The Press., 1892-06-30
LOVELORN LIZZIE.

's.Oh, it's you, is it, Lizzie?" was Mrs. Priscilla Kane's ejaculation as her pretty daughter, a black eyed, curly haired, roguish faced girl of seventeen, who worked in one of the big Kensington factories walked into the kitchen, swinging her dinner basket in her hand and humming merry tune.
 ''Yes, dear mother, it is l." said the girl, and she kissed the wrinkled face of the hard worked woman.
 ''rm glad you've colne," said Mrs. Kane, glancing admiringly down into her daughters pretty face: "Mr. Mer- Ger is in the front room.. He's been wait ing for you for about two hours, and Lizzie," sinking her voice, She had a long talk with your father, in which he said that he loved you and wanted to make you his wife. I'm sure it almost took my breath away when your father told me about it, for he's got good . business and owns lots of property be- sides. He told your father that as soon as you were his wife he'd satisfy the mortgage on this house and make us
 
 Lord knows, it will seem strange enough to rest, for I've seen nothing but work since l was chit of 8 girl, and I've grown old before my time trying to make ends meet Now put on your gingham dress and go in to see him.. He is in the front room."
 Mrs. Kane paused suddenly and stepped back with 8 startled cry, for, happening to glance at her daughters face, she saw such a marvellous change in it's expression that she grew alarmed.
 ''Now, Lizzie" she continued, "don't fret me and say you won't do it, for Pve got raging headache, and little more excitement will drive me crazy. am sure it's not much that your pa and l ask you to do You ought to be willing to make some sacrifice for our sakes."
 ''I amp answered Lizzie, and the hard lines in her face softened; ''Tm willing to work early and late for you, but when you ask me to marry man whom 1 hate it is too much"
 ''There, there," began Mrs. Kane. II knowed you'd only have one of your tan trums as soon as told you of your good fortune, but your father would go to the saloon and leave me to face it all, and sinking into a chair she threw her apron over her head and began sobbing and crying and rocking herself back and forth in manner suggesting hysteria.
 ''So father has gone to the saloon again, after promising me to remain away" said Lizzie, and her eyes snap. ped.
 s.It's because he's in trouble" apolo gized the mother, wiping her eyes ..H you'd only marry MT. Mercer and lift us ont of our poverty, your pa would be a different man."
 s'I doubt it!" muttered Lizzie; and then, speaking loud, said: ''Well. won't marry MT. Mercer-that settles it. Marry him? I'll go out and beg 6rstP' and, seizing her shawl and hat quickly donned them before her mother could interfere, rushed out of the door, and had reached the end of the alley be. fore that lady could get to the gate.
 ''That girl will be the death of me- Mrs. Kane moaned, re-entering the kitchen, and then rolling down the sleeves of her faded calico dress she smoothed her hair and walked into the front room. where MT. Isaac Mercer, d fat, pudgy man of fifty, with a smooth and very red face and a bald head, sat vacantly staring at the big pattern ip the cheap ingrain carpet.
 Rather haltingly she apologized for her daughters absence, saying that the latter would not be home until late, having to do overwork at the mill, and Isaac Mercer left, promising to call on the morrow.
 Lizzie meanwhile proceeded toward the saloon which her father frequented. She was obliged to cross the railroad tc reach the place, and she stopped at the little signal station, where she knew Charlie Hancock. the telegraph operator, was at work.
 Charlie was the particular friend of Ned Howell, brakeman on the railroad, who had been Lizzie's lover since. they were children together, and whom she had promised to marry when he should have saved enough to give her a home.
 Charlie" she said, tapping on the window to attract his attention, twill B be down tonight"
 At sound of her voice Charlie raised his head from his work, and catching sight of the girls pretty face, sprang to his feet.
 "Great Scott, Lizziel Is it your" was his ejaculation, and then, without mean ing to be harsh or cruel, he told her in excited, disjointed sentences about a terrible accident that had taken place on the railroad at the other end of the di- vision.
 As he proceeded she in fancy saw the terrible scene, but she uttered no sound, and continued staring into his face with dry, wide open eyes
 "Poor Ned was caught between two cars, and the doctors say one of his legs will have to come off He's pretty badly mashed and may die. All the wounded nR. SCOTT'S Electric Hair Curriers', D also Electric Tooth and Hair Brushes,
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