The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1907-05-03

ously than ever before.
Have you had many situations?"
was his next question
"No-not Of this sort, at least
My business is typewriting"
your business! Then you earn
your own livelihood?"
"Oh, yes"
Why's that? Where's your ia
ther?"
"Ie is dead" answered Nellie,
quietly.
when did he die?"
The query was put sharply, but
somehow Nellie did not feel affronted
by It. She was instinctively aware
that It was not asked from mere idle
curiosity.
"Ten years ago"
"Ten years ago. Yes, yes, go on.
Tell me MORE" was the incisive COM
mand she received.
'He was a rich man, but his part
ner did something don't quite
know what. 1t was some sort Of
speculation, | believe, and he never
told my father about it, and the
speculation turned out badly, and the
partner went off, nobody knew where.
And father was ruined and-and it
killed him"
"He didn't-didnt commit sui
eide, did he?" gasped her interlocu-
tor, his jaw falling.
con, no; but he fretted terribly
and fell very i'll, and died in six
months time"
And you and your sister were
left TO do the best you could?"
Nellie opened her blue eyes In sur
prise. and exclaimed involuntarily,
MY sister! | didn't tell you | had
a sister"
did you not? oh, well, / sup
posed you had a sister. Go on" he
commanded once more.
yes, we were left to do the best
we could. Margaret is older than |
am and quick at figures. She took
situation as bookkeeper and sold
some jewelry that had belonged to
my mother, and with the money paid
for me to finish my education. And
| was taught typewriting at school,
and when | left | got situation
also"
"Why didn't you keep it,"
Because the firm where | was had
to reduce their staff. And the people
where Margaret was had just before
become bankrupt. We had saved a
little money, but that was all gone.
And then-then Susan is our land
lady's daughter, and | heard about
her not being we'll and wanting some
one to take her place for a month,
and offered at once"
When the girl had come to the end
Of her hurried explanation, Mr.. Bur
ton sat silent awhile, his head sunk
on his chest, his thick brows almost
meeting, his face curiously pale.
Nellie was alarmed. Perhaps she
had been too loquacious about her
affairs, and he was displeased by her
garrulity. Yet he had certainly in
vited, nay commanded, her conf
dence. She hoped she had not pre-
sumed on the interest she had dis
played.
She fingered a few minutes, but
as he did not speak she was turning
away, when he stopped her by ask
ing where she lived.
A week later Margaret, after long
days disheartening and unsuccessful
tramp, had returned to her lodging.
where her landlady tapped at her
door.
Here's a gentleman to see you"
said she.
Margaret lighted her solitary can
die in hurry. She had been taking
off her hat and jacket in the dark for
economy's sake, and the landlady
retreated to make room for the en-
trance of the visitor.
He was an elderly man, and he
glanced about him without speaking
at first. taking note of the aspect et
| the little chamber which SO obviously
! betrayed poverty-the CRATE fireless
the floor carpetless, the bed but scant.
/ lily coyeSal.
You're Anthony Boyues eldest
/ daughter, are YOU note was his
! opening remark, made rather in the
nature OF an assertion than an in
! terrogation.
Yes. Will you not be seated? p
and Margaret pushed forward theil
only chair, and took her place on tn,
bed.
You don't remember me. eh?'
he asked, when he had seated him
self.
She shook her head.
NO, daresay not. You'll remem
ber my name, though, / expect
James Burton Ramsay"
Margaret half rose at this. thel
sank down again. Yes, remem
ber," she rejoined in low tone
You were fathers partner. who
who"
: who absconded." he finished
, coolly, as she hesitated. "yes, that
so. Though. look YOU here, youn