The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1891-06-27

sell, 'Wnat jolly SOOu HcoTe shC BOus
When that shabby old grandmother of
fered--almost insisted, in fact-on go
ing to the Old Peoples home, so that
our marriage might be more possible,
or so that Bella might find more lucra-
tive employment away from home,
what do you think Bella did? She just
Rugged that shabby old grandmother
and told her never to dare to say sue h
a thing again. Yes, sir, she did!' And
Mr.. Mortimer, in the violence OF his
admiration, stamped his cane down SO
hard on the sidewalk that he broke it.
Bella, when she announced that she
must go to work to maintain her grand
mother and herself, found that the
choice of an occupation, to say nothing
of procuring the employment when
the choice was made, was no easy mat
ter.
81 can't typewrite," thought she, dis
consolately, one morning, SOON after
Mr.. Mortimer had taken up his abode
with his aunt: land 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. l
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, ahl now I've got it, or my
name isn't Bella. I'll have to put my
pride in my pocket this time, guess.
The advertisement read to the effect
that lady wanted a person of refine
ment to do up laces and fine lawns
each week. The person of refinement
was to call at No. IL Periwinkle place,
and ask for Mrs. Goodman, house
keeper.
s.And, as true as live," exclaimed
Bella. 81 believe that's where Georges
aunt lives. Well, she can't eat me,
that's certain, and 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 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 / never thought Of getting
laces to do up. For, really, when /
come to think about it, what is called
fine washing is my only accomplish
ment l suppose when l go there, that
Mrs. Goodman, the housekeeper, will
goto the madam and say: If you please,
IN, the wash'woman has come Well,
l guess / 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
doorbell the interview was at an end.
She had been politely treated by the
housekeeper, who, after a close scru
tiny, asked what she could do and then,
her address, and finally gave her quite
a parcel of laces, fine handkerchief
and some delicate silk underwear to dc
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 hai
all the work she could do, and, conse
quent]y, was SO busy that she had nc
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
stock-stilL
1t happened that, during one of thos'
rare, brief visits which Bella now per
mitted Mr.. Mortimer to make her, tn,
subject of that young lady's employ
ment was brought under discussion
Bella with most becoming flush OF
her cheeks, and an extra toss of he
curly head, explained the sort of worl
she had found to do.
"For Heavens sake, Bella, couldn'
you find anything in this big town to d.
but Mat?" gasped Mr.. Mortimer. ''Wha
, 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 callet
, mischief. marched right into the en-
, emys country the first thing. In fact
, I've been doing up the enemy's lace
and things right alongr'
1 Mr.. Mortimer's despair was too dec
, for words. He could only gaze blank.
at his companion and wonder if WON
ans boosted tact wasn't an unknown
quantity, after all. Certainly, Bell
, hadn't any.
81 haven't seen Mrs. Van Duzene
, even once" said Bella, after awhile