The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1897-06-23

| knew him too well to try to change
his purpose; but have sometimes
thought that, perhaps perhaps, if he
had seen me, if we had been thrown
together, all might have been differ
ent. But you know now, Lottie. why
l shall never marry
"a chance for you, Nettier' cried
Miss Armstrong II week after the
conversation just recorded had taken
place.
And as she spoke she waived Lon
don paper over her head,
"What do you mean?" said Nettie.
"a chance for you to meet this in
vincible cousin and he be none the
WISER" explained her friend. ''Lis,en
to this: "
'WANTEp-A companion and maid
to an invalid lady in Kent. Some one
willing and refined. Address NJ. f.,
Thorburn House, Kent
"'M. E.r Those are your aunt's
initials, and surely l have heard you
mention Thorburn House! Now, /
think you will fill all these qunlifica-
tions, and really, my dear, to a young
lady of your income the salary would
I've decided object"
But Nettie did not echo the laugh
which finished this speech.
at is Aunt Margaret" she said.
slowly, ''and, though you are testing,
Lottie, think ! will make the Jest
l rAnus,, II,
India still; but should like to go
again to the dear old place, even in
the position of menial. Aunt Mar
'garet would never recognize me: but
/ would try so hard to make her love
me, and, if l succeeded, / might one
day confess to her how l became her
maid"
"But ladies' do not love their paid
dependents, dear"
"Ah, blood will tell, and Aunt Mar
garet shall love me.
And so it happened that fortnight
later, in pursuance of this resolve, Net
tie Clare's eyes We're once more glad
dened by sight Of the dear old place
she had never expected to- see again.
The welcome she received was kind,
but it was the welcome of the grand
lady to the young woman paid to do
service, though Nettie saw the almost
imperceptible start given by the mis-
tress of the house, when looking on the
slight, graceful figure, whose mir of
elegance and breeding could not be
disguised by the simp,e black dress as
sumed to masquerade the role.
"How came yOu to take such po-
sition, child?" asked Mrs. Ellison, one
morning, when Nettie had fulfilled her
duties for more than q month.
The lady had asked Nettie that day
to read to her; but, as she listened to
the sweet voice, she had heard none of
the meaning of tine words, but had
been instead intently studying the
exquisite face whieh bent over the
book.
"How little Thought, when | in
serted my advertisement. l should be
so favored!" continued Mrs. Ellison.
"You are very kind, madam, to he
pleased with me-" Nettie answered;
''but you must not ask me of my past
life. shall he glad il by faithful
duty can brighten yours ever so lit
tle."
There was real feeling in the voice,
which touched the listeners heart.
Proud lady as Mrs. Ellison was, in
presence of this girl she almost forgot
the social gulf between them. She
was i'll and suffering, too, and she
learned to long for the cool, white
hand which bathed her brow so
untiringly and for the sound of the
quiet step which told her her maid
was near her.
One morning letter was handed
her, and Nettie saw her eyes glisten
and tears of JOY drop on the page.
""My boy is coming home" she mur-
mured. "He was to follow his letter
almost Immediately, he writes. Next
week he will be here. Why, child,
what is the matter?" for her maid stag
gered and grew very pale.
Nothing, madam. l will go to my
own room. l shall be better soon, IS
Nettie replied.
But when she returned, though
calm, she still was white and grave.
81 must leave you, Mrs. Ellison ~
she said, sadly. II am not well,
find, and must send some one to You to
fill my place"
''Leave mev'cried the invalid. "Net-
tie, you must not think of such a
thing. If you are i'll you shall be
nursed as though you were my own
daughter, but I must know you are
near me. Child, what makes you 80
near and dear to me?"
But Nettie's only answer was a
burst of tears. And so when the young
master came to his home she still held
there the position of his mothers
maid.
"She is lady, Harry" said his
mother. 81 am sure of her birth and
breeding as of my own, but can get
her to disclose nothing"
To all of which the young man lis
tened indifferently, though he, too, had
oto,taI ~ o., ,,bt &c tIa al ,o,o a.,