The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1891-04-25


with his aunt; "and l hate teaching,
and know couldn't sew all day long;
and, as to cooking, which seems to be
quite the proper art, nowadays, for
nice but impecunious young women
like me, why, that won't do, because
there is such an awful uncertainty
about my culinary performances. 1
never can tell until dish is done
whether it will be really good or not.
Well, I'll take a peep at the advertise
ments in this mornings paper, and per-
haps I'll find somebody who stands in
need OF such person as l am. Let's
see, now. 'Chambermaids, mattresses,
sewing, cooks. Clearly, those won't
do But, ah! now I've got it, or my
name isn't Bella. Ill have to put my
pride in my pocket this time, guess" 1"
The advertisement read to the effect
that a lady wanted person of refine
ment to do up laces and fine lawns
each week. The person of refinement
was to call at No. 10 Periwinlxle place,
and ask for Mrs. Goodman, house
keeper.
"And as true as 1 live," exclaimed
Bella, 81 believe that's where Georges
aunt lives. Well, she can't eat me,
that's certain, and 1 might as well do
up her laces as anybody else's. Even if
she should happen to see me, she
wouldn't know me. only hope l shall
get peek at her. if no more than the
end of her proud nose; one must have
some enjoyment in life if one is poor.
Queer that l never thought of getting
laces to do up. For, really, when l
come to think about it, what is called
fine washing is my only accomplish
ment l suppose when go there, that
Mrs. Goodman, the housekeeper, will
goto the madam and say: If you please,
'm, the wash'woman has come Well,
guess 1 can stand it, I'll ask Mrs.
Cordova and the Montagues on the ave-
nue. if they have any of that kind of
work to give me. And perhaps they
may know of Others"
And so, Bella, with brave attempt
to make her destiny her CHOICE"
dressed to go to Periwinkle place.
In ten minutes after she had rung the
doorben the interview was at an end
She had been politely treated by the
housekeeper, who, after close scru-
tiny, asked what she could do, and then,
her address, and finally gave her quite
a parcel of laces, fine handkerchiefs
and some delicate silk underwear to do
up. And the interview had passed and
nothing had happened.
"And, pray, what did you expect?"
demanded Bella of herself, savagely.
"Did you think you would see Georges
aunt, and that stunned by your charms,
she would Immediately eXclaim: Come
to my arms, you poor, stricken dear!
Don't forget the Van Duzener pride,
Bella-nor your own"
And so six months passed. Bella had
all the work she could do, and, conse-
quently, was so busy that she had no
time to waste in wishing that the
patron saint of lovers would turn his
attention to that little affair of hers.
In fact just about this time the course
of true love didn't run at all; it stood
1t happened that, during one of those
rare, brief visits which Bella now per-
mitted Mr.. Mortimer to make her, the
subject of that young lady's employ |
ment was brought under discussion.
Bella, with most becoming flush on
her cheeks, and an extra toss of her
curly head, explained the sort of work
she had found to do.
''For Heavens sake, Bella, couldn't
you find anything in this big town to do
but MGt?" gasped Mr.. Mortimer. "What
if that should come to my aunt's ears?
Why, Bella it would be the death-blow
to all our hopes"
"Humph!" said Bella, coolly, though
her heart beat angrily. "As for that,
the mischief is DONE if it can be called
mischief. marched right into the en-
emy's country the first thing In fact,
I've been doing up the enemy's laces
and things right along"
Mr.. Mortimer's despair was too deep
for words. He could only gaze blankly
at his companion and wonder if wom-
ans boasted tact wasn't an unknown
quantity, after all. Certainly, Bella
hadn't any
81 haven't seen Mrs. Van Duzener
even once" said Bella, after awhile,
with view to placating her lover
"Oh!" said Mr.. Mortimer brighten
ing. I'm that case, perhaps we are all
right, yet. | dare say she wouldn't
know you from hole in the ground"
continued he, inelegantly, but hopeful
ly.
Now, of course, you will give up
this business Immediately. Something
else will soon turn up; something more
suitable and-proper."
'Of course, l shall not do any such a
thing" replied Bella, Indignantly. In
the first place, grandmother has so
many poor turns that / do not dare
undertake any work that may not be !
done at home. And, in the second
place, this work that have chosen is
the only kind that can do well. One
had better be good laundress than an
incompetent teacher or poor seam
stress"
Tears stood in Bella's eyes. She had |
tried so bravely to do her duty, and, !
Instead of sympathy, she met only with
condemnation. But she was pluclty |
girl, and all the Establishments and |
coaXings of her lover failed to move her |
in the least. Then they quarreled, as
only people who are very fond of each |
other can quarrel. At the end of fifteen |
minutes, he said:
Good evening, Miss Wakefield"
And She, with corresponding flour.
ish of politeness, said:
Good evening, Mr.. Mortimer"
And the door closed between them. |