Republican news item. [volume] (Laport, Pa.) 1896-19??, 1902-02-27

CLOUDS noverlng over her Sky-l1fe.
VIII it be always so?" she asked
herself bitterly, as she turned away.
| "Oh, l am SO tired OF the clouds Of
sorrow. Will the sunshine of joy
never Gomez"
At this moment one of her younger
sisters came in with letter for An
ME. In some surprise-for it bore a
| city postmark-she opened it.
With the early heat of summer a
| lady had come to board at Glenville,
in search of country fare and country
breezes, for she was confirmed in
valid. She took lodgings across the
way from Mr.. Raymond's, and seemed
to fancy Annie from the first. She
now wrote, asking Annie to come and
| live with her, as nurse and companion
and offering a sum which seemed
princely in Annies eyes.
She decided at once to go, for she
longed for a glimpse of the world
without, but she would wait until she
saw George in the evening, for his
opinion might influence her in some
degree.
So, when he came she hastened to
impart the news.
Don't go, Annie" he urged. you
know-you must have known for a
long time-that | love you dearly.
I've only waited to tell you because
had not suitable home to offer you
as yet. But I'm saving for that pur
pose every day, dear, and when we
can see each other SO often it will not
be so hard to wait little longer.
Stay, and promise me you will be my
wife Just as soon as l can provide for
you properly"
George" she said, you know
love you, but l am too much of a
coward to bind myself to be life
long slave, like my sister, Sarah, for
instance"
Sarah was sickly Lefore she mar
though his manner betrayed some sur
prise at such an outburst from the
usually mild Annie.
YES" reluctantly.
And peevish and fretful, too"
"Yes," responded Annie, slowly.
You are neither"
Annie burst into tears.
"She was unhappy" she said, "and
SO am l."
George was puzzled. He used his
powers of persuasion to the utmost
but she was inexorable. She would
not consent to an engagement, and
she would go to the city as compan-
70 10
obstinacy, but thinking it best to give
her her own way, since he could not
well do otherwise, he bade ner good
by.
Annie sobbed herself to sleep that
night, and rwo days after-for there
was slight preparation needed-she
set out for the city.
For a time she was delighted with
her situation. Mrs. Reade was very
captivating in manner, and treated
Annie almost like a sister. Annie
had intended to save her earnings,
but, under Mrs. Reade's advice, she
found ample opportunity to invest
them in the purchase of better cloth
ing than she had ever worn before.
Bye and bye her situation became
less pleasant. Mrs. Reade was very
capricious. and sometimes hard to
please. Another truth dawned upon
Annie's mind about this time. Her
mistress was neglected, unloved
wife, and though she had everything
that wealth could procure, she was
very unhappy, as much as either Sue
or Sarah.
ooh, dear!" Annie sobbed to herself
one day, when her patience was sew
erely tried, everyone has more or
less trouble, and after all, poverty
isn't the hardest thing in the world
to bear. If | were at home now
could marry George and be contented
with the inevitable outfit of six silver
spoons and two feather beds, and feel
much happier than either of my sis
ters"
However, she determined to remain
as long as she could bear with Mrs.
pleasant familiarity of the servants,
thinking she would at least
save her money and have something
to begin life with if she. ever did
marry, which seemed very doubtful to
her now
Spring came on, and as the weather
grew warmer Annie began to have
fearful headaches, new thing forher.
She grew tired of the senseless look
ing rows of brick and brown-stone and
longed for the pleasant woods near
her home, with their fresh, green
leaves and early flowers. She felt if
she could only have Jane to scold her
it would do her good. She grew home
sick for the very home she had de-
spised. Mrs. Reade complained that
she was growing needless and Annie
knew it was very true.
One morning she woke feeling too
ill to rise. Mrs. Reade's bell rang re-