Western liberal. (Lordsburg, N.M.) 1887-1919, 1890-03-21

home-this pure. peaceful atmosphere
Oh, | wish-how Iwish-l never had lis
tened TO Ellen Gibbs. And yet. IL I
hadn't. / must have starved or drowned
myself. Oh. dear. how hard it is 10
know what is rightr'
She went home and packed her poor
little trunk.
"My second month is up to-morrow,
Mrs. ~Edgecumbe." said she, in IA falter-
ing voice, "and ain returning to New
York"
10 New York? Oh, Dollyr' cried the
little woman throwing up her hands in
despair. "NWhat is the natter
Nothing, said Dolly. valiantly swat
lowing her tears; ''only ! must 60"
Has any one offended youy'
"Oh, no, NOT
"If you wan higher wages"=
mo. Mrs. Edgccumbc; you pay me all
earn now" protested Dolly.
"rhcn what Is it, Dolly; Dear Dolly,
do stay. You are liko L OF ourselves
pleaded Mrs. Edgecumbe.
But Dolly only answered with her
tears.
Il can't think what has changed her
SO, all Of q sudden" said Mrs. Edge
cumbc. 'The children have coaxed her
dear little things!-and Mr.. Edgecumbe
has offered her Il better rate Of compen-
sation, but it is of no use. Perhaps.
John. if you we've to speak to her
MIR. Gardiner sat silently balancing his
pen. regardless Of the big round blot that
had fallen on the Thirdly" of his next
Sundays sermon. 1t was a strange rev.
citation to him. the chill feeling that
came across his heart at the idea Of
Dolly Damar's going away.
"Ycs." said he. II will speak to her.
Somehow it seems as If we couldn't spare
her"
But even to his Kind ~reasonings Dolly
only replied 10y fearful silence.
Il must go" said she-''I must And
you. if you knew all. would say the same
thing"
Il don't know what I shall do. I'm
sure" said Mrs. Edgecumbe, lapsing
into deep despair. II never shall have
courage 10 face an intelligence Office
again. Cassie Merton has just been here.
telling me the strangest stories about
those places. 1t seems. she knows Of a
wonann whose whole business it is To act
as reference TO girls who cant yet 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
7 with whom the girls lived. at so much a
> head. Just fancy what n deception! The
police have broken up this place, ut the
I complaint of some lady who found her
self the victim of q dishonest maid whose
recommendation was obtained in this
manner, but who knows how many
others there may be-"
Dolly sprang to her feet. very pale but
firm.
p Mrs. Edgecumbc," said she. that is
! what | did! That is the reason l am go
ing away from you. / can't live On here
and bear the burden Of my guilt any
> longcr!'
. And she confessed i. all, beginning al
the story Of the Drc.den shcpherdess and
ending with Ellen Gibbs sitting up IN
! the vacant 6oudoir Of the lady who had
! gone to spend the Easter holidays at
Tuxedo Park.
"Now you know all, said she. PLEASE
let me go nj once, for of course you wont
{ be willing to AVE me sit down to the
E table with the dear little children again"
E And her words died away in q great
j burst Of tears.
Not willing indeedl" cried Mrs. Edge
u cumbc. "Of course | won't be willing to
let you stir a step from Lillieslcaf farm.
Is that all that troubles you. Dolly"
u isn't that enough" walled poor Dolly.
quite enough to satisfy me that YOU
must stay" said Mrs. Edgecumbe.
y "Why. Dolly, child. you're like my own
sister now Do you think ! will let you
q go back into such temptation again:
Never! Talk to her, John. Make her
understand that we like her better than
ever for having told us the truth-dear
& brave girl!'
And Mrs. Edgecumbe ran out of the
room to tell her husband that all wa:
y right.
Dolly looked tiInidly at Mr.. Gardiner.
"NVcll," said he. kindly.
1T is for you to decide" whispered
e she. Il will do exactly what you say.
you'll promise me that, Dolly"
yes" she avOwed. artlessly.
d "Dear little Dolly" said he. "Yor
navy AtbAiN wy NAbAAHf hAN VIZ hh
atoned for all that by your free anc
frank confession. Ny verdict is that you
are to remain here"
h ''Oh. Mr.. Gardiner. ] am SO gladl"
"Stop." said he: Il am not quite
e through"
u "Oh!' sighed Dolly. blanLly.
There is something else l want yol
TO do"
by way Of pc%nancc?'
! Doliy's blue eyes sparkled; her ole
Z playful spirit was coming back again.
% IF you choose TO call it peuance. yes
= | have discovered something within tn,
Il last hour, Dolly. | have discovered tina.
il you wen AWAY n great portion OF tho
. light and sunshine Of my life would e
d also; that | love YOU, Dolly, and thir
thing that l ask Of you is TO be my
q wife!"
Dolly hid her burning face among til,
leaves Of the big %geranium ut the win.
IS dow.
ell tlink-I- must -be-dreamiug.
said she. ''Because-how can / have de
n served such happiness as this?'
IF we all got only what NO deserve