The true Democrat. [volume] (Bayou Sara [La.]) 1892-1928, 1898-05-14
Lucy's Lesson.

Lucy Ice WIS luc u""S"'o. v. '
Evelyn's housekeeper, the girl who as
PRED to the coveted position of Gown
maid" to that lady, when the present
incumbent had married the ex-coach-
man-an event in "high life below
stairs" which was soon about to tran
spire. And Mrs. Evelyn, called sud-
denly away to Boston for few days,
had decided to leave Lucy in charge
of the house on Madison avenue.
And proud little lassie Lucy was,
as she huttered about the house, IN
the first days of Mrs. Evelyn's absence.
Mrs. Evelyn had trusted her, and Mrs.
Evelyn should see that she was worthy
of the confidence reposed in her.
But the third evening Norah, the
cook, who took charge of the lower
regions of the house, called to her up
the back stairs:
''Lucy, there's two girls here to see
you'll"
"Oh!"said Lucy, II think likely it's
Maria Hart and Nelly Peabody. Please
ask them up into the sewing-room,
Norah."
Maria Hart was u waitress in ladies'
restaurant. Nelly Peabody worked in
o hoop-skirt factory; but to judge by
their cheap tinery, plumes and jet
chains, one would have imagined them
to be independently we'll off.
Lucy welcomed them with smile.
They had all three been at the ward
school together, and in her unsophistt
Gated little heart Lucy thought their
raiment splendid.
$50 you're all alone, Lucy?" said
Miss Hart.
eyes," said Lucy smiling; call
alone"
"Beau comes to see you often?"
giggled Nelly.
ooh, I haven't any beau, answered
innocent Lucy.
"Maria has, though" said Nelly
Peabody. "Got engaged last week.
He drives bakers wagon and wears
the sweetest mustache."
'Is it really true?" said Lucy, look
ing admiringly at Maria.
"Yes," simpered Maria; it's true.
He's asked me to go to the Seven
Maskers' ball tomorrow night"
care you goiug?'a asked Lucy, think
ing Maria Hart must be the happies
girl in the world.
"Yes, I'm going" said Miss Hart
land that's why I've come here.
must have decent dress to wear, an(
I've spent my wages, every cent
'But I can't lend you anything,
said Lucy Lee in furry. II haven
dollar!'
ooh, pshaw!" said Maria; IT DON
want you to lend me any money, you
poor little chick! Only Helen Ray
moud wore the sweetest canary-colore(
silk, trimmed with real black lace, a
the Antelope ball last month, and sh
said that Narcissa Hill got it for he
out of her lady's wardrobe. Narciss
keeps all the keys, and her mistres
never suspected that the dress wa
gone for night. Wasn't that SHARP
Of Narcissa?"
81 don't know" said Lucy, some
what bewildered.
"And I thought" added Maria
speaking smoothly and plausibly
''that as Mrs. Evelyn was gone, an
you were left in charge of everything
you wouldn't mind doing me a goo
turn at pinch and getting the loa
of one of her fine evening dresses TO
me! It's only for one night, you know
and l would be very careful of it.
"Oh, I couldn't" said Lucy, color
ing scarlet.
Maria burst into tears behind
fimsy lace pocket handkerchief.
"Then, of course, I can't 60" sal
she. "And he's to be there-and--
and"
Here her voice died away into
half-suppressed series OF gurglin
sobs.
"Oh, Lucy Lec,I think you might,
said Nelly Peabody, reproachfully.
didn't believe you were so selfish an
cowardly. Only for one night, 20
know. No harm done. And det
Maria made so happy"
"But don't think it's right" sal
Lucy piteously.
"And why not?" demanded Mari
behind the pocket handkerchief. {"
it was any way wrong, of course,
wouldn't ask it of you. B-b-b1
-" And away went the jerky lit
sobs again.
And Lucy yielded.
Miss Maria Hart was quite in IL
element looking over the contents
Mrs. Evelyn's mirror-fronted ware
robes.
81 guess I'll wear this" said sh
selecting at last superb glace silk
the softest sunset shade of pink. cit
be becoming to my brunette compile