The free press., 1896-08-20

"Who is it?" said Eveleen, in sur
prise.
"it's Mary Ann Blake, from Claws
Corners, Michigan. Wants something
to do. Expects mo to take her in and
give her home until she can obtain a
situation"
''There's the little hall bedroom
that you don't use," limited Eveleen,
who had sort of instructive sympathy
for the houseless and homeless.
'T want that for Mr.. Sykes rela-
tives when they come to town." said
Mrs. Sykes. "He's got a single
brother with property, and married
sister, with no children, who is very
well off indeed? and if I don't want it /;
don't propose to open free asylum
for every old maid that comes along"
'But what will she do?"
"Do? Why, do as other folks do, l
suppose. Go to cheap boarding
house. There's plenty of 'em, I'm
sure"
''But if she hasn't got any money!"
"Thon she's no business here"
said autocratic Mrs. Sykes. "Why
didn't she stay out West, where her
friends could take care of her?"
Perhaps she hasn't any friends.
"Then she certainly must be an un-
deserving character" said Mrs. Sykes
shaking the rusk crumbs down upon
Eyeleen's neatly-swopt carpet. "Oh,
here's Selma Smith, as true as the
world"
Mrs. John Smith came futtering
ina thin, ,shnrp-featured little woman
with swapping black eyes.
"Oh," she cried, "you're here, are
you, Debby? How do, Eyeleen?
Well, since you're taking tea, will
have cup! Heard the news?" as she
baU QeFSelI uOWu.
"About Mary Ann Blake? Yes, of
course" answered Mrs. Sykes, with a
toss of the head. She's been to see
me but I sent her about her busi-
ness"
"Well, she certainly can't expect us
to provide for her" said Mrs. Smith,
beginning to crumble up the reserve
of crackers that Eveleen had brought
out, with a sigh. ''Smith's salary amt
large, and I've considerable-sized
family of my own. I told her pretty
plainly that, US far as 1 was concerned,
she needn't expect anything. do
hate these genteel beggars! And If
she should come here, Eveleen, l hope
you will give her the cold shoulder.
HushI There's knock now. If it
should be her!"
''lt's good thing we are here to
advise" said Mrs. Sykes, as Eveleen
went to the door. "Eveleen is SO un-
suspectingl Any one could impose
upon her!"
"Yes, to-bes sure" nodded Mrs.
Smith, complacently. "And- But,
dear me, it is Mary Ami"
Both the sisters nodded frigidly at
the approach OF q tall, nervous-looking
woman, in shabby black, followed by
Eveleen, who drew out the softest
easy-chair for her accommodation, and
gently united her wispy bonnet
strings.
.Do sit down." said Eveleen. 81
am sure you are tired. Let me give
you a cup of ten. /"
"Yes," said Mary Ann Blake, look
ing apprehensively from Mrs. John
Sykes to Mrs. John Smith, 81 am
tired. have been walking a good
ways"
81 hope you've got situation,"
said Mrs. Smith, icily.
But Mary Ann Blake shook her
head.
''It was very foolish of you to come
here at all, wasting your money on an
expensive journey" said Mrs. Sykes.
"Why couldn't you go to Aunt Pam
ella.
(Now Aunt Pamela was the rich old
aunt in Wisconsin, who 30 systemati-
cally ignored her nieces in New York,
and kept her money in United States
bonds, instend of investing it in Mr..
Sykes wholesale grocery, or Mr..
Smiths insurance company
II did," said Mary Ann, dejectedly,
"But she declined to assist me-"
"Stingy old harridan!" said Mrs.
Sykes, with energy.