Maryland independent. [volume] (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1874-current, 1891-03-06

lips.
''Ihere is a pawnbrokcr on Sixth
avenue" said she. "And | have got
my mothers old garnet ring and a
mosaic scarf-pin which my father
brought from Florence when he was a
sea captain. I'll 90 and see what
can do
"But-a pawnbroker.' sobbcd Ma.
rian. "Oh, Juliet, what are we
coming top
No worse than many another has
come to-" said Juliet. ,"Cheer up,
Marian! Remember that it's always
darkest just before daylight"
Aud she kissed the pale girl and
we t cheerfully out.
The garnet ring and the mosaic
scarf-pin kept them for a week. Still
they were seeking for work-still the
same oil answer was returned. For
every vacant pace there was at least
a scDre Of applicants.
They sought from place to place
they travc:sed street after street, but
III vain. And on dreary February
night, when the snow was turning to
diseolo"ed slush OH the pavemcnts and
a dismal fog hung over the streets,
Marian looked sadly up into her
friends face.
9Th soles of my shoes are worn in
holes, Juliet" said sh'. My feet
are soaking wet, and my head aches,
and-I don't think Lean 90 out any
me- e. 10 Of no use. think heaven
mas fot2o.len us.
Juliet, stronger and more courage
Gus, brewed her friend a cup of weak
tea, and produced two soda crackers
from the cupboard.
"Elt and drink, Marian, and you
will feel BETTER" said she. 81 have
heard of a woman who wants book
keeper in her business, and I must 90
there at once, this very evening, be-
fore any one Csc has chance to
crowd me out"
"You won't get the place, Juliet. "
GLOW do y IL know checrily.
81 don't know it, feel it."
"WcH, you'll see. Eat and drink, |
say, dear Don't sit SO mournfullv
there
But when Juliet was gone, Marian
rose and put the soda crackers back
into the cupboard.
"She thought | didn't know they
were the two last, - said she. "Juliet
was always hearty eater. She is not
so good at starving as am. But the
ends come at last!'
She took from the mantle little
vial of dark liquid, labeled CLAUDIA
mum (JuAct had had agn2 il, tx tx .g,,.,e
a few days ago, and had used little
of it, and looked at il qnestioningly.
81 hope it isn't very wrong" she
murmured; "but-but it must be SO
hard to die by inches! Harder still
to go to the poorhouse Oh Blackwen's 5
Island! Oh, no, could not endure
that!'
And removing The cork, she drank
the bitter draught.
Surely this would be dose strong
enough 70 silence all the pangs and
woos Of dozen poor soulsl
"Nill it be painful?n she asked her.
self, nesting down among the pillows
of l.ep bed. "Because have not much
sttl,sss,;ttlll 9Th to endure"
No. it was not painful. Heaven b.
thanked for that
a sweet drowsiness, like the breath
of pcpries, ovcrsprcad her being, and
with fa'f-murmured prayer on her
lips, Marian drifted into slumber.
"Didn't | tell you it was always
darkest before daylight? Wake mn.
Marian wake and rejoice with mel"
fhr ugh sort of cloud, Marian
saw ,5alict's radiant face. She strug-
gled into sitting posture, and tried
TO remember what had passed.
Was it true? or was it only a dream?
VINO do you think the woman
was V no wanted book-keeper? Why,
my mothers dearest school friend.
She knew my name at once, and she
saws she should have known me any
where from my resemblance of
mother She is in the perfumery
business-oh, such a nice big store!-
and she manages it all herself. And
| am to be book-keeper, with nice
salary, and you are to have good
place there, too-right away, Marian,
dear! And we can pay good Mrs.
Popover now, and live like Christians
again; and Pve brought home such
nice little supper of cold roast chicken,
aud hot potatoes, and pitcher OF
smoking coffee. A real treat, Marian.
Rouse up, dear, and enjoy it,"