Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1896-03-05
CHAPTER wv


tention of the loungers who ALWAYS in
fest that busy thoroughfare, bent on
staring every unprotected woman out
Of countenance. Many glance of hon.
est admiration is cast at the face of a
young girl, as she passes along. visit
fully looking into the upper windows
of the great business houses.
Her face is unwontedIy pale, and her
big blue eyes look as though they had
lately been believed with tears.
Poor Elsie Whitford evidently did not
leave carking care entirely behind her,
when she evacuated Oretown with so
much happy precipitancy.
Her case was a singular one.
Death had stepped in to upset Mrs.
Baxter's kind intentions regarding her
young protege, and the kind hand,
which but two weeks ago had written
Elsie so encouragingly, was stilled for
ever, and the house, which should
have sheltered her, closed and empty.
A kindly -disposed servant, won by
the girls sweet face, had secured lodg-
ings for her and given her the address
of Sir. Theophilus Grail, Mrs. Bakers
man of business, to whose Office Elsie
was now hurrying.
Mr.. Grail was disturbed when his
clerk announced to him that young
lady, who would not send in her card,
desired to see him on urgent business,
for more than once that astute gentle
man had found his sanctum invaded by
feminine canvassers with just such ex-
cuses for admission.
''Tell her I'm engaged"
,y,1 TIC
the cut of whip to the frightened
girl.
.'Giye him this letter." she said at
tell him 1 am the person referred to
in it,
81 wouldn't if were YOU" the clerk
said, sympathetically. He'd never
| read it, but if it's case of charity,
why perhaps might do something for
you, miss"
Elsie flushed Indignantly, then poured
into the mans ear the story of her mis-
adventure.
'.Oh, he'll see you all right" was the
glad assurance, and z minute later she
found herself in the great mans pres
ence.
1T must have been a great shock to
you,- Mrs. Grail confessed. with little
sympathetic cough, land under stand
you have no friends in New York?'
None
well, of course I shall be glad to af-
ford You means to return home"
But 1 do not mean to return"
Good gracious, young lady, do you
suppose you can remain in this big
c;ty?"
WHY. certainly. Surely in this vast
place there is room for one more young
woman to earn her living"
but what could you do?"
anything that is honorable"
Really, this is extraordinary. What
nerve you western girls must be en-
do.vcd with
Arc there not thousands of girls in
New York working for livelihood"
Hundreds of thousands, but they are
under the protection of their friends"
Il a1o sorry l troubled you," Elsie
said. rising.
do not be impatient. Why, bless
ny soul, do You suppose that am go
ing to allow al innocent child like you
to walk out into the pitfalls of this
cruel place-what do you take me for?"
III you cannot give me work to do,
nor tell me where it is to be got, shall
accept TO other aid from you"
Mr. Grail stared at her harder than
ever.
Il Think he said. you had better
rct~z:i 10 your lodgings, and will in
quirc among my lady friends what is
best to BIC done. You may rely on hear
ing from ne by noon tomorrow at the
latest. Even your activity can brook
SD brief delay, 1 hope
..Oi1. yes, sir Elsie said, giving him
look ont OF those lustrous eyes of hers
that set the matter-of-fact old mans
heart aglow.
Now. in accordance with instructions
from My. Grail. which our heroine re-
ceivet, in due course. she found herself
waiting with all humility on grand
'.socictr LADY," one Mrs. Clarence Grind
lay, il her Fifth avenue mansion, a sup
plan. for the position of nursery gov
erless.
4 gorgeous foctI-ian opened the door
such 4 radiant being IS poor Elsie's
backyyoods experience had never i'm
aGined.
''Wcll, what is i.?" he abruptly asked.
Il called on Mrs. Grindlay by the ad-
vice of Mr.. Grail. In fact" she added,
for she thought it would pay to be
little confidential, Il am seeking the
position of nursery governcss here"
''Oh, please sit down"
Elsie placed herself uncomiortab bly, in
one of the antique hall chairs, whose
hcraldic designs astonished the unso-
phisticated child, that had been taught
to believe that the citizens Of this free
and enlightened land were above such
fripperies.
IL = few moments there was the ,frou
JfrOu of q silk dress heard. and n stout,
handsome woman. superbly dressed,
ablaze in diamonds and gold. though it
was barely yet midday. and acconpa-
MED by two young ladies, equally bediz-
ened. made her appearance.
The gorgeous footman whispered n
few words in his mistress ear.
sob" she said. and looking Elsie
critically over from head to foot, You
are the young person Mr.. Grail has en-
gagged for me as nursery governess-
yes-I think YOU will do. Thompson,
you can show her to the schoolroom."
AID without waiting for an answer,
she swept into a room, followed by her
fair satellites.
Elsie's first glance at nursery in .
Fifth avenue mansion was revelation
size never. through veal or woe, forget.