Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1897-08-28
Dolly hesitated.

It's pity if We poor girls can't
outwit the fine ladies now and then.
Any time after Monday Mrs. Nyton
will be at home.n
Poor Dolly argued the point fee
bly,, but finally gave in, and little
Mrs. Edgecumbe, of Lilliesleaf Farm,
was more than delighted with the
Recommendation she obtained for
her new maid in the Mallalieu Square
mansion.
''Such an elegant house |" she
said. "And tea gown of olive
plush such as / never saw out of o
fashion plate. But l was surprised
to hear Mrs. Nyton, the lady of the
house, speak such dreadfully bad
grammar Y
Probably" said Mr.. Edgecumbe,
"she is endowed with more money
than brains"
sMost likely said the little house
wife.
Dolly Damar was quite happy at
Lilliesleaf. 1t was, strictly speak
ing, bee farm, but they kept cows
and poultry as well, and Dolly was
delighted to get back to the pleasant
cares that had been so familiar to
her in the old life.
John Gardiner, Mrs. Edgecumbes
brother, the village pastor, boarded
there, and they soon discovered that
Dolly was no ordinary, uneducated
"kitchen help"
The three children were blue-eyed,
sunny-tempered little cherubs, the
wages were generous, and Dolly
found herself at last in possession of
a home.
After the homework was done of
an evening, she could help Mrs.
Edgecumbe with the family mend
ing, copy music for Mr.. Gardeners
choir practice, or write at the dicta-
ton Of Mr.. Edgecumbe, who was
painfully preparing "Text Book on
Bee Culture" and day by day che
grew, she scarcely knew how, bright
er and happier.
She had experienced pang Of re-
morse when she sent Ellen Gibbs q
two-dollar bill in a letter, out of the
first instalment of her wages, bat
that was soon over till, one Sunday
afternoon, sitting in charge of her
class in the little church, she heard
John GARDENERS talk to his Sunday
School about the divine attributes of
truth.
Like a keen-edged poniard, it
stuDg her to the heart.
"And IT, she said to herself, lam
a liar! What business have I in
this happy home-this pure, peace
tul atmosphere? Oh, | wish-how
/ wish-I never had listened to FL
len Gibbs And yet, if hadn't, I
must have starved or drowned N.Y.
self. Oh, dear, how hard it is to
know what is rigbtW
She went home and packed her
poor little trunk.
"My second month is up tomor-
row, Mrs. Edgecumbe," said she, in
a faltering voice, "and I am return
ing to New York;
"To New York ? Oh, Dolly p
cried the little woman, throwing up
her hands in despair. "What is the
matter 2"
Nothing" said Dolly, valiantly
swallowing her tears; "only / must
go'
HAS any one offended you?"
ooh, no, no."
"Ifyou want higher wages"
"No, Mrs. Edgecumbe /; you pay
me all / earn now.'
"Then what is it, Dolly? Dear
Dolly, do stay. You are like one
of ourselves" pleaded Mrs. Edge.
cumbe.
But Dolly only answered with her
tears.
II can't think what has changed
her so all OF sudden" said Mrs
Edgecumbe. THE children have
coaxed her, and Mr.. Edgecumbe has
offered her higher wages, but it is OF
no use. Perhaps, John, if you were
to speak to her"
Mr.. Gardner sat silently balanc-
ing his pen, regardless of the big
round blot that had fallen on the
text of his Sunday sermon. 1t was
strange revelation to him, she chill
feeling that came across his heart at
the idea of Dolly's going away.
YES said he, 81 will speak to
her. Somehow, it seems to me as il
we couldn't spare her.
But even to his kind reasonings
Dolly only replied by fearful ST.
lence.
Il must CO. said she Il must
And you, if you knew ali, would say
the same thing"
"I don't know what | shall do,
I'm sure" said Mrs. Edgecumbe,
lapsing into deep despair. 81 never
shall have courage 10 face an intelli-
gence Office again. Cassie Merten
has just been here telling me the
strangest stories obout those places.
1t seems she knows of a woman
whose business it is to act as refer.