Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1895-08-15
Chapter XVII.
ELSIE FINDS SOMETHING.


Life had so long flowed on pleasantly
at the Fifth avenue mansion that Elsie
thought that fate was tired of persc-
cutting her. Her pupils were all she
could wish, loving, affectionate, duti-
full; her eccentric mistress had not only
taken her into favor, but had actually
made pet of her, admitting her into
the family circle-nay, even into the
sacred precincts of dining and draw
ing-rooms on gala occasions. Only last
night she had been present ut a grand
ball given in honor Of the eldest daush-
ter's attaining her majority, and the
dazzle Of the brilliant scene had hardly
faded from her imagination than she
found herself crying her eyes out In
the keenest distress.
That very morning 1t had all hap
pened. At IN early hour Mrs. Grindlay
had demanded an interview with her
in her boudor, where she was sitting
flushed, nervous and terribly out of
temper
80, Miss Whitford, you have condo
scended to come at last" had been e.
sizes greeting.
Really, madam, | made all haste"
the girl replied.
"Of course you know why have sent
for you?"
mo, madam"
"What, after your conduct last
night"
my conduct last night"
ooh, you are all innocence, suppose.
! am abiding, miss, to your disgrace
full carvings on with Adolphus Glib
son."
what, the fatuous youth with the
eye-glass? Why, l talked to him out of
sheer pity"
"Fatuous young man, indeed! Do you
know, Miss Whitford, that that young
gentleman Is worth one hundred thou
sand dollars year?"
I'm glad to hear it for his sake, for
It would be difficult for him to earn his
own living"
"That is all very fne," Mrs. Grindlay
remarked, severely; ut Is just such
treatment as that-for men are such
fools--that drove Mr.. Gibson to take
the step he did last night"
MAY I ask what step he took, mad
amp"
"As II you didn't know. Well, II you
must hear 1t, then, he actually asked
my permission to call and pay his adj
dresses to you. really never was so
shocked in my life"
"Does the shocking character of his
proposal reflect on him or me?' Elsie
asked, with provoking innocence.
Mrs. Grindlay flushed furiously.
II do believe you have no conception
Of the word propriety. You forget your
position, you forget his"
"And you yours, madam"
"What, you are insolent-and after
all have done for you. You will seek
another home this day month, Miss
Whitford."
mo, madam, to-day"
"Oh, yes; 20 off at once and leave me
with those tiresome children. Then
suppose you will pose as martyr be
fore Uncle Woodgrove, and shall
never hear the last Of It,"
do not fear that, Mrs. Grindlay.
will not stay another night In YOU
house, but | will not carry my griev
ances to that good old man."
"And as for money. Since you arr
SO reasonable, l will gladly give you
Just what you owe me; nothing
moren
"Then, I think, Miss Whitford, l
would be as well not to say good-by t.
the children; 1t Is no use stirring up
fuss over such trihe."
mot the slightest nse,' Elsie as
scented, and left the room dismissed.
Back to her old lodging again.
Then came q time Of adversely, o
perpetual daily disappointment, enougl
even to crush the high hopes of thi
courageous girl. Advertisements sh
answered by the score. Now it was
public speaker who wanted an amanu
ensis, an Office that needed an attend
ant, q correspondent for new com
pany, but the burden Of their story wa
always the same-the advance of few
hundred dollars rs an assurance o
good faith-not on the part Of tn
hoeps sntarprisA butap, hAhal4 ri fh