Gulf Coast breeze. [volume] (Crawfordville, Fla.) 1897-19??, 1898-05-13
LuCy's Lesson.

81 think 1 can trust you, Lucy"
said Mrs. Evelyn.
"I 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
PRED TO the coveted 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 u proud little lassie Lucy was,
as she nuttered 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
youw
"Ohl'said Lucy, 81 think likely it's
Maria Hart and Nelly Peabody. Please
ask them up into the sewing-room,
Norah.
Maria Hart was waitress in a ladies'
restaurant. Nelly Peabody worked in
o hocp-skirt factory; but to judge by
their cheap tinery, plumes and jet
chains, one would have imagined them
to be independently well of.
Lucy welcomed them with a smile.
They had all three been at the ward
school together, and i'll her unsophisti-
Gated little heart Lucy thought their
raiment splendid.
$50 you're all alone, Lucy?" said
Miss Hart.
YES" said Lucy smiling; "all
alone"
"Beau comes to see you often?"
giggled Nelly.
sob, haven't any beau, answered
innocent Lucy.
"Maria has, though" said Nelly
Peabody. Got engaged last week.
He drives n bakers wagon and wears
the sweetest mustache."
"Is it really trueP" 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 going?" asked Lucy, think
ing Maria Hart must be the happiest
girl in the world. .N..
''Yes, I'm going" said Miss Hart,
land that's why I've come here. I
must have decent dress to wear, and
I've spent my wages, every cent"
"But can't lend you anything"
said Lucy Lee in furry. II haven't
q dollar!"
"Oh, pshaw!" said Maria; 81 don't
want you to lend me any money, you
poor little chick! 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?"
81 don't know" said Lucy, some
what bewildered.
"And 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 pinch aud getting the loan
of one Of her fine evening dresses for
me! It's only for one night, you know,
and would be very careful of it."
"Oh, 1 couldn't" said Lucy, color
ing scarlet.
Maria burst into tears behind a
fimsy lace pocket handkerchief.
"Then, of course, / can't CO." said
she. "And he's to be there--and--
and"
Here her voice died away into
half-suppressed series OF gurgling
sobs.
"Oh, Lucy Lee, I think You might"
said Nelly Peabody, reproachfully. 81
didn't believe you were so selfish and
cowardly. Only for one night, you
know. No harm done. And dear
Maria made so happy"
''But / don't think it's right" said
Lucy piteOusly.