The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1897-09-09


bright eyes magnified to a gigantic size,
and glaring at her awfully
Miss Torpinter has told me all about
you," said the old voice that belonged
to the eyes. Have you good health,
Are you strong and active. able to eat
well, sleep well. walk well, able to en-.
JOY all that there is good in lifef'
II have never known what il Is to be
! i'll. or idle," answered Bella.
Then think you will do for me-"
"Of course, in tho event Of references
being perfectly satisfactory" put in the
Person.
Il don't want references. The young
woman looks frank and innocent I'll
take her on trust"
80 like you. dear Lady Ducayne, ("
murmured Miss Torpinter.
II want strong young woman whose
health will give me no trouble"
you have been so fortunate in that
respect" coed the Perso n, whose voice
and manner were subdued to melting
sweetness by the old woman's presence.
Yes, I've been rather unlucky,"
grunted Lady Ducayne.
But am sure Miss Rolleston will
not dissppoint you, though certainly
after your unpleasant experience with
Miss Tomson. who looked the picture Of
health and Miss Blsndy. who said she
had never seen doctor since she was
vaccinated-"
Lies, no doubt" muttered Lady Du
cayne, and then turning to Bella, she
asked curtly:
You don't mind spending the winter
in Italy. supposeS''
In Italy! The very word was magi.
cal. Bella's fair young face flushed
criInso On.
1T has been the dream of my life to
see Italy she gasped.
| From Walworth to italy, How far.
how impossible such journey had seem
| ed to that romantic dreamer.
well your dream will be realized.
Get yourself ready to leave Charing
Cross by the train de luxe this day week
at eleven. Be sure you are at the station
a quarter before the hour Ny people
will look after you and your lug
| gage"
| Lady Ducayne rose from her chair, as
sisted by her crutch stick, and Miss Tor
pinter escorted her.
| Salary, oh, the same as usual and il
the young woman wants a quarters pay
in advance you can write to me for a
check, answered Lady Ducayns, care
lessly.
Miss Torpinter went all the way down
stairs with her client, and waited to see
her seated in the yellow chariot. When
she came upstairs again she was slightly
out of breath, and she had resumed that
+, superior manner that Bella had found
80 crushing.
| You may think yourself uncommon.
ly lucky. Bella Rolleston." she said. II
have dozens Of young ladies on my
books whom I might have recommend
ed for this situation-but l reinem bered
having told you to call this afternoon
and l thought l would give you a
chance. Old Lady Ducayne is one of
the best people on the books. She gives
her companion hundred year and
pays all travelling expenses. You will
live in the lap OF luxury"
"A hundred year, How too lovely
Shall have to dress very grandly!
Does Lady Ducayne keep much COM
panyr
AT her agel No, she lives in seclu
sion-in her own apartments-her
French maid, her footman, her medical
attendant, her courier"
Why did those other companions
leave herr asked Bella.
"Ther health broke down"
Poor thingsl And so they had to
leave2"
"Yes, they had to leave. suppose
you would like quarters salary in ad
vanceT
"Oh, yes, please. shall have things
to buy"
very we'll. I will write for Lady
Ducayne's check, and I will send you
the balance, after deducting my com.
mission for the year."
ITO be sure, l had forgotten the com.
mission"
You don't suppose keep this Office
for plsasure?"
''Of course not" murmured Bella, rs.
membering the five shilling, entrance
fee; but nobody could expect hundred
a year and winter in Italy for five
shillings.
| CHAPTER III.
From Miss Rolleston, at Cap Ferri
no, to Mrs. Rolleston, in Beresford
Street, Walworth.
How wish you could see this place,
dearest; the blue sky, the olive woods,
the orange and lemon orchards be-
tween the cliffs and the sea-sheltering
in the hollow of the great hills-and
with summer waves dancing up to the
narrow ridge Of pebbles and reeds
which is the Italian idea OF beach
Oh, how / wish you could see it all,
mother dear, and bask in this sunshine,
that makes it so difficult to believe the
date at the head OF this paper. Novem-
Der. The air is like an English June
the sun is SO hot that | can't walk a
few yards without an umbrella. And
to think OF you at Walworth while
am here
Il could cry at the thought that per.
| bano Won will pavar aaa rhio lnyaI,,