Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1890-03-13
ualities experience alone could deter


mine.
Finding it impossible, judging from
first impression, to arrive at any immedi-
ate decision favorable or adverse to the
stranger, Iris opened the interview with
her customary frankneSS: leaving the con-
sequences to follow as they might.
Take seat, Fanny" she said, land let
us try, if we can, to understand each other.
L think you will agree with me that
there must be no concealments between
us. You ought to know that your mis-
tress has told me why she parted with
you. 1t was her duty to tell me the truth
and it is my duty not TO be unjuStly pre-
JUDGED against you after what | have
heard. Pray believe me when [ say that
| don't know, and don't want to know,
what your temptation may have been"
Il beg your pardon, Miss, for inter-
rupting you. My temptation was vanity"
Whether she did or did not suffer in
making that confession, it was impossible
to discover. Her tones were quiet; her her
manner was unobtruSively reSpectful the
pallor of her face was not disturbed by
the slightest change of color. Was the
new maid an insensible person? Iris began
to fear already that she might have made
q mistake.
Il don't expect you to enter into partic-
ulars." she said: 81 don't ask you here to
humiliate yourself"
''When | got your letter, miss, tried to
consider how | might show myself worthy
of your Kindness" Fanny answered. 1.-THE
one way could see was not to let YOU
think better of me than l deserve. When
person like me is told. for the first time,
| that her figure makes amends for her face,
she is f1attered bv the only compliment
| that has been paid to her IN all her life.
Ny excuse, miss Gf have an excuse) is a
mean one-I couldn't resist a compliment.
That is all have to say"
IRIS began to alter her opinion. This
was not young woman OF the ordinary
type. It began to look possible, and
more than possible, that she was worthy
of helping hand. The truth seemed to
be in her.
'i understand you and feel for you"
Having replied in those words, Iris wisely
and delicately changed the subject. Let
me hear how you are situated at the pres
ent time" she continued. ''Are your par
ents lying?"
INV father and mother are dead, miss"
Have YOU anv other relativeS?"
Ihey are too poor TO be able 10 do any
thing for me. 1 have lost my. character
and | am left to help myself"
Suppose you fail to find another situa-
| tion?" Iris suggested.
Eyes, miss"
''How can you help yourself
81 can do what other girls have DONE"
''What D you mean?"
''SOme of US StarVe on needlewOrk. Some
take to the streets. Some end it in the
river. If there is no other chance for me,
1 think shall try that way" said the poor
creature as quietly as if she was speaking
of some customary prospect that was open
to her. 'There will be nobody to be sorry
for me-and, as have read, drowning is
not very painful DEATH
You shock me, Fanny! I, for one,
should be sorry for you"
''Thauk you, miss. F"
''And try TO remember" Iris continued,
"that there may be chances in the future
which you don't see yet. You speak of
what you have read, and 1 have already
noticed how clearly and correctly you ex
press yourself. You must have been edu-
Gated. Was it at home or at SCHOOL,"
"I was once sent to school," Fanny re-
piled. not quite willingly.
"Was it a private SCHOOL,"
Eyes"
That short answer warned Iris to be
careful.
"Recollections of school, she said good
humoredly, ARE not the pleasantest re-
collections in some of our lives Perhaps
l have touched on subject which is dis
agreeable to your"
You have touched on one of nv disap-
pointments, miss. While my mother lived
she was my teacher. After her death nv