The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1890-03-22

her to the heart.
And |, she said to herself, am a
liar What business have | in thi:
happy home-this pure, peaceful at
mosphere? Oh, | wiSh-how wish
| never had listened to Ellen Gibbs
And yet, if | hadn't, | must have starv,
ed or drowned myself. Oh, dear, how
hard 1t is to know what is right !"
She went home and packed her pool
little trunk
My second month is up to morrow,
Mrs. f lgecumbe, said she. IN faIter-
'ng voice, and | am returning to New
York.
To New York; Oh, Dolly cried
the little woman, throwing up hel
hands in despair. What is the matter
Nothing, said Dolly, vaiantly swal
lowing her tears only must go.
Has any one offended you2
On, no, no!
If you want higher wages
No, Mrs. Edgecumbe you pay me
all | earn now, protested Dolly.
Then what is it. Dolly? Dear Dolly
do stay. You are like one of ourselves
pleaded Mrs. Edgecumbe.
But Dolly only answered with hel
tears.
! can't think what has changed hel
SO, all of sudden, said Mrs. Edge.
cumbe. The children have coaxed hel
dear little things land Mr.. Edge.
cumbe has offered her a better rate O
compensation, but it is of no use. Per,
haps, John, if you were to speak tc
her
Mr.. Gardiner sat silently balancing
his pen, regardless of the big round bio
that had fallen on the "Thirdly" of HI:
next Sundays sermon. 1t was a strange
revelation to him, the chill feeling tha
came across his heart at the idea 0
Dolly Damar's going away.
Yes, said he, l will speak to her
Somehow it seems as if we couldn'i
spare her.
But even to his kind reasoning.
Dolly only replied by fearful silence.
l must 60, said she--I must Anc
you, If you knew all, would say ths
same thing.
l don't know what | shall do, In
sure, said Mrs. Edgecumbe, lapsing
into deep despair. l never shall have
courage to face an Intelligence Office
again. Cassie Merton has just beer
here, telling me the strangest storie:
about those places. 1t seems, she
knows OF a woman whose whole bust
ness it Is to act as 'reference" to girl.
who can't get any, or don't deserve
them. She has hired gaudily furnished
fiat, and sits up there all day, acting
the part of the last lady with whom the
girls lived, at so much a head. us
fancy what a deception The pollce
have broken up this place, at the com
plant of some lady who found hefsel
the victim of a dishonest maid whose
recommendation was obtained in thu:
manner, but who knows how many
others there may be?
Dolly sprung to her feet, very pale
but firm.
Mrs. Edgecumbe, SAID she, that i:
what | did ! That is the reason | an
going away from you. l can't live or
here and bear the burden of my guilt
any longer!
And she confessed 1t all, beginning
at the story OF the Dresden shepherdess
and ending with Ellen Gibbs sitting up
in the yacaut boudoir of the lady who
had gone to spend the E E,ster holidays
at Tuxedo Park.
Now you know ali, said che. Please
let ME go at once, for OF course you
won't be willing TO have NE sit down
to the table with the dear little children
again.
And her words lied away in a great
burst of tears.
Not willing indee ! CRED Mrs. Edge
cumbe. OF course | won't be willing
to let you stir step from Lillies}eaf
farm. Is that all that troubles you
Dolly?
Isn't that enough ? walled poor Dolly
Quite enough to satisfy me that you
must stay, said Mrs. Edgecumbe. Why:
Dolly, child, you're like my own sister
now. Do You think | will let you &C
back into such temptations again
Never! Talk 10 her, J ,hp. Mike her
understand that we like her better than
ever for having told US the tru;h-dear
brave girl
And Mrs. Edgecumbe ran out Of the
room to tell her husband that ali was
right
Dolly looked timidly at Mr. Gardl
ner.
Well, said he, kindly.
1t is tor you to decide, whispered
she. l will do exactly what you say.
You'll promise me that, DollyP
Yes, she avOwed, altIessly.
Dear httle Dolly said he. You have
done very wrong. but YOU have atoned
for all that by !our free and frank con-
fession. Ny verdict IS that you are to
remain here.
o., Mr. Gardiner, | am so glad
Stop, SAID he ; an not quite through.
o. d! sighed Dolly, blankly.
There is something else | want you
to dc.
BY way of penanceP
Dolly's blue eyes sparkIed; her old
playful spirit was coming back again.
If you choose 10 call 1t penance, yes.
| have discovered something within
the last hour, Dolly. have discovered