey," said the man, land I'll ave it"
His dirty hands just clasped her delicate
wrist; she shrieked for help, though fearing
none was near; then a mans figure, followed
by huge dog, leapt the hedge, and the dog
seized the beggar by the shoulder. The
wretch let Floras hand drop with howl Of
pain, and the girl felt dazed darkness sur
rounding her, and became unconscious.
MY love-" said Lady Margaret O'Kelly,
Il think our little farce should be ended. We
promised to return to Terrick for Christmas,
and there is only fortnight left"
Flora las looking meditatively across the
prim little front garden at the milkman's
cart.
'You have done all you can for the poor
l
very gentlemanly man who has Ridwell
Grange speak most highly Of the good you
have worked" pursued her aunt And the
Grange itself could not be in better hands
than Mr. Barrington's-unless you lived
there yourself"
"Quite true, auntie," said Flora, turning
towards her You have been very patient
and good to stay so long. am only sorry to
leave my quiet busy life for all the humbug
shall have to endure"
Lady Margaret looked keenly at her niece
"You would not be coward, my dear"
mo; don't think 50 at least Dear me-
there's the door bell, and Hannah is just
bringing our coy tea! Some old gossip
from the villas, dare say-you are good
natured to them, aantie,"
But the visitor wore mans attire, and was
Mr.. harrington He came, he said, to ask
Miss OMoore's advice lis 10 some Christmas
festivities for the poor ami would her niece
do him the kindness to help hi'u'
81 feel great sympathy i'll your work, Mr..
Darlington, but my niece and | are leaving
almost directly"
'For Christmas he asked in Il low voice
altogether" said Flora qdictly. My
aunt and only intended short stay here
Mr. harrington became wonderfully silent
and distract, and drank his tea in an absent
manner, breaking in upon some conversation
with the inquiry
"When do you leavel'
IN four days" said Lady Margaret pray
have some more toast" Flora left the room
to send Off some letters, and Mr. harrington
said hastily to her aunt:
Miss OMoore, may see you alone this
evening, if | callf'
"Certainly,n said Lady Margaret. and a
curious smile fitted over her face when he
was gone She unused, II thought something
would come Of that day when he rescued her
from the beggar triies life hangs ont
Dear me, what a tale have to tell,'
| need scarcely say Mr.. Darlington pro-
posed for Flora Her aunt revealed nothing.
until she had sent the girl TO give her own
happy answer.
Then with great rustic of silk, and I'M
necessary rafting of door handle, Lady
Margaret intruded.
1--WE have a mystery to explain, Mr.. Bar
rington."
He bowed and stared confusedly at both
ladies.
Il am not Miss O'Moore, and that is not
my niece's name.n
A bewildered expression gathered on the
lovers face, and he reached out his hand to
make sure Flora still stood near.
''In truth, Mr. harrington, you are Flora's
tenant, as she is Miss Benson of Terrick
Park, and | am her aunt, Lady Margaret
OKelly."
There was blank silence for some seconds
will you forgive mef' asked Flora, shyly
"My darling if with all these crushing
advantages you still can take me, what have
to forgivef At least, you know loved you
for yourself
I'VE are so glad Of that" nterposed Lady
Margaret, hastily brushing tear from her
eye. Flora has been as my own child might
have been, and it would have been a sore
thing to see her married for her fortunen
Both Terrick Park and Ridwell Grange
saw great rejoicings early in the year, and
some Of the grimy folk in Staffordshire
profited by a marriage which brought the
owner OF the works and her husband many
months of the year amongst them.-Minnie
Douglass in Boston Globe.
Had Faith in the Hymn Book.
A story is told of an old clergyman who