The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1892-07-19
ELFRIDA'S PLACE.

n
mist; The great chestnut tree in the lane
was turning to a bouquet of rustling gold;
the asters and dahlias along the garden
walk we're poisoning in gaudy protusion.
Its the first year," said Mrs. Galway.
"tbat haven't been able to help 'em barrel
mn the red sweets and the yaller pippins.
And Pm helpless with the rheumatcs. On,
dear. 10 think it should come TO TINS!
WHATS that noise? I'll bet a carroway
seed its the cat among the milkpans! And
it's time the kettle was on Tor tea. ana
Sarah Soper's forgot to come over and see
10 itv'
She looked piteously UP at the clock. but
inst as she was about to lit up her voice In
shrill summons a foOtstep cIeaked heaYly
on the doorstep.
"lfs me-" said Sarah Soper, gray
haired. sharp-featured spinSter, VINO llVed
In the house whose yellow gable-end was
lust visible through the maple trees beyond.
'Pm a little late, on account OF stopping 10
buy paper Of hairpins ard two cards OF
buttons Of a peddler that came along,
Il thought you never was coming," SAID
Mrs. Galway, petuiantly.
Sarah looked sharply st her.
al tell you what Mrs. Galway" said she,
''you made great mistake when You set
vour face against Zenas' marrying that
pretty factory girl two years ago IL you
..Instead of depending upon other folks 10
come and help me-yes," said Mrs. Galway.
81 am beginning to think so myself. But II
YOU haven't nothing better 10 90, Sarah
Soper. than 10 remind people Of their SNORT
cOmipes YOU'D better 90 back home again.
s.And there wasn't nothing against Fanny
Walters as ever l heerd on" TeiiectYeiy
went on Sarah SOper, as she set match TO
the shayings and kndlng wood IN the COOK
ing stove. Except her good looks es,
Almira Galway, You made a mistake theTe;
Zpnas amt never been the same man since.
Mrs. Galway moved uneaSiy IN her chair.
I'Wbere Is ZeuaS, anyhow" questioned
the merciless catechiSt, as she settled the
shining tin teakettle in its place, aud slid
the hampers TO let the smoke 90 up the
Gone to town." CURLY answered Mrs.
Galway.
"Eh-what fOrf'
'.To get q hired girl"
Sarah Soper opened her mouth and eyes
"WelL | neyeri" said she. ~ on come
10 that-yOu, as always SAID nothing WOu4u
induce you 10 keep glrl.
THAT was before ! had the inf1ammatOTy
rheumatism" sighed Mrs. Galway. There
ami no laws against folks changing their
minds, as ! know on. can't be dependent
on neghboTs all the time.
Miss SopeT chuckled softly.
The idee of Zenas Galway In one OF
them intelligence Ctnces," said she. 1
would like to be hid away and hear how he
manages IT.
Il guess Zenas can manage as we'll as
ANYBODY" sharply Tetorted MIS-. Galway.
But she was nettlei nevertheless, and
more than once while Sarah S0per was cut
ting the bread, bringing the butter from
down cellar and opening jar OF preserved
blackbeTTies for tea, she SAID 10 herself:
Il most wish l hadn't made such fuss
over Zsnas' notion for Fanny Walters"
While these domestic preparations were
going on in The Galway farmhouse, Zenas,
the son and heir of the establishment was
sitting in a despairing attitude on hard,
implanted settee IN Mr.. Cummings Head
quarters for Domestic Aid" interviewing q
long succes si0n Of hopeless incapables, of
different ages and natlOnRllties.
Pretty hard to suit, amt yOu?' SAID Mr..
Cummings, lifting his specialized eyes above
the line Of his ledger at last.
It's no use" said Galway, In detected
way 81 don think my mother would have
one OF these women 10 the house."
well. look here" said Mr. Cummings,
"here is q gal just come in. Mebbe you can
come to terms with her.
But" spoke In soft voice, Il wanted
place as companion
well, this is a place as companion" said
Mr.. Cummings, d0ggedly, ITO On old lHdy
up c0untTy-0nly she'll expect you 70 hep
about the homework"
A silence followed apparently the candi-
date was considering.
You've been coming arter this COM
panion place for week, urged Cummings,
''and you aint had a chance yet, nor the
ghost of one. Come! better take what you
can get"
A Slight figure came out from behind the
curtained rail- and confronted Galway. She
was pretty, fair-haired girl, with timld,
hazel eyes, and a cheek flushed with QerY-
Gus excitement
What wages do you give?" said she.
sc ght dollars" replied Zeuas.
''Tll come" she decided, after a brief hes
iIation. Il must get some sort of situa-
ton"
"But must take you home at once" said
the young man. MY wagon is waiting
down below"
u must 90 home after my Clothes" said
the girl. Il will be back here In half an
hour. WajtV'
She vanished.
Now" said Mr. Cummings. turning over
new leaf in his ledger, II 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
heightened, you know. But. arter all, good
honest housework's the thing"
Mr. Cummings here paused to talk with a
stout young man, who desired position as
porter in store.
Zenas Galway sat staring at the checkered
reflection Of the window panes on the floor,
as they moved slowly along with the west
eTing sun.
Little Elfrida Rowitt fed swiftly down
q narrow street, up winding stair TO a
close little apartment, where lay a pale,
young eonvalescent, trying to while away
the weary hours with sewing cut-jet beads
on sken gimp for the nearest fancy store.
She locked up, her bright eyes all inquiry.
NellY she said, eagerly.
1--WE got place, darlinR, at last"
The invalid drew q long breath.
It's only SIS month" pursued Efrida,
but I'll send every cent of it to you, dear,
until you're well enough to go back to the
store. LIS quite small family-only one
lady. And III try so hard to suit her"
''But, Frida-oh, dear little Frida what
shall | do without you?" cried the pallld
eoDvalescent, cIasping her thin hands.
We mustn't think Of that" said EIfrida.
resolutey. You're going TO get well and
then we shall both do splendidly. Kiss me,
dear. I've got to pack my little bag, for
the-the carriage is waiting at the Head
quarters"
''The carriagei They must be very grand
people" said the elderly sister. But you
haven't told me the address, Frida."
Elfrida stopped packing and regarded her
sister with eyes Of puzzled amusement.
Il forgot to ask it." said she. "but IN
send 1t by mail. 1t will be all right. dear.
Now one more kiss. Good-by."
Elfrida ran away, blinded by the tears
she was too brave to shed in her sisters
presence.
lis il very wicked, / wonder" she asked
herself. ito let her think Pm going to be
COMPANION TO Il sick lady? But something
starved" ""'
1t was twilight when Zenas Galway as
sisted Ills companion TO alight at the door Of
the farmhouse under the yellowiug maple
bougbs.
MY mother is sitting there by the win.
dow" said he. go aud speak to her. sha
can't come to you. She has no use of her
limbs
Efrida Hewitt advanced boldly to the
kind-faced little old woman in the cush.
Toned armchair.
Mrs. Galway held out her hand with g
smile.
'Who are you?" said she. pleasantly.