Heppner gazette. [volume] (Heppner, Morrow County, Or.) 1892-1912, 1907-03-07
CHAPTER [.


The speaker was thin, nervous look
ing girl, with large gray ayes, and a
weak mouth. She stood with her rough
ened hands clasped tightly together, and
tears were rolling down her cheek, and
falling unheeded on her shabby serge
gown.
Audrey Maxse also wore an old serge
gown, but somehow the garment did not
seem to be as shabby or as ugly as that
which Jean Thwat had on: her small
hands were roughened, too, as with much
work, yet their shape was exquisite, the
fingers slender and straight, not swollen
and diSfigured with chilblains like poor
Jeans her little head was poised proud
ly on her shoulders; she carried herself
with a regal air. and gave evidence at
this early age of possessing that most
rare of gifts, a beautiful face.
What a dreary place this I emale Or
phan Asyplum was, to be sure, There
was an air of gloom in the dirty gray
colored walls; an unspeakable sense of
sadness and restraint in the unlovely,
high-walled grounds, the severe matron,
the young persons in their d;ngy uniform
of blue serge, with their dlster aprons
and thick gray stockings. 1t was called
the Girls Home in Broad5orough, and
never was anything under tie sun so mis-
named. From morning till night the day
was one long round of 1rudgery, good
hard manual labor, lightenc1 by many
prayers, and by one hours so-called rec
reation, in which the girls found many
odd tasks to perform that we're not ex
81 Of in hp IF or nj 1naS
ure.
The Mayor of Broadborolgh had much
TO say in the matter of election into this
asylum, and it was entirely through his
influence that Jean Thwait granddaugh-
ter of old Samuel Thwait, the bookseller.
was provided with home when the old
man died suddenly and left Ter. little
child, without a penny or a known rela
tive in the wide world. Everybody knew
that Ralph Thwait, Jeans father, had
made a bad marriage, but the shop of
Samuel Thwait had been an institution
in the town, and naturally oIt of respect
to an old nhabitant the Mavor did his
best to get the orphan girl we'll cared for
in the future. This done. little Jean
Thwait troubled no one any more; so
matron, and grew up from b&byhood to
grlhood, working in the gloomy routine
of the asylum as hard as though she
were Of the stronger, not the feebler,
sex. Most of her companions were cases
like her own. all respectfully connected,
with an occasional aunt or cousin to
pay them a visit on the day set apart
for this function, and who al, with one
accord held up their heads snd looked |
down on Jeans pet, Audrey Maxse.
How this latter ever got into the home
was a miracle to most people. A found
ling, the waif and stray chad of vag-
rant woman who breathed ner last in the
Broadborough workhouse inirmary, she
was, by general consent, considered as
outside the pale and therefore ineligible
for election into the institution sacred to
the memory of the pious widow of rich
Broadborough tradeSman.
Audreys pride had brought down many
a wear punishment on rHr head; her
fearless, outspoken disposition was call
ed rebellious her innate sense of deli
cacy and ueatneSs became inordinate van
ity, and her beauty was the last straw
to the heap of objections that the matron
and her assistants piled on this girl Ev-
cry means had been tried 10 crush Au-
drey's proud spirit. Every possible bar
rer had been thrown in the way of her
Advancement in education. and yet, in
spite of all. the girl progr Assed her hot
pride her extraordinary will carried all
before her, and to the chagrin of the mat
ron and her other enemies, at the usual
public examinations, held "a the charnel-
schoolroom, before the Mayor
and committee, it was always Audrey
I1axse who carried off the list marks for
proficiency and general satisfaction.
In all the years she had lived at the
asylum Audrey had only orc riend, one
owing heart to sympathze and help her
n her troubles, and this was Jean
Thwait. Often and often Fl night, when
he two young creatures we're alone in
heir cold meagery furnished bedroom.
hey sat and whispered in the dark of the
ime when they should be fee from the
place they called their home.
I'VE are alone in the world. Jean" ;
Audrey would say there Is nothing to 8
top US. We must leae here when we are )
eventeen-the rules of the hCme won't 3
ct us remain longer-and then we will !
o away togther. and work for each 9th
r. and be happy. We will leave Eng r
and, Jean, and go abroad want to see
oreign lands, don't yOuY' :
But you forget. darling; we've may +
o out to service before We are free :" Z
Audrey always shuddered st the word.
he parting was not thought now; it n
ras reality, a horrible reality. Three =
ays before this one that saw Audrey ;
ngaged in putting her few coarse clothes
nto the yellow tin box, tie girls had r
cen summoned into the cha Del and cate !
hised by clergyman, who came in place !
the ordinary minister. lie seemed to =
nd much pleasure in examining Audrey .
n certain points, and the girls clear
-esh voice. added to her int diligence and =,
face, made a great impression !,
u him.
After the girls were dismissed. he had A
short chat with Miss Irons, the matron, =
D the course of which he told her he /.
-as anxious to find a young woman as
laid for a lady who was one of his par n
Ihioners. 8
My wife can find no one suitable. D
our girls always give s.-at satisfaction z
nd so, if there is one ready to go out s
service. | might arrange this" he said
5 they talked. s.