The Bennington banner. [volume] (Bennington, Vt.) 1858-1894, 1890-08-21
MoRK1Na FOE A LIVING.

Illllo bAlA HhNoNAVhf WAhi
her eyes full of tears and her pale fac
turned anxiously upon her sister. Iren
Ellis, a tall, stately brunette, glanced u
in unfeigned distress.
"God will help us" she answered sol
emnly.
Florence confined:
81 am at loss. How are two girls b
get along in the battle with poverty-w
who have never known such dreadfu
4 thing before and have never encounteret
life's hardships. Now we are throw
upon our own resources, and mamma
health is in so wretched q state. Poo
mamma!h
"Florence, wish you had accepted
Captain Winslowel" 3D..
Don't" .-i"
Florence turned away, her pale fac'
even paler. =
Captain Winslowe did mot love me
Irene. He only sought me for thu
wealth which was then ours. l have
been told ofhis love for another. And,
she added bitterly, che has held himself
aloOf since fathers failure in business;
and even when poor father died he did
/ not come near us. Don't talk of him;
he is heartless mercenary man."
Irene's eyes searched the pretty, ,droop'
ing face before her seriously.
''Florence, don't believe you really
have so poor an opinion of Captain Wins.
lowe in your heart as you give utterance
to. You are deceiving yourself. Who
gave you all this information concerning
him9h she added. TO-.
"Mr. Terrill." 70"
81 don't like that man, Florencel l
believe he is scheming for some selfish
end. He has loved you for months, and
I am firmly persuaded that he would
stoop to any mean and dishonOrablc act
to gain your love; even to the slauder.
ing of good mani"
Florence started. .tE
"What do you mean?'' she asked hur-
riedly. "'
Nothing; have no more to say now.
But answer me one question, FlOrrie-
honestly and candidly-do you care for
Mr.. Terrill?''
"No?" The reply was short and de-
cisiye. mo, do not. -.-,
Irene looked thoughtful.
''And you do care for WinslowePp she
affirmed. II believe that, Florence,
though you must not think that am
forcing your confidence"
Florence remained silent, but Irene
had heard the old saying that "silence
gives consent" and drew her own de-
ductiOns.
"Here," cried Florence. suddenly, tive
are discussing two nOnentities, when we
have real business in hand. Irene, you
and have a most difficult-perhaps i'm
possible-task before us. We must con-
trive in some way to make mOney-to
furnish the means of support to mamma
and not let her suspect the source of our
revenue. 1t would hurt her feelings to
think that her girls were working for a
living. Poor mamma-reared as she has
been it is not in our power to prove to
her the true dignity of labor, She thinks
that every woman who works with her
hands is irrctrievably disgraced. Irene,
wonder which Is the greater degreda-
ton, honest, though manual labor, or to
marry some man merely for home and
the fine things which his wealth can
supply?n
Irene shrugged her shoulders.
SIN mama's estimation" she said,
"therc could be no greater or more last
ing downfall and disgrace. to her two
daughters than to be compelled to work.
But for my part, glory in the strength
and independence which God has given
me. Do you know what have decided
to dO?"
"No! What is it2"
The question was asked breathlessly.
Irene smiled.
II am going to work in printing Of
flee. You know | once learned to set
type-just for fun-and now can turn
icl tn raal nrnHt Mr.
Norton, the publisher on North street,
| has offered me a situation. / am quick,
and tOlerable workman already; 'prac-
ticc makes perfect, you know; and | am
confident that in time | shall become a
good compositor."
But began Florence, obviously,
''what is to be my share in the pro-
gramme|'
"Oh, YOU must stay at home with ma
ma. You like to cook and do house
work, and, with little assistance from
an experienced woman, you can soon
perfect yourself in that business, and SO
altogether, we can contrive to make
mamma very comfortable"
Florence made no reply, but into hel
busy brain strange idea darted, lodged
there and took root.
Under the directions of an experienced
and practical cook Florence soon learned
to make the most delicious cakes; and
the odd plan which had originated in
her brain was to dispose of this commo,
dity-tO sell enough every day to add to
their slender income.
1t was rainy, disagreeable evening
and Captain Winslowe left his office witt
a weary step. lie was q successful law
yer, and had been occupied all day will
an important lawsuit which bafflcd ant
tormented him.
Springing into street car to ridt
hOme-glad to be free from the tOrment
and vexations of the day-hIs thoughtl
were full of the woman he so dearl!
loved; for Captain WinslOw was an hon
orable man, and he had given his who'll
heart to Florence Ellis.
What had been his indignation an,
surprise when one day Mr.. Terrill Ell
tered his office and astonished WinslOw
by informing him of his own betrothal +
Miss Ellis, and producing a cruel not
from Florence, in which she cOldly CAV
Winslowe his dismissal.
OF course he had no alternative but I
submit-but his heart was heavy, for h
sincerely loved the girl.
Then followed her fathers reverse
and death; but Florence avoided him S
studiOusly that at last he understOO
that she wished to drop his acquain
lance; and then all intercourse with til
Ellis family came to an end.
Sitting in the street car, his mind bus
with these sad memories, WinslOwe ol
served an old woman in one corner.
She wore long, waterproof cloak, an
great black bonnet with a heavy We
drawn over her face; but he knew !
her bent and STOPPING figure that 81
was old and decrepit.
In one hand she grasped sma
basket which had held cakes, though IL
stock being nearly all sold, but few r
mained.
At length the old cake woman aroi
hurriedly, and reached up to the stra
above her body to ring the bell. In h,
haste she dropped the faded black gloV
which she had worn, and which she ha
removed for some purpose: and,
Winslowe's amazement, he saw that h
|, hand was small and white, smooth ar
delicate as any drawing-roOm bellies
The car stopped and the old won;
hobbled forward; it gave sudden stai
: and she was thrown forcibly upon Il
8 track as the car dashed on.
. Winslowe caught glimpse of a deaf
white face, and he sprang from the ca
!, his heart quivering with a nameles
He stopped over the senseless form, al
uttered an exclamation of amazeme
and horror. Hailing passing carTiag
~ he placed the unconscious woman with
X and ordered the carriage to be driven
his own house. He bore the still inal
. mate form within, laid her on the sol
and sent for his old housekeeper
+ "Where am ~,
The old cake-woman struggled to
~ sitting posture. Captain Winslo'
bent over her.