The record-union., 1897-08-29

anu Oul. 1t WAS tOilS 1ic0
departed proudly from her brothers
house and the third new wife. She had
gone with her head in the air, proof
against the unlikelihood of business
prospering, and determined, in herself,
never to go meekly back
Three answers had come to her last
advertisement The applicants came in
person. and envious glances had been
shot through the curtains opposite. But
when they looked her over-ostensibly
the rooms, but she saw the corners of
their eyes-she had felt disapprovaI IN
their looks. The air was unsuitable, they
said-relaxng And one was seen later
knocking across the way.
''Oh, what a mockery it isl cried
Frances. There is no chance for me.
Powder? What powder would stick on
this hair Of mine? Oh, l wish L were
bald entirely!"
She went off on sad walk round the
premises. There were no hot water jugs
outside the doors, and no paying guests
inside them. The three old ladies she
had started with could no longer be
heard disputing shrilly; there were
marks on the stairs and in the passage
taken down. For the whole first day
after their departure Frances had re-
joiced in unusual peace. Now she had
begun to feel desperate.
Opposite, the two neighbors We're pre-
siding at their tables; one at dinner ana
one at high tea. The staid, capped
heads We're clearly visible, and the many
other profitable heads. Frances sat
down at her solitary table and looked
out of the window. She could not eat,
but her mind was busy. oh, that hor-
rid black hair of hers! 1t had never
brought her luck.
The morning post brought hopeful let
ters; but when the writers saw her they
would change their minds. She knew it.
She looked out 1t was raining fast,
and the city men were putting on water
proofs The water dripped on the small
iron gates. wetting the rust upon them.
Those clerks who had their gloves on
looked disgusted as they let the gates
slam and saw their fingers. Umbrellas
blew about and mackintoshes tapped
against wearers' legs. It was a miser-
able morning.
Over the way this weather did not
matter; only it was unnecessary to do
the steps. No. 16 was settling about
the dinner. No. IA was helping to
make the beds. But Frances O'Rell
had nothing whatever to do. The
house smelt empty. Every little sound.
even the football of the cat going sad
ly up and down, was quite distinct.
Doors creaked and windows ratified,
and the stair rail felt clammy. The
householder could not bear it any long
er. She put on a waterproof and
boots and a shabby little hat, and took
her lonely umbrella from the stand.
Then she went out into the rain.
At the street corner she found an
omnibus splashing round for start
The inside was not full but there were
babies, stormy babies in it, so she
climbed up on the top, holding on to the
dripping rail, and very sorry for her
skirts The tarpaulins had not been
properly looped, and the seats We're wet
and slippery; but she sat down, tilted
her umbrella, and stared in front Of
her.
There is nothing like rain for wash
ing out unhappiness. Sunshine never
lIuIy utlpS uC6tl ldClHC, OLly bAaNAAA7 AbN-
redeemed eyes ache too, and laughing
like mockery in ones face. Rain does
not jar, and stings one quickly into a
drawer mood. The big drops that are
not salt bring freshness that beats off
dependency. When Frances had sat
ten minutes in the rain on the omni-
bus-top her eyes were brighter and her
cheeks were red, while wet diamonds
glistened in her hair. She liked rain
and slanted her umbrella to let it come
smartly in her face; looking like girl
revelling, as girls are wont, in what
older people shun.
There was a block in the Strand, and
she sat forward, seeing it gloriously
from her high seat. Wet strands of
hair blew about her face and bothered
her, getting in her eyes. That only
made her cheeks the ruddier, giving her
a more girlish look.
A good many hansoms were blocked
in near the bus. One elderly gentle
man, with square soldier-shoulders and
a gray moustache. leaned out of ham
som suddenly. His look was eager,
fixed on little figure perched on high
He seemed on the point of getting out
and making a boyish rush among
horses heads and wheels. But hasty
glimpse of himself in the narrow look
ing glasses stopped him. He sat back
and followed that figure with his eyes
only. There was despair in them.
The block broke up, and with a slow
caution in their moving the big omni-
buses struggled on. The soldier spoke
gruff1y through the roof, and the han
n
look up old friends. He would not now.
+
Frances reached her rides end and
scrambled down to the mud. She left
the fresh rain, and courage, too, be-
hind and went soberly into an agents
mouldy Office.
There was cold comfort for her there.
The agent, a Madame" who was very
stout-possibly that there might be a
great deal of her for people to rely on
looked up obviously and smoothed her
sleek hair away fatty from the part
ing. Frances sat down anxiously, and
listened to some speeches.
Are you doing your best for me?"
she asked.
The agent was offended "Mesdames'
are touchy
$50 much so, Miss O'Rell that I have
had several complaints from ladies
| whom ] have recommended to call on
you. They have reproached me with
| sending them to-to-to so obviously
unsuitable a person."
"Ohi" said Frances
Unfortunately your appearance IS
that's not-such as people generally
said MADAME, f1oundering more be-
cause of her clients excited face than
because she was speaking plainly.