Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1893-02-24

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II am so hungry sobbed Ninette,
10 whose nature starvation had COM
Ipletely overcome the heroic element.
II have had nothing to eat since eight
o'clock this morning"
Mrs Berry bit her lip impatiently.
And the kitchen fire gone down"
said she, "and not drop of milk left /!
Well, TIL go down and see what can
find"
But when she came back. poor little
Nnette, who had crept into bed to get
YARN, was sound asleep. And the Mig
gardly sandwich and silica of withored
cake we're too late.
Mr.. Trebleton took Nnette to gem
teel intelligence bureau the next day.
"Tbis lady" he said 10 her, indicat-
ing a stout female in black silk behind
tall desk. Twill procure descent lodg-
ings for you, and put you in the way to
employment And, if can be OF any
further service to you, pray let me
know"
And he had given her hand fish
like pressure and was gone, before she
fairly comprehended that this was his
way of getting rid of her
Poor Ninette Poor little tropical
child of the South, how infinitely lonely
she felt at that moment.
But the stout female took up pen,
opened big book and began to ask
questions with bewildering brusqueness
and rapidity, and Ninettc soon caught
the infection of her energy
The rest Of the week was like the
shifting scenes which Ninette remem-
bered to have seen at pantomime,
years and years ago. She was hurried
from place to place in the great, noisy
bedlam of city. Nobody wanted
nursery governess the school lists were
crowded to overlooking from the stores
Ninette shrank with trembling horror,
after she had seen the smooth, nice, oily
faced superintendent of one or two.
II can do nothing more for you"
said the stout female at length, unless,
indeed, they can give you employment
at the Dec Grafton Rooms II won't cost
anything for you to go and see p
To the Rooms Of Decorative Art
Ninette accordingly went. The direct
rest was engaged. She would see the
young person presently. Let her be
shown into the work-room
A great, bright, well-ventilated apart
ment filled with busy workers, some at
frames, some at tables, some standing
before easels and one pale, middle
aged women was drawing design for
wallpaper on a huge sheet Of CO arse
paper-daisies, corn flowers. trailing
vines, all tangled together.
"That is not right !" exclaimed
Ninette, invountarily, as she watched
the slow, uncertain progress Of the pen.
Gil. 'Let me show You how to bring
that vine out !"
The won IN stared but Ninetle had
caught the pencil from her hand, and.
with two or three bold strokes, altered
the whole character Of the design. From
mediocre it bacamc original from stiff.
ness it took on wild. woodland grace.
"How did you do that p asked the
stupid, middle-aged woman in bewilder-
ment.
IL don't know" confessed Ninette,
crimsoning. But don't you see--can't
you comprehend 2 IL couldn't be other
wise II must come out 90 !"
A hand was laid lightly on her
shoulder, and turning around she found
herself looking into the calm, amused
eyes of the directress.
"You are right, my child" said she,
at could not be otherwise. But it il
not one in thousand who would know
IT, Como here, must talk with you !"
That half-hour in the work-room of
the Decoration Society was the turning
point of Ninette Beauvoir's life. She
had found her niche in life's temple.
She could scarcely reckon up within
her own mind the number Of years that
bad passed when she sat alone in the
little private parlor Of the Decoration
Rooms in the soft dusk Of March even
ing, with the red CLEAN of the fire filling
the room with dreamy softness. She
had grown from an impulsive child into
tall, beautiful, self-poisod woman, who
presided over the rami6caLions Of the
great society with queenly dignity and
well-balanced judgment. And Ninette
was happy now in having discovered her
true career
The girl entered with lights. Miss
Beauyoir glanced up.
81 shall not need the light, Gretchen"
she said ii am going home as soon as
the carriage comes for mo-"
"There is an old gentleman, Miss
Beauyoir, to see you,' said the girl,
apologetically 81 told him il was past
hours, but he said he had walked long
distance 10 see you. and seemed 30 old
and feeble that didn't like 10 refuse
him. He has portfolio under his arm
"Where is he, Gretchen In the re-
ccption room r interrupted Miss Beau
voir. 81 will 60 to him
A tall, STOPPING old man, with scanty
locks, threadbaro clothes and gloves
mended until they roscmbcd piece Of
mosaic, turned az she entered
"Do | speak," he asked, "to the head
Of the establishment p
Miss Beauvoir inclined hor head In
the dark silk dress and mantle edged
with fur she looked even older, more
dignided than hor years.
81 am very poor" he said II have
met with reverses in business and am
quito dependent on the cxertions Of my
daughters They have been brought up
ladies, and, consequently, are compare
lively helpless; but they have done a
little needlowork, for which they would
be glad TO obtain fair price. and"
"Mr. Trebleton !" cried out Ninette
holding out both hands.
He flushed deeply.
THAT is my name" he said, "but |
was not aware"
Have YOU forgotten me - she in