The Bossier banner., 1893-05-18
HOUSE TO LET.
How Love Conquered a Proud
Girls Heart.

s'We have got to novel" sighed Sc
lima Spencer, The wind tustled in the
leafless poplar trees, the muslin cur
tains Tapped in the draught. Old Dor
cas-, the colored servant, went on
sprinkbng the pillow cases on the pine
table in the corner.
s'rve seen it coming this long time,''
said Selma, "2he landlord has been
as good and considerate as possible"
''De landlords an old harpy!" said
Dorcas, "lsan'lords allays isr'
"No, he is not" persisted Selma.
I'VE owe him eight months rent al
ready, and l do not know how he is
ever to get his money. would offer
him the piano and tie carved rose
wood parlor set, if thought they
would possess any value in his eyes
in part payment, l mean"
Dorcas rolled up the coffee-colored
whites of her eyes.
''Dat piano as was Miss Adelaide's
when frs she come from Baltimo'
boarding SCHOOL," said she, Dat lub-
" funchure as was made to order in
AuHap iiSt Ntb MISS LlUd-nOG WV GlS
chile's consent,
And she rolled thin old damask ta-
BILE cloth very tightly and packed it
into the basket with emphasis
Mamma must know nothing of this,
Dorcas,' said Selma, sadly.
Dunno how you'se gwine to keep Il
from her, Miss Lima"
''lt can be done, Dorcas. I've thought
it all out" said the girl. ''She must
be made to suppose that she is going to
spend few days with my employers
at Newport"
"Has dey done asked her. Miss
Lina?'
mo, you goose! I don't suppose
that they even know that I've got q
mother. am only typewriter and
stenographer in their eyes, and render
my services at SO much day. Mrs
Plinimmom is known all through New
York rs female philnathropist, but
while she's helping poor immigrants
out of the slums and rcctifying the
slop question she don't appreciate that
well-dressed southern lady may be
In sore. straits But she'll make as
good figure-head as any other"
Miss Lima" said Dorcas, after a
brief silence, during which she rolled
and sprinkled, patted and folded with
unceasing vigilance. .. ...s
"Well?" -
II knows whar I could git four dol.
lars week for laundress or five dol
lars for cook. Tinl1 O. dat, Miss Lima, "
do you want to leave us, Dorcas?'
The old woman uttered subdued
groan. Lord knows it amt dat, Miss
Llna' Lord knows it's honor enough
TO work for de ole Spencers! But it's
money we uns wants-an' ebery cent
o dc ole woman's wages, dey'll come
back to ole missus and Miss Lima"
The long lashes dropped over Selma
epencer's lovely hazel eyes. "Its of
no use, Dorcas," said she. We've got
to bend before the storm. Hush! Do
you hear that tapping?' -
Somebody knocking at de dor"
cried Dorcas. why on arf don't dey
ring de bell?'
No." said Selma, OBTAINING her as
she was about to answer the supposed
summons ''lts the agent putting up
the 10 Let But, whatever happens,
Dorcas don't let mamma known
She rose, and, gathering up her hat
and gloves, went up the wide, gloomy
otd staircase. Dorcas looked after her
and shook her turbaned head.
"Mel1s b'lieve she's pow'ful bravew
mnttered she. Thinks ole Dorcas dunno
she's crying dis berry minutel Why
aidn't she marry Marse George Berke-
icy when he axed her, an sabe herself
all this trouble?"
Up IN the dimlylighted sitting room
mrs Spencer sat, a faded belle of the
oiden days The piano was open. the
window was full of carefully tended
plants; pink-shaded lamp burned on
tue table, and Mrs. Spencer herself
was engaged in creweI work with slow.
languid fingers.
You are later than usual tonight,
oehna," said she, fretfully. Perhaps
your idea of dutiful daughter is diff
'efent from mine, but l think anv
amount of Shakespeare and Browning
classes oughtn't to take so much of
your time away from your mother"
i stopped to give Dorcas orders in
.he kitchen, mamma" Selma cheer
'uiiy answered. But am all ready,