Smyrna times., 1892-09-21
A silence fOllOwed-apparently the


take what you can get"
A slight figure came out from benin,
the curtained rail and confronte,
ID Galway She was pretty, fair-hairec
girl, with timid, hazel eyes, and ,
cheek flushed with nervous excite
ment.
what wages do you give, said she
Eight dollars" replied Zenas."
"Ill come" she decided, after q
brief hesitation. 81 must get some
sort Of situation"
but l must take you home at once"
said the young man. MY wagon is
It waiting down below"
II must go home after my clothes, i"
said the girl 81 will be back here in
half an hour. Wait !"
She vanished
Now" said Mr.. Cummings, turning
over new leaf in his ledger, 81 call
that stroke of business for both of
you. They all want to be companions
or secretary, or something of that sort
1t sounds more high-toned you know.
But after all, good, honest housework's g
the thing"
Mr.. Cummings here paused to talk
with stout young man who desired a
position as porter in a store.
Zenas Galway sat staring at the
checkered reflection of the window
panes upon the floor, as they moved
slowly along with the westerning sun.
Little Elfrida Hewitt fled swiftly
down narrow street, up winding
stair to a close little apartment where
lay pale young cOnvalescent, trying
to while away the weary hours by
sewing jet beads on silken gimp for
the nearest fancy store. She glanced
up her bright eyes all inquiry.
"Well," she said eagerly.
I've got place, darling, at last"
The invalid drew long breath.
IT'S only eight dollars a month. y
pursued Elfrida, "but I'll send everv
cent to you dear, until you're we'll
enough to go back to the store. It's
quite a small family-only one lady.
And I'll try so hard to suit her."
But FFida-oh, dear little Frida-
what shall l do without you ?n cried |
the pallid invalid, clasping her thin
hands.
I'VE mustn't think of that" said
Elfrida, resolutely. You're going to
get well, aud then we shall both do
splendidly. Kiss me, dear, I've got to
pack my little bag, for the-the-car-
riage is waiting at the 'Headquar-
ters.'"
The carriage! They must be grand
people" said the elder sister. but
you haven't told me the address.
Frida."
Elfrida stopped packing, and regard.
ed sister with eyes of puzzled amuse-
ment.
II forgot to ask it, she said, 'but
will send it by mail. 1t will be all
right. Now one more kiss. Good by.n
Elfrida ran away, blinded by the
tears she was too brave to shed in her
sisters presence.
Is it very wicked, 1 wonder" she
she asked herself, ito let her think I'm
going to be companion to a sick ladv ?
But something had to be done, or we
should both have starved"
1t was twilight when Zenas Galway
assisted his companion to alight at the
door of the farm house. under the
yellow naples.
My mother is sitting there by the
window" said he. ''Go and speak to
her; she can't come to you. She has
no use of her limbs"
Elfrida Hewitt advanced boldly to
tie kind-faced little old woman in the
cushioned armchair.
Mrs. Galway held out her hand with
a smile.
"whO are your" said she pleas.
antly.
am Ine new girl"
Il am glad to see you, my dear.
What is your nameP"
"Elfrida Hewitt"
what can you do"
Elfrida colOred to the roots of her :
glossy brown hair. :
II can sing" said 8 he, and paint a
little in water colOrs and play the 2
piano; l can read aloud and embroid.
ern-
Land alive, child 9" exclaimed q
Mrs. Galway. What on earth do b
you suppose is the use of all that"
Can you churn? Do you know how to e
cook and wash, and make soft soap,
and"-
NO." said Elfrida, her long lashes v
dropping and her lip quivering. "But i.
can learn-Tm sure 1 can learn. if n
only you'll show me how. Please--do D
Try me-" q
Mrs. Galway found herself crying C
or sympathy before she got through. a
DO you think I've done right. 8
lenas ?" she asked the:next day. "The Il
'hild knows absolutely nothing of I
house work, but she's strong and will. o
ing. She's broken two of the willow b
PATTERN cups already, and she let the T
liam soup burn this morning. while a
he stopped to play with the cat. p
But she's such a sunshiny bit of thing. E
md she really does want to learn" OF
Right ?" OF course you're right. b
Never mind the clam soup and the Il
willow pattern cups. She'll do first m
ate when she's learned the A B Cof in
he thing" m
"And, Zenas"- al
Yes, mother" OF
She told me so much about that II
Invalid sister of hers in the tenement b
own in the city-the one that's had m
he typhoid fever, you know-that I er
ave most mind to send you to bring fr,
or here. She'd get we'll good deal be