The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-09-21

would bring her luck could she only aHord
to get the note posted. 1t reads thus:
"Parlor Maid wanted.-Ladylike girl.
about eighteen, of smart appearance, to
wait at table, clean silver, and attend to
floral decorations. Wages $50, rising Ell
annually to f25- Comfortable home
afforded to suitable person.-Apply, Mrs.
John Falconer. 3, Grosvenor Mansions,
Park-gardens, w"
As the girl throws down the journal
footsteps sound without. The next moment
the money-graspins landlady is standing
In her presence.
"well, Miss Smith. have you got any
thing for me now?" she demands.
II am very sorry, Mrs. Worrall. but
but 1 have not at present" responds the
girl in a voice whose fearful trembling
might well have turned the heart of a
stone.
mo. nor ever likely to have. 1t seems to
me-" the woman harshly breaks in.
"Oh. Mrs. Worrall, you must know your
rent will be met"
you've told me that for the last three
weeks, and I'm downright sick of being
put of with pie-crust promises. / can't
wait any longer. I've got debts to pay as
well as you. If my account is not settled
by 3 o'clock tonight / shall refuse to give
you any more food or another nights shell
ter"
Muriel tries bravely to keep back the
tears, and earnestly begs the speaker to
grant her just another few days grace.
assuring her confidently that something
will turn up, but the stern old lodging
house keeper contemptuously declares she
| has already Waitp6 LONG ann1rph and iC de-
termined to waste no more time and atten-
ton over a profitless boarder.
'If you're as eager as you make out to
pay your bill. why don't you pawn that to
pay 1t within and she points with a
shriveled. bony finger to the velvet-lined
receptacle in which lies the girls beloved
Amati.
Pawn that, the very last present my
darling mother gave me?' she cried.
aghast. Woman, you must be mad to
suggest it,"
But the old bag insolently laughs her
objection to scorn, saying: do you
mean to go starving and homeless be-
cause of a foolish scruple? If you're so
sure of getting something to do shortly,
why don't you raise a little on your fiddle
until you've got work, and then you can
redeem it as soon as you've earned a bit?
You must have something to go on with,
you know. in any case. If you don't like
to go to the pledge-shop, I'll go and take
it for you"
Muriel considered for a few moments.
Are you sure the pawnbroker will let
me have it again directly / am able to
pay for it?" she asked at length.
You can have 1t again tomorrow II
you want it. or you need not trouble to
get it out for a twelvemonth. It'll be just
as safe in his keeping as your own"
you shall have your rent. never fear
Mrs. Worralk For my own part, 1 would
infinitely rather starve than part with the
instrument; but since you are obdurate in
persisting in being paid tonight. or leaving
me with no alternative but to turn home
less into the streets. I will make the sacri-
ice-the very hardest one that could posi-
bly, a been demanded of me-"
You'd better look sharp and let me take
1t, or that obliging friend. my uncle will
have shut I'D. It's very nearly closing tim
as it is" and she glanced with a cold, cal
lous. business-like eye at the little marbl,
clock ticking on the mantelpiece.
Thank you for offering, but I prefer t.
take 1t myself" says MurieI. proudly
"Win you kindly direct me to the neares
p~awnbroker's?"
The landlady is h~alf-inclined to refuse Il
let the only distrainable article her lodge,
possesses be taken off the premises unles.
1t is intrusted to her hands to carry. But
pitiless grapser though she is. there is JUS
some vein of humanity in her nature, an,
she is really touched by the look of plead
ing reproach and honesty so plainly read
able in the beautiful patrician face of tn,
young heroine who stands before her an,
meets her searching scrutiny with I'm
finching and whitening scorn. For once II
her life Helen Worran feels thorough.
ashamed of herself.
I'm only a poor. Woodworking woman
you know. Miss Smith, or I shouldn't hav
to be so particular with you,' she apollo
getically remarks. striding towards tn
door.
miss Smith" deigrs no reply, and tn
next moment she is alone with the nttl
treasure from which cruel circumstance
compel her to part, perhaps forever, bu
at least for awhile.
How she kisses II and cries over Ii, an
how it breaks her heart to let it go on
Of her keeping; but the sacrifice has {
be made, so it's no good brooding owe
1t, she tells herself.
With one last long passionate kiss, on
last long equally passionate look at tn
lifeless thing she has so often made I
speak as 1t were her souls innermos
thoughts and desires. she puts the believe
old nstumen In It's soft velvet bed, as ten
derby as a young mother might put he
slumbering first-born in its lace and silke
cot; and then, DOMINIC her hat and JACKIE
she hurriedly hastens away before sh
can nave time to let regret or second cor
sideration influence her In the step upo
which she has so deliberately decided.
She finds her way to the pawnshop easil
enough. thanks to Mrs. Wcrrall's direction
and with downcast eyes. blushing checks
and a very heavy heart she passes under til
three brass balls suspended above and dive
into one of the narrow, dark boxes whic
she has heard and read about, but ono
never dreamt of entering herself.
The assistant stares rudely at her wit
, the admiration he takes no pains to di: