Evening star., 1901-12-14

that could restore comfort to this luokless
pair. She bought 9 complete wardrobe at
ed for the wife Of a respectable trades
man, and another suitable for her daugh-
ter. The girl looked on in a kind of stupid
amazement. She had been so miserable in
the morning, she had been so ragged; she
bad been so hopeless, so hungry. so de-
spairing of the future and now-now-she
had been refreshed by good. solid meal,
with a cup of wine, warming and comfort
Ing; she felt the solid comfort of a sufficient
meal; she knew not what was going to
happen, but she was bringing home two
stout bundles, containing frocks, petticoatS,
boots. stockings and everything else; and
lodgings were taken, whittier her mother
was to be removed. What it meant-why
this lady had come to their assistance-the
girl neither asked nor felt the least curl
oSity to learn.
In a word, Isabel opened her bundle and
dressed the poor woman as she had not
been dressed for three years. Then she
left message for the landlord concerning
the rent that was owing, she guided the
poor womans footsteps down the rickety
stairs; she placed her. with the girl, in
her coach. and she carried her to the new
lodgings.
You like this room7 You will be COM
Portable here?'
Madam, 1t is heaven. Are we dream
ing? Am awaken
"If you like the place, well and good
Now, 1 will arrange for your rent to be
paid by my attorney. And 1t is of no use
to have a lodging and food I will
arrange for you to have guinea a week.
That should suffice
Madam
Debts must be paid. Sooner or later
debts must be paid,' but they neither
heard nor understood What about your
He will want to take all the money for
| drinking
Don't give him more than ninepence
a day for his dinner and his drink. Let
| him know how much have If he
| is troublesome, let my attorney know She
| turned and looked at the daughter. What
| can you dor" she asked.
Il can do plain work -
"Humph! So can everybody. Anything
else? Can you read and write.
Madam" said her mother, ''she can read
| as well as any clerk, and can write like a
scrivener. She can play the harpsichord.
| She can sing, when she is not hungry"
Have you any wish or design for
herr"
| Alas. madam, what can I do for her?
There are girls wanted for the taverns of
| the Royal exchange, and for coffee houses
| and for Westminster Hall, where they sell
gloves and lawyers bands. But to get a
place there wants interest. And there are
| temptations in those places. Yet a poor
| girl cannot escape temptation"
True" Then Isabel bethought her Of
| something not belonging to the life of a
| girl behind counter. 1t was quite sud-
| den thought. 1t had never occurred to her
| before. But-she thought-how, if she hal
| this girl in her own house-as a companion
and a secretary-or what not? She looked
again at the girl; in her new dress she was
pleasing; her bearing was modest; she was
| delicate and lovely to look upon. Isabel
| liked people as well as things around her
| to be beautiful. She seemed honest and
good tempered.
What is her name?' Isabel asked
"She was christened Alice"
"Alice Yes what do you
think, Alice? Would you like to come with
me?'
Alice looked at her mother.
"I could teach her. Isabel addressed the
mother very quickly, the manners of the
world. She is personable; her figure Is
good; I will take her into my household
| for a time, not as servant but as a sec
| retary and companion. She could do for
| me the small services that 1 require
Yes, madam-but-I fear-''
you are right to fear. 1 live in St.
| James square, which is a respectable place.
1 am widow and b am wealthy l have
| taken a fancy to this daughter of yours.
Besides there are other considerations. -
Again they understood nothing. What do
| you say, Alice?"
"Oh, madam, you overwhelm u.s." Alice
| fell upon her knees and kissed IsabePs
hand, Who would have thought this
morning.
THAT such an accident would happen ?
Not l. for one"
You have saved my mothers life, mad
| am. What can I say, except that I am
truly grateful and should be happy, in
deed. to be your servant"
You will let her come to me?" she
asked the mother
Madam, no angel of the Lord could be
so good you have been" She looked
wistfully and searchingly at her benefac-
tress. But it is a wicked world God
deal with you madam, as you deal with my
daughter
Amen" Isabel replied seriously She
laid her hand on the woman's shoulder
BE not alarmed. l mean well by her
Meantime she shall visit you as often as
you wish-every day If you like. And now
there is nothing more, l believe. My attor-
ney shall pay your rent and give you your
allowance. And I wish for speedy
| recovery to health and strength; you look
better already. 1 shall hope to see you
again before long. Now, farewell. Alice
you can come with me-"
Said Mrs Brymer to her forewoman as
the coach drove off, ''The girl will do her
a mischief"
"The girl seems well behaved enough and
well enough"
"You don't know what I know. Well, I
sometimes think that IL these poor girls
could sell their figures as they sell their
hair, how much we could improve some of
our customers. Not Mrs. Weyland; her
figure sets off any dress-her figure and
her face-well, we shall see. My opinion
is that the girl will do Mrs. Weyland a
mischief Oh, know what l know-a mis-
chief.
CTo be continued.)