The weekly register. [volume] (Point Pleasant, Va. [W. Va.]) 1862-1909, 1893-05-02

for that day, but for the next day,
and the day after thatsp She said
this very quietly as shetook my hand
In hers. I was at a loss how to re
ply. I'VE are to work together for
our living only, Sister Mary, make
mo proficient will be so diligent.
s'But, madam.
s.No- Sister Eliza.
Sister Eliza, how is it possible
that a lady OF means, whose acquaint-
ance I made but yesterday, who
awed me with her grand manners
and her carriage, should wish TO be-
come sewing womansn
Ask me no questions. This, how
ever, promise you. The story of
the old man ape is partially true, but
there is a-limit to your endurance.
In month from now. I swear to
YOU, your passage home shall be paid
pu; and, besides that, there viii be
ven you a handsome sum for you
start life with in your own coun
y; only, for Gods sake, remember
= at, just as you threw yourself on
my mercy, now throw myself on
yours believe you have character
and courage No harm VIII come to
you. want refuge and have
found it. Teach me what you call
the tension, how to tighten the band
when it slips, how to gauge the
stitch and what to do when the
thread breaks"
In day LEARNED to love that WON
an. All the naughty, proud manner
was gone. She waited on me. She
was the first up in the morning. She
was always busy. The porter of the
house evidently mistook her for one
of the two girls who had been In the
employ of the sewing machine com
had. often been in my room. Some
small extra compensation was given
him for the new lodger. She never
spoke save in English, and her COM
ing to me had been so mysterious
that I felt quite certain the porter
was entirely ignorant of her condi-
ton.
Certainly it worried me great deal.
More than once ventured to ask for
an explanation, but Eliza would place
her hand on my mouth so that my
speech was interrupted. 1t distressed
me to see how hard she worked, for
felt sure that this new life was hurt
ing her. 1 could sec that from her
pallor. If any one thing more than
another made me feel sorry, it was
for her beautiful hands. She seemed
to take infinite pains in spelling them.
They are filthy = horrible" she
would say, land still 1 think 1 care
for them more than should. If
only could get a thick, red, rough
skin on them"
AS she had said, the owner of the
store was only too glad to sell me a
machine. Eliza furnished the money.
Work came tous in mysterious way
left down stairs with the porter.
BY and by fashionable dressmaker,
who made dresses for the court ia
dies, sent for me and gave me work.
AS what we had to do was well sew
ed, and we ware always prompt, in
less than TIN sweeks we were doing
a good busin. My companion, save
for the daily .fchases made in tine
immediate neighborhood for food,
never went out. No one called on
her; she never received letter.
A few days over the month had
passed, when one morning, as was
running upa seam ina piece of cloth,
my needle struck something. Itwas
a piece of paper
1T is for me, Sister Mary, said
Eliza. She took the bit of paper,
held it to the stove, appeared to read
something and then opened the stove
door and burned it. did not ques-
ton her She worked on cheerfully
all day, chatting on Indifferent sub
jects.
That night when we were in bed,
taking me in her arms, she said:
Poor Mary, your troubles, gour anx-
ieties, are now over. Tomorrow early
apply for your passport. 1t will cost
you to go from here to Liverpool, say,
940, and the passage from Liverpool
to the United States as much more.
That makes ESQ, and you will have
something to spare. wish it could
have been more, but you will have
altogether e30O, which, after deduct
ing your expenses, will leave you
some money to begin your life with
again.
From me-who have learned to
love singularly honest and simple
minded woman-you shall have this
ring, and she slipped on my finger a
ring, 'but don't wear it; the diamond
might betray me. So far, Mary, you
have run no risk, but next week you
might be ruined forever, for you have
harbored"
/ was speechless with terror.
''Only a woman she continued,
whose own ife-or the life of any
one else who stood in her way-she
would care no more of taking than
would the cook who wrings chick
ems neck. Do not be shocked, Mary;
/ shall sleep as sweetly tonight as if
death did not threaten me. Ny story,
as far as relates to you, is soon told.
1t became necessary for me month
ago to disappear The simplest chance
in the world threw you in my way.
Had you been any other nationality
than an American 1 would never
have trusted you You mightgo now,
Mary, and sell me, Judaslike, for a
sum of money which would make
you rich for life -
cIT1nc, co1vT,JsivaI1y 70 hay and