The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-11-21
CHAPTER ".

the evening after the Summing party
word was brought TO him that lady in
the audience desired some practical adj
vice And presently he was bowling
low before Janet Andrews.
II was much interested by your talk,
Mr. Greener." she began. land would
like TO lay specific case before you, in
confidence, for advice"
"You may rely upon my respecting
the confidence" said Greener. who took
life seriously and was rather ponderous
in speech.
81 have a friend" said Janet, "who
wishes 10 bequeath her fortune TO some
practical work. But she finds it diff
cult to select IL. Could you advise her?''
'Your friend" said Greener, with
meaning emphasis. "is quite like others.
She wishes 10 enjoy, throughout life
which may be long. that which is not
hers, and afterwards to fling some por-
Ition of il into the gulf of misery, that
Ipaupers may scramble for ID. Your
friend might aid the Cause. But OF
course she will not do that. In any
case. / could not advise any of those
michievous forms of activity known as
charity. III she does not wish 10 aid
in regenerative work. she would do
much better to keep her money and
buy pearls and pug dogs. Better that,
bad as it is, than seek to make class
ard then ruin it,"
'T might have known I'd get nothing
practical from him." thought Janet, as
she turned away, her cheeks flushing at
the rebuff she had received, "but Tn
getting desperate enough for any
Hing"
And this must. indeed. have been the
ease, else she would never have called
upon Aunt Fanny Duyckincl, as she
did the very next evening. TO inspect the
tloings of her Working Girls Club. in
hope of an idea. People who knew Mrs.
Ducykinck well seldom looked upon
her ms an example of practical wisdom.
Janet was surprised when Aunt Fam
nv welcomed her in evening dress. The
hostess explained that she was so busy
that really she couldn't devote her en-
tire evenings to the club during the
season." "Come." she concluded,
''let's go down 10 them. haven't seen
them yet this evening myself"
She led the way down the basement
stairs In the servants hall they found
half dozen young women. A French
maid in dainty cap was with them
and books were strewn about the table.
: There was little chorus of "Ohs."
and "Ahs!" as the two entered the room,
end one girl clapped her hands. Mrs.
Breyiinck blushed and looked pleased.
"Mais, madame, vous etes charmante,
tires chasmante VOLTA une costume
magnifique! Nest ce pas, mesdemois-
elles?" cried the maid, tnrning TO the
girls at the table.
One or two responded: "Mais oui,
m'amselle Nanctte," in apparent pride
Iof their linguistic skill. The others
Mere discreetly silent.
"Yes, isn'tit pretty. girls?" cried Mrs.
Storye. turning slowly round to ex-
lhibit her finery. They're having a
French lesson" she explained to Mrs.
Andrews. "Nanette teaches them.
oh, we do lots of things. read to
them, and discuss the topics of the day,
and tell them what books are fit TO
read and which ones young girls should
lcnve alone. Well have more members
by and by"
All this was said with extreme volu-
bility, and In full hearing of the club
Janet looked at the young women. All
kwere well dressed and seemed intelli-
gent. One or two appeared as if they
might be sufficiently desirous of learn.
ing French 10 overlook such eccentric
sties in their hostess. but at least por-
tion of the group, she was certain, were
hlEving fittfc qtriet sport Mt a silly
Iwoman's expense. She was about to
talle her leave when n boy of nine burst
into the room. lie was in his stock
hngs, his coat was of, his waist unbut-
toned. his tie was dragging over his
shoulder, and he was painting as il he
had just won a race.
"Nurse says you're going out" he
shoutedin his childish treble. You're
always going out. Won't you give me
some money? Ill have 20 go TO Ihool
before you are up. and j want"
"Yes. yes, dear; you shall have it."
said Aunt Fanny. hastily. How care
less TO let you come down in such
shocking state! But no matter"
Then turning, she continued in a CHR
ripping. cheerful voice: "These are
Imammr's working girls, Horace.
please say How do you do?' TO NAM
pna's working girls"
How do you do?" said Horace, bring
hng his stockinged heels together and
Ibowing with mechanical correctness.
"Oh, French. French! Parlez vous!'
"Bon soir. mademoiselle," said Hor-
nee, without apparent interest, or ex-
pectation OF an answer.
"very good; only you should have
said 'mesdemoiselles.' Plural, you
know. Now shake hands"
The prospect OF immediate funds
rendered Master Horace good-natured.
and he graciously shook hands with
each girl in turn. The contrast, be-
tween his unconventional attire and
sssieS OF dignity was so comic that one
working girl concealed her face behind