Middletown transcript., 1904-01-09

hope he will take me into his employ,
Custance said obviously. l would do
anything-wouldn't I, baby? What dark
eyes she has! She is going to be like
Mr.. Richards.
l hope SO. We called her after his
mother, and she resembles his family
more than mine. By the way, your name
is rather an uncommon one, isn't it?
1t is the old-fashioned form of Con-
stance, suppose. myself like it better
than the ordinary way. wish you
would call me Custance instead of Miss
Madison, Mrs. Richards.
l will, if you desire it, Mary answered
quietly.
When John returned from business that
evening, the girl hardly waited for his
wife to greet him but flew out into the
hall with an impulsive "Have you any
news for me?'' before he could get out OF
his overcoat. Mr.. Richards looked with
mingled surprise and amusement at the
girls lovely eager face and unconscious
grace.
You are not to sweep the floors! But.
he added, laughing-if you will let me
get into the dining-room, l will tell you
Mr.. Standards suggestion.
Custance laughed also, but flushed
little at her own impetuosity.
But it is a very important matter to
me, she said apologetically, when they
were all settled in the dining-room.
WE'LL spoke to Mr.. Standard about
you and told him how anxiously you de-
sired the position Of charwoman in the
Office, Richards explained. I also men,
toned your qualifications for the post.
Oh, Mr.. Richards. you are laughing at
mel I hope you didn't influence Mr..
Standard against my working!-
Indeed, did not told him that you
were fully prepared to do the toughest
work-that you had storned the office
and insisted on being employed without
receiving wages. tits not often my lot to
have young lady come to me and insist
on being instantly provided with broom!
But 1 also told him, he added more SER
iously-that l was sure that whatever
employment he gave Miss Madison she
would undertake heartily and do the very
utmost that her ability and strength al
lowed her.
Indeed-indeed I would!
Mr.. Standard talked the matter over
with me, Richards continued, smiling at
the girls eager face-and he is willing to
offer you situation which, though man
ually a much less hard one than what
you asked, has great responsibility rest
ing on it. His mother is still alive, but
she is very old lady. and quite blind.
He is desirous of finding her compan-
iona young lady who will sit with her
and read to her. She has her maid to
attend on her, but he wants to give her
more cheerful and educated society than
that of an old servant. When told him
about you he asked me if you we're quail
flied to take this post. l was forced in
honesty to say, Miss Madison, that though
believed personally that you were, l
ceuld not prove it or be responsible for it.
l knew nothing of your character and
had had no experience of your capabili-
ties; but Mr.. Standard is inclined to try
you. If take this girl and help her when
she is perfectly friendless and helpless,
she is more likely to devote herself to my
mother through gratitude than if I en-
gagged some one with other ties, he re-
marked. You say she is desirous OF prov
ing her sense of an obliration by working
for me-very well, l will give her this
chance, and he left it to me to lay the
proposal before you. Now, Miss Madi-
son, what do you say?
Custance was leaning forward, with her
lips parted in her eagerness and her great
earnest eyes fixed upon him.
Mr.. Richards! she exclaimed. I am
more than thankful to accept the posi-.
ton Mr.. Standard offers mel am very
humbly grateful. And if l can pay off
the heavy moral debt that l owe liim--as
we'll as the money-by devotion to his
mother, he can trust me to do my very
best. The memory of my own mother
and her helpIessness is an added reason
to make me the more willing to wait upon
Mrs. Standard.
Custance learned through John Rich
ards that she was to enter her new posi-