Baxter Springs news. [volume] (Baxter Springs, Kan.) 1882-1919, 1890-07-26

WOInuu III buo COEucIs
poor fellow!' said Rev. Mr.. Knowles,
''he is wandering again."
81 am not wandering" said Lawrence.
"The fact is that this woman, taking
advantage of Mr.. Knowles error, now
claims mo rs her husband because she
knows me to DO RICH"
''Richr' put In Uncle Sanford, 'tif
money is all that is needed, perhaps We
may yet rescue my misguided nephew
from these perplexing entanglements.
Young person." he continued, approach
ing Nellie, and shaking his finger in her
face, "what do you want?"
II don't want you, you old BEAR" said
Nellie, beginning to cry nervously, mot
even II you're richer than Croesus."
johnson laughed.
''Come, Nellie" said Bessie, some
what sharply, explain this matter
fully and you will do much to atone for
your conduct towards me-"
~ didn't know he belonged to you"
sobbed Nollie, Tor I'd never have tried to
catch him."
Here johnson laughed again, but
Lawrence blushed and looked foolish.
sim sure 1 had no i'll will against
you," Nellie continued. "In fact, al
ways loved you ever since I've been
your maid. was sorry after Id stolen
your things and would have taken
them all back to you only was afraid.
I'm going to tell the whole truth now,
and don't care what happens. ! was
not bad girl to begin with, but when
my aunt died and ! had to get my own
living, / became o servant, for there
was nothing else to do. couldn't teach,
because didn't know any thing"
THAT Is not always an impeachment"
johnson interrupted; u have been n
teacher myself"
IL couldn't write novels, as some
women do" Nellie continued, because
I'd been brought up quiet and proper
and hadn't seen any Of these horrid,
FRANTIC !h!:Ss thcy write about SCI
Just got place rs maid. It was with
rich woman in high society, and I've
been thrown in Just such company for
years. It's an awful strain on young
girls character to associate with such
people. They mako you do an awful
lot Of lying for them. And then there's
the uniform-the servants dress. That's
tho thing that does the real mischief.
It's all the time saying to the girl that
wears it: You're only slave. What
difference does it make how you behave?
You can't 60 to Heaven in such clothes,
anyhow / got to thinking that /
wasn't as good as the other women be,
caus: I couldn't dress as we'll; and so
when / saw the chance to steal your
dresses I sad 70 myself that 1t would
make good girl Of me-"
Rev. Mr.. Knowles beld up his hands
in horror.
"Young woman" said he, 1.-THE OBJ
liquity Of your moral vision IS really
shocking. Did you think that stolen
clothes could make you good?"
"Yes, sir, did," replied Nellie, firm
~, land what's more, was right; they |
have. Since I've worn them haven't |
had an envious or wicked thought in |
my mind, except when this man dis
covered me and saw the prospect of |
big cuffs and cap again. tell you |
that il I'd had another week in Mrs. |
Harland's dresses not even that tempta-
ton would have been strong enough to
make me do wrong"
"You have discovered great moral
said johnson. IL too, stole
o chance to begin better life, and, /
trust, II Mr.. Drane doesn't take this suit
away from me, that 1 may yet reform
before 1t wears out. feel bet
ter now. Already have discarded the
language of o tramp, and the mendacity
Of politician. A few days more and
shall be as good man as Drane himself;
and Larry, old boy, let me tell you that
II you don't get rid of that Bowery suit
before it falls to pieces altogether you'll
DO moral wreck. Every time button
falls of the finger Of Satan is stuck
through the empty button-hOle.
"And as to this marriage" he contin-
ned, II am proud to say that was the
bridegroom. confess with shame that
married Nellie believing her to be
,ich, but now-now-Nellie, have
nothing in the world that can call my
,wn. Even my clothes, as you know,
10 not belong to me. But IL you can love i
ne, If you truly wish to be my wife, /
will do the best can to make q home ]
somewhere for you-for us-in which
whatever dress you wear will be the
ODE Of queen, and / humble, but
aithful subject always" q
''Dear Richard" said Nellie, laying ]
Ter head upon the breast of Lawrence's c
ate coat, beneath which the heart Of (
'ir. johnson was beating very hard in
Ieed II ono might judge by the express
ion Of his face. 8
''But you forget, Richard" she said, d