The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1907-05-03
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Was It Only Chance?

By l.. a. GROOM.


was the question Margaret Boyne
asked herself again and again, her
heart growing heavier with each re-
petition.
The prospect was indeed gloomy
and even terrifying. The firm where
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 a month Of this first calamity
ler sister Nellie, who was in situa-
tion in the city as typewriter, re-
Ceived notice also. Their combined
earnings had allowed but a 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-
tions 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 a fortnight's rent. For days
they had gone without fire, their
landlady, kind-hearted as many of
her order, allowing them 30 boil a
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 then
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 i'm their
ages made the elder girl feel quite
motherly solicitude for her sister.
She would endure priyations with
cheerful resignation IL only Nellie
might have been spared a like suffer
ing.
Then suddenly she heard Nellie
come flying up the stairs. 1t was
long since she had mounted them
with so light a 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 Susan's place
for a month" Nellie informed her.
"Susans place! You! What do
you mean?" exclaimed Margaret in
mystifcatiou.
"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
i1it it. And he--the doctor, mean
tells her that if she had a month S
entire rest she will be all right again.
The place she has now is very easy
and very comfortable, and she doesn't t
want to have to give IL up. There's S
only one gentleman, and the other
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 il right with the master.
And directly | heard about it-Susan
Is downstairs now telling her mother
81 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?''
ahd 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 a bit, not a bit. l shall thor.
oughly enjoy myself, l know | shall
Susan is going TO lend me her cap,
and aprons and cotton dresses. an
TO have her wages for the month, o
course, and she gets very good wages
That's partly why she doesn't wan
TO have TO give up the situation. oh
l shall make a first-class housemaid
and | am going round presently will
her to be inter fiewed by Mrs. Biggs
and TO see il she approves of me-
Mrs. Biggs fortunately did approx
Of her, and accordingly the next da
she entered upon her new duties.
Her master was elderly and yer
taciturn and reserved. and Nelli
gathered that he had but recently re
turned from Australia, where he ha
amassed a large fortune. once @
twice she caught him watching he
intently, frown drawing his rattle
heavy brows together. Directly sh
looked at him, however, he glance
away