The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1896-03-14
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 pcrse-
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 a 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 at n grand
ball given In honor of the eldest dau2h-
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 kcenest distress.
That very morning IL had all hap
pened. At nm early hour Mrs. Grindlay
had demanded an interview with her
In her boudoir, where she was sitting
flushed, nervous and terribly out OF
temper.
$50, Miss Whitford, you have condo
scended TO come at last" had been FL
sizes greeting.
Really, madam, made all haste"
the girl replied.
"of course you know why have sent
for you?"
"No. madam"
"What, after your conduct last
nightl'
My conduct last night"
"oh, 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, talked TO him out of
sheer pity"
"Fatuous young man, indecdl Do you
know, Miss Whitford, that that young
gentleman is worth one hundred thou
sand dollars vear?"
I'm glad TO hear IL for his sake, for
It would be difficult for him TO earn his
own living"
"That is all very fine" Mrs. Grindlay
remarked, severely; lit Is just such
treatment as that-for men are such
fools-that drove Mr.. Gibson TO take
the step he did last night"
MAY ask what step he took, mad
amp"
"As II you didn't know. Well, II you
must hear IL, 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."
No, madam, to-day.
ooh, yes; go 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 your
house, but / will not carry my griev-
ances TO that good old man"
And as for money Since you are
so reasonable, viii gladly give you"
Just what you owe me; nothing
more"
"Then, think, Miss Whitford, II
would be as well not to say good-by TO
the children; II is no use stirring up
fuss over such trife"
''Not the slightest use" Elsie as
scented, and left the room dismissed.
Back TO her old lodging again.
Then came time of adversely, of
perpetual daily disappointment, enough
even 90 crush the high hopes Of this
courageous girl. Advertisements she
answered by the score. Now II was a
public speaker who wanted an amanu-
ensis. an Office that needed an attend
ant, correspondent for n new com
pany, but the burden of their story was
always the samc-thc advance OF few
hundred dollars as an assurance OF
good faith-not on the part Of the
bogus enterprise. but on behalf OF the
unfortunate applicant, who was TO en-
bark her services with very dubious
chance of ever receiving payment.
To add TO her trouble her stock OF
money was getting daily more and
more attenuated, and in the midst Of
nll these worries an adventure occurred
TO her which only plunged her deeper
into difficulty.
One cold, clustering day she was re-
turning from fruitless hunt after em-
ployment when her eye was attracted
TO tall, slouching man. apparently a
tramp In n very dilapidated condition,
leading by the hand very tired little
boy.
The child looked at her with pitiful
glance which went straight 10 her
heart Notwithstanding his dirty
clothes and nnkcmpt hair Il was appar-
ent that he was a lovely boy.
The man noticed her wistful glance,
and looking round 10 see thai no
policeman was IN the neighborhood. be-
gan to whine forth tale OF suffering
"Ia this little boy yours2" she asked