The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1897-09-09
GOOD LADY DUCAYNE
BY MISS BRADDON.

her bread and helping her mother to an
occasional crust was by going out into
tie great unknown world a. companion
TO lady, She was willing to go to any
lady rich enough to pay her salary,
and 50 eccentric as to wish for hired
companion. Five shillings told of re-
luctantly from one Of those sovereigns
which were 50 rare with the mother
and daughter, and which melted away
70 quickly, five solid shilliAgs had been
handed to . smArtly dressed lady in N
ofsioe in Harbeck Street, w, in the
hope that this Wy Superior Pereon
would find a situation and q salary for
Miss Rolleston.
The Superior Person glanced at the
two half crowns IS they lay on the
table where Bsllas hand had placed
them, to make sure that they were nei-
ther Of them forms, before she wrote a
description OF Bella's qualifications and
requirements in formidable looking
ledger.
"Agef' she asked, CURLY.
Eighteen, last July"
ANY accomplishments
No' all nut dI dll ACCOulpllSNeu-
Ii were should want to be govern
ess-a companion seems the lowest
stage"
I'VE have some highly accomplished
ladies on our books as companions, or
chaperon companions"
''Oh, l know" babbled Bella, loqua-
cious in her youthful candor. But
that is quite different thing. Mother
hasn't been able to afford piano since
was twelve years old, so I'm afraid
have forgotten how to play. And /
have had to help mother with her nee
dlework, so there hasn't been much
time to study"
please don't waste time upon ex.
planning what you can't do, but kindly
tell me what you can do" said the Su-
perior Person, crushingly. with her pen
poised between delicate fingers waiting
to write. Can you read aloud for two
or three hours at stretch2 Are you
active and handy, an early riser, good
walker, sweet tempered and oblig-
mgr
IL can say yes to all those questions
except about the sweetness. think I
have a pretty good temper, and should
be anxious to oblige anybody who paid
for my services. / should want them
to feel that was really earning my
salary"
''The kind of ladies whs come to me
would not care for a talkative compan
ion," said the Person, severely. having
finished writing in her book. my
connection lie, chiefly among the aris-
tocracy, and in that class considerable
Difference is expected"
''Oh, of course, said Bella; ''but it's
quite different when I'm talking to you.
want to tell you all about myself once
and forever"
Il sm glad it is TO be only oncer
said the Person, with the edges of her
lips.
The Person was of uncertain age,
tightly laced in black silk gown. She
had powdery complexion and hand
some clump of somebody elss's hair on
she top of her head. 1t may be that
Bella's girlish freshness and vivacity
had an irritating effect upon nerves
weakened by An eight hour day in that
overheated second floor in Harbeck
Street. To Bella the official apartment,
with its Brussels carpet, velvet curtains
and velvet chairs, and French clock,
ticking loud on the marble chimney
piece, suggested tho luxury of a palace.
as compared with another second floor
in Walworth where Mrs. Rolleston and
her daughter had managed to exist for
the last six years.
''Do you think you have anything on
your books that would suit mey' fal.
tered Bella, after a pause.
"Oh, dear, no; have nothing in
view at present." ans wered the Person,
who had swept Bellas half crowns
into a drawer, absent mindedly, with
the tips OF her fingers. "You see, you
are 80 very unformsd-so much too
young to be a companion to lady Of
position. 1t is a pity you have not
enough education for a nursery govern
ess that would bs more in your line,
probably"
''And do you think it will be very
long before you can get me situationy'
asked Bella, doubtfully.
rediiy CdnnoI Say. nave you any
particular reason for being so impatient
not love affair, hopper
"A love AFFAIR."" cried Bella. with
flaming cheeks. "What utter non
sense want a situation because
mother is poor, and hate being bur-
den to her."
''There won't be much margin for
sharing in the salary you are likely to
get at your age--aLd with your-very-
uniformed manners" said the Per,o
who found Bella's peony cheeks bright
eyes and unbridled vivacity more and
more oppressive.
Perhaps if you'd be kind enough to
give me back the fee could take it to
an agency where the connection isn't
quite so aristocratic,' said Bella, who
as she told her mother in her recital OF
ths interview-wss determined not to
be sat on.
You will find no agency that can do
more for you than mine,'' replied the
Person, whose harpy fingers never re-