The Opelousas courier., 1897-01-16
took a chair beside her daughter and

mined little mother living in subiec-
ton to that %rawboned, gawky girl,
that Mrs. Morrill, laughed outright
several times during the narrative.
81 never heard anything SO funny
in al my life. But don't fret, Mamma
dear, such IN unnatural state of things
caa't continue. Affairs will adjust
themselves, somehow. see If they
don't"
"But GOT haven't an idea what she
ia," objected Mrs. Angler, patheti-
cally, whereupon her daughter laughed
again.
Mrs. Morrill, became"an object OF
intense alteration to Ellen, who let
slip no opportunity to show her re-
gard. The house WAS kept in perfect
order, and Mrs. Morri!l's room re-
ceived many extra touches that kept
it in a delightful state Of daintjness.
But it was upon the cooking that FL
len expended her supreme efforts, and
each successive meal had some unusual
delicacy to surprise ana please the
guest.
Mrs. Morrill, received the girls at
tentions- good.humoredIy, and spoke
many words OF kindness and sympathy
which never failed to bring to the
girls face that unpleasant flush which
always appeared when she was much
moved.
One evening Ellen knocked at Mrs.
Mo:rili's door, and without waiting to
be hidden entered the room.
II knowed yoa vas crying she
said, hoarseiy. "What's the matser?'
'Ellen!' exclaimed Mrs. Morrill,,
angrily.
"Don't he..msd," sail Ellen, calmly.
"You cry every night yon do be here"
Mrs. Morrill, raised her tear.stained
face and regarded the girl with a min
gled look OF amazement AMI terror.
''Is it herr demanded Ellen.
"Her!' So
"Yes, her!' repeated Ellen with an
energetic jerk OF her thumb toward
her mistress room.
Mamma? 0, nor
Then tell mel" cried Ellen, fling.
ing herself to her knees before Mrs.
| Morrill,, and clasping her arms around
her. "Tell me who's the dumb thing
tills I kill um."
"You brighten me-" exclaimed Mrs.
Morrill,, recoiling from such violent
sympathy. -.
ri won't hurt you. But I'm goin'
to settle your hash. Who is it now?
Viii | have You sitting roun' crying
out those eyes? You what spoke
words kline TO me-. You only vun. l
guess not. Think I'm dumb?'
"You are very kind, Ellen, and l
thank you, but my unhappiness you
cant do anything to l~esseD,' spoke
Mrs. Morrill,, sadly.
Suddenly Ellen stood, AMI demand
cd, sternly. "Where's your MANI"
"My man." repeated Mrs. Morrill,.
in amazement, son, you mean my
husband? I haven't any howl fear"
"What:s that?' with a thrust of the
hand toward a photograph On the
bureau.
eyes, that's Mr.. Morrill,. But-why,
really, Ellen you have no right to
catechise me in this way"
Eyes, ! have. Go on! Go onl'
But Mrs. Morrill, arose and threw
herself at the bedside in q passion of
weeping.
Instantly Ellen was beside her clasp
ing in those great arms the quivering
form Of the woman she loved.
"There a, there a, there a, there a,
there A. she said, soothingiy,
"Notting's worth it. No, no, no!
No. mol"
And because she didn't know what
else to do Mrs. Morrill, sobbed out on
that broad breast the whole story of
her misery. How with the love of her
happy girlish heart she had married
her husband. and had tried, for his
sake, to live with his people, who de-
spised her simple, questionable ways,
and treated her meanlv; but at last,
thinking her husband, too, had turned
against her, she had left them all and
came home to stay. How she had
newer told her husband her intention,
and had not the courage to tell her
mother, and how wholly miserable size
was.
''Ynu shut up now, and go to bed.
There's o girl of the name Ellen got a
hand on this. You fine it out!" and
with these extraordinary words the girl
left the room.
Presently che put her head in the
door and asked:
"Name Tom?'
"Why, Ellen, what difference can it
m IKE? His name is Thomas G.. Nor |
rill."
"Tom. All right. Go to bed"
The next morning the youth in the
elegantly appointed law office OF Nor.
rill & Gates, handed the senior partner
q telegram addressed to "Tom Moril."
The superscription SO surprised Mr..
Morrill, that he raised an enquiring
glance to his clerk, on whose face the
look Of amusement quickly gave place
to one of unconcern.
TearfisGsa,,open the envelope, Mr..
Morrill, reatbthe following:
Ton MoRIL:'am
She wat Is left is ,ain2. Come to huston.
1t ELLEN.
The remarkable s. sasture of the mes.
sage admitted ofny delay, and Mr.. Nor
rill started for ths next train, with all
speed.
When he stepped from tbs train ut
Houston he was approached by a wo.
of massive proportion who said
in decided tones, you're him! Her
"May I ask your name, MADAME"
"Vy, OF course. I'm Ellen"
81 really can't snv that Tn much