The Calhoun chronicle. [volume] (Grantsville, W. Va.) 1883-1984, 1901-10-08
JESSIE PALLAMA
by Ella VI. Hess.
: RS. BUTTON was alone in
her handsome drawing room
when n servant announced:

" when servant announced:
"A young lady to speak
to yeu. madam, if you please"
''Show her in said Mrs. Button.
kindly; but the words were scarcely
necessary, for the young lady" was
close ut the servants heels.
The twilight was yet lingering. and
the room was mostly in shadow: but
the hall outside was brilliantly lighted.
and Mrs. Button caught a clear view
OF her visitor ere the door closed be
hind her She appeared TO be a young
and very pretty girl, of a tall. slender
figure, clear skin and dark brown
hair and large dark eyes; but it was
her dress that chiefly caught Mrs.
Buttons surprised attention, and held
1t captive as she gazed at her with
out speaking, for. though the hat and
shawl she wore were OF the plaincst
description the dress she strove to
hide beneath them was of the costliest
silk, richly trimmed with lace. and
her gloves and shoes were the finest
that could be procured.
Please, dear madam. do not Judge
listen 10 me and grant my prayer"
said the pretty stranger, coming n step
or two nearer and stretching out her
hands entreatIngly. Il want employ
ment and shelter. and though | have
neither recommendation nor reference
to offer, / beg YOU TO foTcgo both. in
my case. and let me serve you. Oh.
do, dear madam. and l shall bless YOU
from the depths of my grateful hearth
She was greatly agitated her voice
tremblcd, and il was evident that
pent-up emotion was overcoming her.
Now Mrs. Button was not n timid
woman, so il never entered her mind
to Imagine that this trembling girl
could be one OF n band of thieves.
trying TO gain admission with a view
| TO rob her mansion, nor was she one
or those who see a designing rogue
in every applicant for aid: but the in
congruitics Of the young lady's an
| pearance troubled her. and made her
hesitate before speaking.
Sit down here near the window"
she said, after n moments thought.
You arc both tired and agitated I
sec. Have you come from dis
tancef"
"I-I-that isl beg you will not
ask me- replied The stranger.
VIII you give me your nameE"
After a little hesitation. the girl
murmured in a low voice:
cal me Jessie Pallama. please"
That is not her name" was Mrs
Buttons mental conclusion; but she
asked again. 'Will you not confde to
me the trouble that forces YOU 10 your
present necessity? ! will not betray
you unless. indeed. il is something /
could not dare TO keep secret"
Il cannot said the girl. resoIutclv.
! though IN a very SAD voice. "If YOU
! rcpulSe me, ] must seek further: but
l ontrcat you. in pity"
stay said Mrs Button. decidedly.
ana the girl who had partly risen.
dropped into her seat with an intense
| ~ thankful sigh
4hcrc was q moments silence. and
thcn thc lady continued.
u am, no doubt. doing a very fool
lsh thing 1 ann listening TO the die.
gcstions of mv h,J.,r,.. - 0ll ue SuS
Stare with mc ~ ,l.' conc up
fl must ln i'm -, ,a,,. w.. I' IMAM .,i mere
cite tine yonJ.n ~ ,'u' WIZ nor eA-
have ,yoo,.,, S'' '"u's' /
seldom worn. +, ,a. "'..lH 1 nay e
hl You and VIII do for The present. q"
reply. and sbe OIL, "s ''SS'. 8
tress TO "a smau cbor,,,,. ''g. nt" ms
/ OF hci. own sroc,.r, ~. ,'It I's"'