Weekly expositor. (Brockway Centre, Mich.) 1882-1894, 1891-04-03
MARIAN.

30 know that no harm was intended
Mrs. Popover did not gauge her phras-
eolcgy by "Webster's Unabridged,
out she was good soul, nevertheless.
Yves" she answered meekly, "Ive
been discharged"
Mrs. Popover waT stout and Short,
with no visible waist, n black lace cap
ON the side of her head and her feet
thrust in carpet slippers.
Miss Milman was slight and grace
ful, with rudy brown hair and plead
Ing hazel eyes, and locked every inch
tho lady in her shabby mourning.
PITY amt ftp" said Mrs. Popover.
This time o. year, tool"
Eyes" sighed Marian; ''but am
net the only sufferer. Thirty other
girls have gone too. Business is so
dull after the holidays. Mr.. Meredith
says we shall be Ce-engaged when the
state of trade warrants it. But j
haven't much hope"
And what ye goin' TO do now?"
asked Mrs. Popoper.
Marian drew long breath.
II don't know" said she, piteously.
Just then the door opened, and
blooming young girl came in, with
satchel in her hand.
lis this Mrs. Ropover'spn said she.
Does Miss Milman-Oh, Marian. you
dear thing, 1--WE found you at last! Oh,
how glad am TO see your
Marian gavea little gasp.
Juliet Powers!" she cried.
Yes, it's mol" beamed Juliet. Il
got tired of teaching school down in
HolbTook Hollow, and the trustees were
80 exacting, and the children so dread
full, that made up my mind to come
10 you and see if | couldn't get something
TO do in the city"
We'll, Ideclare!' said Mrs. Popover.
Here's Miss Milman herself just been
throwed out o business. I'd like to
know how she's to help anybody else?"
Marian gave the good soul an APP
pealing glance,
IL will do the best l can" said she.
And Juliet, an apple-faced, sanguine-
patured young country lass, nestled
close up to her.
II kneS0 you would help me-" said
she, because you know all about the
city. And oh, Marian, dear, I'm so
tired and so hungry.
And thus Marian Milman became
charged with the responsibility of an
other besides herself. And the days
went by, and situations were harder
than, ever to, obtain, and the little COM
mon purse was exhausted, and Mrs.
Popover's account became larger than
ever for the rent of the back bedroom.
with its hedeous green wall paper and
its dispiriting outlook over the tin roofs
and smoky chimney stacks.
Marian, :" said Juliet, what are We
30 doP"
She had came in, tired and weary.
after long days work at the old bust
ness Of looking for employment.
Marian sat gazing sorrowfully at n
clumsy parcel that lay on the table be-
side her.
They have sent back my poor little
screens and plaques unsold," said she,
with a polite note intimating that the
market for that sort Of thing is over
stocked"
'-Oh, Marian! And you worked so
hard at them!" with quick burst of
sympathy.
The moro foolI! To tell you the
truth, Juliet" said Marian, with a
forced smile, 81 begin to think that the
market for everything is overstocked-
life included"
Juliet threw both OF her arms around
Che slight young figure.
Darling, you're tired and discor-
aged" said she. You'll feel better
after dinner"
but Juliet, there is no dinner"
Juliet threw open the cupboard doors
and gave one exhausted glance around
ats empty shelves. There were the
two china plates, the two china sauc-
ers, tho neat knives and forks, the
pewter spoons, the nine-cent pepper
and salts-butthat was all.
IN go out and buy something, "
said she, cheerfully-"a neck of NUT
ton to boil up for soup, or an end
piece of corned beef"
'~You can't make bricks without
straw" said Marian, sadly, NOR buy
soup-meat without money. At least
I've never been able to do it,
lis the money all gone, Mariana"
"All but five dirty copper cents,
Juliet
Juliet clicked her tongue softly
against the roof her mouth.
Mrs. Popover will trust us for "a
few of yesterdays rolls or loaf of
stale bread" she suggested, cheer>.
fully.
mo. Juliet said Miss Milman,
resolutely I'VE are already too
much in Mrs. Pepovers debt. l will
ask no more favors from her"
Must we starveP" resentfully de-
manded Juliet.
IL would rather starve than sink
into the quiclrsands of debG" Marian
grimly answered.
Juliets cheeks flushed; she bit her
lips.
There il pawnbroker's on Sixth
Avenue" said she. land / have got
my mothers old garnet ring and a
mosaic scarf-pin which my father