Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1906-03-29
| MI LesIie's I|I
| N Loyalty ; :::;;::
Continued.

Leslie returned the bow abSently
and went out, and 1t was not until she
had got into the crowded streets that
she thought Of the girl. Then she
remembered that she, too, was
dressed In black and that, though but
poorly, she was dressed and looked
like a lady.
She thought no more Of her than
this, and after a weary walk she re.
turned home and rang for some tea,
When the door opened she was sur
prised to see the girl instead Of Mrs,
Brown; and the surprise must have
shown itself In her face, for the yisl.
tor colored and stopped on the TIRES
hold.
IL beg your pardon" she said.
81 hope you will forgive me, but
Mrs. Brown has spraIned her wrist
and she asked me--that is, offered.
10 come instead OF her"
IL wanted some tea; but II does
not matter"
"oh, but ! will get 1t for YOU she
said, q will get anything for you;
that Is, II you don't mind my doing 1t
instead OF Mrs Brown"
Leslie looked at her more attentive
ly, and saw u pleasant, amiable face,
with eyes beamIng softly through eye
glasses perched on n tip-tited nose
You are very kind" she said In
her low, musical voice But do not
think | ought to trouble you"
"Oh, It is no trouble, Miss Llsle,"
said the girl, still standing on the
threshold, az II she dared not ven.
ture further
You know my name" said Leslie
with faint smile.
YES said her visitor. with nod
halfgraye, half.smlllng, and wholly
friendly and proptiatory, Mrs
Brown told me, andand about your
trouble. am 80 sorry! But'--as
Leslie winced--"l won't talk of that.
III sec that you have some tea"
"Will you not come in?" said
Leslie.
The girl came into the room timid.
". and took the chair which Leslie
drew forward for her.
IL think ! saw you In the hall yes
terday," she said You are a !odger,
like myself"
Yes; oh, yes" replied her visitor,
noddIng: land ! asked Mrs Brown
who you were, and she told me, hope
you don't think mo inqusitiye?" she
colored timldly.
mo; oh, no, It was a mutual
question" said Leslie, "Will you
tell mo your namo?"
"oh, yes; my name is somes- Lucy
Somes."
And you are paying visit to
London" said Leslie, trying 10 inter
est herself in this pleasant-looking
girl who had from sheer kindness
acted MS the landadys substitute,
"a visit? Well, scarcely that. I'm
here"-~she hesltated-"on business,
But must not keep you waiting for
your tea
my tea can wait until Mrs Brown
can get It."
ooh, but am going to get 1t for
YOU. unless she hesitated, but, en-
oouraged by Leslie's faint smile she
contlnued--"unless you wouldn't
mind coming down to my room and
taking tea with me, have Just
got mine, and | should be so pleased
II you would come"
Leslie did not respond for moment
or two. Trouble makes solitude very
dear to Ms But she fought against
the desire to decline.
THANK you; shall be very
pleased"
Come along, then"
Leslie followed her downstairs, and
Lucy Somes showed her into the tiny
room which served her for bed room
and sitting.room,
~ hone YOU won't mind" said
Lucy. with a sudden blush ON her
pleasant face; but you see am not
able to afford two rooms, and So
"Why should | mind?' said leslie
In her gentle voice.
ooh, can see that YOU have been
used to something better than this,
said Lucy, busting TO and fro as she
spoke, and adding another cup and
saucer and plate TO the tea.thlngs on
the small table II laughed to my
self when Mrs. Brown said you were
real lady--thoso kind Of persons
make such mistakeshut ! see that
she was right, But lady does not
condemn poverty, does she?" and she
laughed as she cut some bread and
butter.
Especially when she Is poor her
self" thought Leslie; but she only
smiled.
And so | thought | would venture
TO intrude upon you" continued Lucy
Somes. Il was half afraid, for YOU
look so--so--I want wordit isn't
proud-so aristocratic and reserved,
-, a. .a,, mat I n,itN rFN ~