The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1905-05-22
LIE EvENING sToR9.
storv 81 . Lady.s LID.


Our parents were very poor, and my
brother and I would both have grown
up without any education had it not
been that Paul, who was a page in the
house of representatives. found favor
with one of the members, who gave
him an appointment to West Point.
This made Paul an officer in the Unit
ed States engineers. while 1-vell,
what could I do after mothers death
but go out to service?
Paul came to see me during his fur
Tough summer as cadet, but It was
not pleasant for him to let his class
mates know that his sister was
housemaid. and 1t was very ernbarrass-
ing for him. He couldn't do anything
to-lift me out of such a mental position,
for a cadet has only enough from the
government to pay his way at the aead-
envy. Consequently on graduating he
didn't come again, though he wrote me
that, now he was an officer on o1icer's
pay, he would do something to elevate
my condition. But a second leuten-
ants pay is very small in proportion to
his expenses, and so it was that Paul
and l drifted away from one another.
Ten years passed I was lady's maid
for Miss Rosalind Phillips. a wealthy
young lady in Washington She was
engaged when ! entered her service to
one who lived at distance Miss Phil
lips never mentioned her lover to me.
She was a high bred girl, naturally re-
ticent. and would scorn to talk conf
dentially with a servant It was not
known in society that she was engaged.
Indeed 1 would not have known 1t my
self had I not seen bulky letters con-
stantly coming in.
One day a letter arrived that put
my mistress In a hutter. and 1 heard
her say to her father, He'll be here
In a few days" He came in the after
noon about o'clock. My mistress
was with him in the library till s..
when she rang for me to bring in tea
or coure I looked at her lover. The
face was familiar to me from the first,
becoming more and more SO till I
recognized my brother Paul lie
scarcely glanced at me.
I kept my eyes fixed on the teacups.
but just before going out looked at
him again. His eyes were fixed on
me with a glance I shall never forget
There was recognition, but with It
pain and fear. / looked away without
any evidence of recognition and LETT
the room.
Paul was a great deal at the house.
and OF course we met often Whether
he thought I didn't recognize him or
whether he assumed that / would not
embarfass him by milking our relation
ship known I did not know. At any
rate he ignored me, though ] detect
ed a panied expression on his face
every time l entered a room where he
was. On one occasion was alone
with him. saw that he was think
ing of speaking to me; but, realizing
that this might make 1t harder Tor
him. I maintained servants de-
meanor and as soon as possible left
the room.
Then came the announcement of the
engagement and immediate prepara-
lions for the wedding. PaufS regiment
was stationed in the Philippines, and
he had received a leave Of absence to
come home to be married. just before
the wedding my mistress told me that
she was to go back with him. counting
on me to remain in her service and
make the journey with her l declined
She coaxed and offered higher wages,
but I remained firm in my resolution.
One day she rang for me when she was
with Paul and said to him before me:
Helena says she viii not go with
us and I fear ! shall have TO change
my plans and let you go back Wlthoul
me Perhaps you can persuade her.
Helena he said. "eitheF you must
20 with us or we viii not go together"
He spoke with sincerity and resolu-
ton / was astonished. A glance at
him assured me that he had made
VERY WE'LL l said Rather than be
the cause of your parting I will 60.
That night after Paul left Miss Phil
lips came upstairs very quickly anu
passing me without looking or speak
ing to me, went into her room ana
locked the door. The next morning
when I went to attend her she drew
me down beside her on the bed.
Helena" she said. Il have not
slept a wink all night have had
terrible decision to make, and have
made it. have decided for Paul and
for YOU Last night he told me all.
Circurn stances have forced you apart
and placed him in an eInbarrassi,n az
position You have both acted with
great tact and Judgment just as
would have had you act
paul and I wish you to accompany
us till we have sailed as my maid to
avoid talk, after that as our sister
She put her arms around my neck
and kissed me-
tears streaming from my eyes. I've
always worked for my living, ana
must keep on working for It II Faul
we're rich instead of you II might be
different but even then he could NOT
lift me from the station in which rate
has placed me
that have returned him something re
came back expecting to find you and
helm you. You shall go with US and
stay with u.s.
Paul and Rosalind and met later in
the drawing room, and both Paul ana
Rosa1ind put their arms about me and
would not let me go till had prom
ised.
am now the wife Of an army Of
fcer I met in the east. Ny dear broth
er and sister-fr-law have followed up
their kindness to me. and 10 the laLteI
am indebted for many Things ina
her fortune has enabled her TO DO Tor
me. MARY P. WINSLOW.
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