The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1898-04-20
Lucy's Lesson.

said Mrs. Evelyn.
81 hope so, ma'am," said Lucy Lee,
coloring and playing nervously with
the string of her apron.
Lucy Lee was the daughter of Mrs.
Evelyn's housekeeper, the girl who as
pired to the co4eted position of town
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 Auttered about the house, in
the first days of Mrs. Evelyns 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
your
"Ohr'said Lucy, 81 think likely it's
Maria Hart and Nelly Peabody. Please
ask them up into the sewing
Norah."
Maria Hart was waitress in n ladies'
restaurant. Nelly Peabody worked in
hoop-skirt factory; but to Judge by
their cheap finery, plumes and jet
chains, one would have imagined them
to be Independently well off.
Lucy welcomed them with O smile.
They had all three been at the ward
school together, and in her unsophisti-
Gated little heart Lucy thought their
raiment splendid.
$50 you're all alone, Lucy?" said
Miss Hart.
"Yes," said Lucy smiling; call
alone"
''Beau comes to see you often9"
giggled Nelly.
"Oh, haven't any beau, answered
innocent Lucy.
'Maria has, though" said Nelly
Peabody. SCOT engaged last week.
He drives bakers wagon and wears
the sweetest mustache."
''Is 1t 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"
"Are you goiug?" asked Lucy, think
ing Maria Hart must be the happiest
girl in the world.
''Yes, I'm going" said Miss Hart,
"and that's why I've come here. /
must have decent dress to wear, and
I've spent my wages, every cent"
"But cant lend you anything"
. said Lucy Lee in furry. II haven't
Q dollari''
'.Oh, pshawl' said Maria; "I don't
want you to lend me any money, You
poor little chickl Only Helen Ray
mond wore the sweetest canary-colored
silk, trimmed with real black lace, at
the Antelope ball last month, and she
said that Narcissa Hill got it for her
out Of her lady's wardrobe. Narcissa
keeps all the keys, and her mistress
never suspected that the dress was
gone for . night. Wasn't that sharp
Of Narcissa?"
~ don't know" said Lucy, some
what hewildered.
"And I thought" added Maria,
speaking smoothly and plausibly,
''that as Mrs. Evelyn was gone, and
you were left in charge Of everything
you wouldn't mind doing me a good
turn at Q pinch and getting the loan
Of one Of her fine evening dresses for
mel Its only for one night, yon know,
and ! would be very careful of it,"
"Oh, couldn't" said Lucy, color
ing scarlet.
Maria burst into tears behind o
dimsy lace pocket handkerchief.
'Then, of course, I can't CO." said
she. "And he's to be there-and--
and
Here her voice died away into a
half-suppressed series Of gurgling
sobs.
''Oh, Lucy Lee, / think you might
said Nelly Peabody, reproachfully. IT
didn't believe you were so selfish and
cowardly, Only for one night, you
know. No harm done. And dear
Naria made 40 happy"
s'But don't think it's right" said
Lucy piteously.
s'And Why not?" demanded Maria,
behind the pocket handkerchief. III
Il was any way wrong, Of course, I
Wouldn't ask 1t OF you. B-b-but
--" And away went the jerky little
sobs again.
And Lucy yielded.
Miss Maria Hart was quite in her
< 5sloment looking over the contents of
lsk Evelyp's mirror-frontsd ward