Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1892-02-26
FLORA'S FORTUNES.

Flora Darcy dropped the elaborate
strip OF scarlet worsted upon which
she was at work and hurried forward
to her place behind the counter. for
Messrs Screw & Pinch made it rule
never TO allow any time TO be
wasted" in their establishment. When
Flora saw the faces of the customers
she was to serve, she dropped the box
OF velvet ribbons and exclaimed:
Aunt Julietp And Clara"
The words broke almost unconscious
ly from her lips; the next instant she
checked herself abashed.
Dear me Clara faltered the elder
lady half angry. half confused. this
is very embarrassing to"
''Do hush, mammal What fool
you are" said Miss Clara Darcy, in a
not very flial strain. OF co urse we
aren't obliged to recognize any rela-
tionship with this-this young woman.
Let US go;' and they went
Flora Darcy had hard day OF it at
Messrs. Screw & Pinch's. and IT was
not until they were closing up for the
night that she had an opportunity to
clear the heaped up couutcr which
was her special charge. a pasteboard
box-cover lay on the floor partly un-
der the counter, and as Flora stopped
to pick it up something glittered be-
meath ia gilt-clasped portmonnale.
Some lady has left her portmon-
naie on the counter. and it has got
brushed OF with the trimmings" was
the girls first thought as she opened
it. Il never saw so much money at
one time in all my life beiore!'
At the same instant a perfumed
card dropped from the inner COM
partment-a card engraved in Ger
man text
MRS DEvEREUN DARCY.
The blood instinctivcly rushed into
Flora's pale and weariod cheek
1T is Aunt Juliets purse and the
money is hers-no ours! Did not
her husband meanly deprive my
mother OF her poor little fortune?
Does he not live in luxury while we
are starving? But it is not mine. |
will take it to Aunt Darcy at once.
She turned resolutely toward the
aristocratic quarter of the city, in
which dweit Mrs. DevereauX Darcy.
1t was long walk but Flora scarcely
needed it SO eager was she TO rid her.
self OF The tiny burden that was mo-
mentar.ly growing heavier in her heart
and hand.
Mrs Darcy was at dinner; she could
see no one, was the answer Flora re-
ceivcd when she requested brief in
terview with her aunt; nor was she
blind to tho footman's insolence and
supercilious stare as he delivered his
stereotyped answer.
You will give her this parcel il
you please. she said little annoyed.
Yes. miss. I'll give it to her, was
Mercury's reply as he yawned vIsibly
and shut the door after her; while
Flora infinitely relieved. tripped away
with a heart many degrees lighter
than it had been.
u saall soon be at home now.
thought Flora. Il hope mamma is
not alarmed at my unusual delay"
Miss Clara Darcy who had sat
whole hour in full dress white kid
gloves silver bouquet holder and all.
was beginning to wax exceedingly inn
patient when at length DIR. Philip
son' was announced-a frank hand
some young man with thoughtful
grey eyes and port erect as that of
Hyperion.
You must excuse my delay, Miss
Darcy;we professional men are not al
ways masters OF our own tImo and /
was detained by a street accident--a
broken arm.
'.Ah, indeed?'
'Yes-a pretty little sewing girl. /
should judge-sent TO the hospital
And my the way. it's curious coinci-
dence-but her name is Darcy"
'DarcyP' echoed Clara
yes; Flora Darcy.
How strange! | thought added
Clara, with the glib readiness OF the
habitual falsehood- monger that we
were the only family Of that name in
the city. Papa -ahem he's no rela-
tives living"
The intense glow Of tho August sun
shine quivered ftfully on the floor of
the convaleseent ward. as DR.. Philip
sons footsteps rang. strong nervous
and inspiriting upon its threshold.
There was many heart leaped up
at the familiar sound but most of all
the heart of poor Flora Darcy. who
was sitting up for the first time since
the long, wearisome fever that had
followed on the pain and Inflammation
OF her broken arm.
All the morning she had been think
ing of DIR. Philipson. but scarcely
more than DR.. Philipson had been
thin king OF her. What should he do
with this fair. fragile convalescent
who was just emerging from the valley
OF Tn 10 shadow Of death9
She had told him much OF her his
tory the rest bad been unconsciously
reve aled in the incoherent rawlings Of
fever. Had Clara Darcy known this
she could perhaps have understood
the su dden and unaccountable cessa.
ion OF Dr. Philipson's visits and at