The Maryville times. (Maryville, Tenn.) 1884-1944, 1893-09-13
CHAPTER XIV.

CHAPTER XIV.
TWO QUIET YEARS.
The three days following my entrance
into Mrs. Lawton's homo were quiet,
restful ones, and but for the great dis
appointment that hung over my life
like pail would have been happy.
Mrs, Lawton was kind and gentle in
the extreme, and from morning till
night she busted herself to add to my
comfort. Twenty times day she
sought me out, in order to assure her.
self that | was well provided for in
whatever the house afforded that was
calculated to make my stay more pleas
ant.
literally Toasted on the many good
books in the library, and the greater
part of the three days spent there
porting over the volumes | liked best.
| felt that if could only be privileged
to enjoy that library for one long, UNI
interrupted month, could ask for no
greater pleasure The thought that the
three days would so soon pass, and that
then must give up my easy life and
the books, and take up d life of work
again, made me sad, and almost count
ed the precious moments as they
slipped by.
| often wondered what employment
Mrs. Lawton could have for me, and in
my anxiety to be informed on that
point was several times very nearly
tempted to ask. But restrained my
curiosity, resolving to await her own
time and pleasure.
The fourth day after my arrival, as we
arose from the breakfast table, Mrs.
Lawton said to, me:
Come to my room, now, Agnes, and
we will como to o final understanding,
and decide what our relations are TO be
for the future"
accompanied her, glad to know that
my future was to be explained, yet feel
ing little apprehension lest something
should transpire to deprive me of my
new home, to which | was already
dearly attached. liked Mrs. Lawton
very much, and to part from her would
have been source of painful grief.
well, Agnes" she began, when she
was seated in her own room, with me at
her knees. "Arc You ready to decide
whether you wish to remain with me or
not?"
81 decided that the first day | was
here" replied.
'And You still wish to stay?" she
queried.
''Yes, ma'am," I answered, nothing
could please me better; and if you are
so good as to keep me / shall try my
very best to please you and perform my
duties well and faithfully"
81 told you the other day." she said,
that am queer woman; and sus-
pect You have found me so. Still, you
do not know me now as you will when
you are here longer. Perhaps you had
better take another week to decide?"
mo, ma'am," | answered. 81 am
ready to answer now, and delay only
makes me uneasy lest you should turn
me away. If you can give me employ
ment, and are disposed to do SO, please
do not hesitate on my account"
Every WE'LL" she replied "If you
are satisfied, am, so you may consider
the matter settled"
She relapsed into silence, seemingly
having no more to say. waited some
time, then asked:
Mrs. Lawton, when am I to begin
my dutics?'
"What duties?" she asked.
"Why, the duties you have employed
me to perform"
"Ah, now, suppose"
: "Will you instruct me how to pro-
ceed9" l questioned, as she paused
again.
"Why, you know that already" she
replied. "All you have to do is to go
on as you have the past three days, and
enjoy yourself as well as you can"
IAN l to have no worl,?" / asked.
NO" she answered. 81 have moth
ing for you to do"
Then" said l, 81 have no right to
stay. have no claim on your charity,
and, rather than be burden to anyone,
I'd prefer to do any kind of work"
e. YOU'RE not going to be burden,
Agnes she replied; land there's no
charity in it. You want home and
friend, and want some one to keep me
company and make my life more cheer
full We can each furnish that which
the other wants, and each of us is will
ing to do so; and that is all there is of
it. A mutual exchange, with balance
in your favor. You give more than you
receive"
NO" l objected. you cannot deceive
me that way. l give nothing and re-
ceive all"
you do not know what you give"
she said. you do not know what your
presence is to me. You remember 1
told you had taken a strange fancy to
you? ] will tell you now why:
II once had daughter about your
age. My husband died when she was
small, and from that time she was my
only companion and friend Ny family
disowned me when ! married, and
treated me with such GOODNESS that /
never sought reconciliation. So for