The Brandon news. (Brandon, Miss.) 1892-1961, 1907-05-23

was tuC QuCSllOn margaret bOyu0
asked herself again and again, her
heart growing heavier with each re-
petition.
The prospect was indeed gloomy
and even terrifying. The firm where
for the last ten years she had been
employed as cashier had become
bankrupt, and she, with the rest of
the staff, had been summarily dis
missed.
Troubles rarely come singly, and
within month Of this first calamity
her sister Nellie, who was in situa-
ton in the city as typewriter, re-
ceived notice also. Their combined
earnings had allowed but meagre
margin to be set aside for emergen-
cies, and in spite of the most careful
outstanding these slender savings
were by now exhausted.
And no work was to be obtained
anywhere. They answered advertise
ments, they made personal applica-
lions. All in vain. Failure was the
outcome of every effort.
They had given up their tiny sit
ting-room and lived and slept in an
attic bedroom. But even for this they
owed fortnight's rent. For days
they had gone without fire, their
landlady, kind-hearted as many of
her order, allowing them to boil
kettle over her stove. Weak tea and
dry bread had been their staple re-
freshment, and this frugal fare must
fail shortly unless matters mended.
And, of course, if they did not pay
their rent, they could not expect Mrs.
Smith to allow them to remain much
longer. And them
Margaret shivered; the outlook
was bad for both, but her principal
apprehension was on Nellie's account.
Nellie was some years younger than
herself, and the difference in their
ages made the elder girl feel quite
motherly solicitude for her sister.
She would endure privations with
cheerful resignation if only Nellie
might have been spared a like suffer
ing.
come flying up the stairs. It was
long since she had mounted them
with SO light step, and Margaret
looked up eagerly as her sister burst
into the room.
News, good news!" cried Nellie,
her pretty face flushed.
What is it," asked the other,
breathlessly.
Il am going to take Susans place
for month";" Nellie informed her.
"Susan's place! You! What do
you mean?" exclaimed Margaret in
mystifcation.
s'Why, she's not we'll; not i'll ex-
actly, but the doctor says she must
have rest. You know her last place
was terribly hard. That's why she
left it. And he-the doctor, mean
tells her that If she had a months
entire rest she will be all right again.
The place she has now is very easy
and very comfortable, and she doesn't
want to have to give it up. There's
only one gentleman, and the other
servant is cook and housekeeper, and
Susan likes her, and she likes Susan;
and she says if Susan can get any
one to be stop-gap for the month she
will make it right with the master.
And directly heard about it-Susan
is downstairs now telling her mother
IL said I'd do it."
Nellie paused for want of breath,
and her sister stared at her with
rather a blank expression of counte-
nance.
"You mean-you mean" she
stammered.
That I'll be Susan's substitute
yes. Isn't that good news, now?"
and Nellie kissed her companion
fondly.
But Margaret did not appear to be
overcome with delight. "Oh. don't
like it" she said, gravely.
Don't like. what, dear?"
your going as a servant" said
she. Whereupon Nellie laughed
blithely.
you darling thing! You needn't
mind bit, not bit. I shall thor
oughly enjoy myself, I know I shall.
Susan is going to lend me her caps
and aprons and cotton dresses. am
to have her wages for the month, of
course, and she gets very good wages.
That's partly why she doesn't want
to have to give up the situation. Oh,
] shall make first-class housemaid,
and am going round presently with
her to be interviewed by Mrs. Biggs,
and to see If she approves of me-
Mrs. Biggs fortunately did approve
of her. and accordingly the next day
she entered upon her new duties.
Her master was elderly and very
taciturn and reserved, and Nellie
gathered that he had but recently re-
turned from Australia. where he had
amassed large fortune. Once or
twice she caught him watching her
fntently, a froWn drawing his rather
heavy brows together. Directly she
looked at him, however, he glarced
away.
Then one day he asked abruptly.
ssWhat Is your name?''
tE!Ilon Ravnn & vac hov v,rx>x,, ~ -