Year: 1870

FrTz HUGH bit his lip with vexation


and muttered a curse as the closing


door hid her retreating figure.


The next day Flora found herself on


the deck of a Steamer, the engaged


companion of Miss Leverett, a spinster,


fat, fair and forty. On first seeing her


the girl conceived a dislike for the fair


insipid face with its small cunning eyes,


and in all Miss Leverett said or did to-


wards her, she felt the sphere of an in
sincere nature. She tried to resist such
feelings but wonder came into play,
when their sea voyage progressing, her
employer showed no disposition to sOci-
ability and seemed neither to need or
care for her society. Indeed she ap-
peared stupid, and slept the greater part
of each day. Gloomy forebOdings pos
sessed Flora, but after her sea sickness
wore of, the novelty of the voyage, re-
stored her tranquility. As they neared
the harbOr of New York, she discover
ed in examining her pocket book that
half the liberal allowance for one months
services, which Mrs. Marsden had paid
her, was gone. Miss Leveritt instantly
declared that she had been robbed of
more. With anUnIadylike
rOwdyism of manner she accused the
stewardess of theft, and demanded that
the Captain should instantly search
every passenger. The bluff sailor, in
quired if the money was in any way
marked and being answered in the neg
ative, declared that a search would be
useless for, said he, 'aII the passengers
are well supplied with money and my
stewardess has never been suspected of
such a thing in fifteen years. So the
matter ended.


Flora had an impulse to throw herself
OH the protection of the Captain, but on
landing Miss Leveritt hurried her into
a carriage before she could form any
plan of escape from one who so unfavor-
ably impressed her. Her surprise deep
ened into Indignation when the resi-
dence of Miss L., was reached; a dingy
gloomy house on a narrow lonely street,
with surroundings not even respectable
in appearance. A girl with repulsive
features Ushered them into a shabby
parlor. A thousand emotions possessed
Flora and she instantly determined to
leave the house before night, if any
strategy could effect her purpose. Miss
Leverett's Unaccountable indifference
during the voyage, her unIadylike lang
uage to the Captain and Stewards, had
excited unpleasant feelings which she
had scarcely defined, bat now Flora felt
herself the victim of some hidden plot,
in which Miss Leverettwa no doubt the
principal actor. Strange significant
looks passed between Miss L., and the
girl who had admitted them.


"Sit down my dear, cried Miss L.,
and don't be frightened at the gloom of
the place. Ihave splendid house on
Fifth Avenue but have been unable to
move my poor mother who is paraIytic
up stairs. And my dear you will par
don my little deception, I am away from
home so much and lead such a gay life
that do not need a companion. 1t was
to attend my mother that engaged you.
But you are young and strong minded
and wont care so you are well paid"


81 shall most certainly decline the
position said Flora, trying to hide her
alarm. 1t is unsuited to my youth and
position. shall certainly leave you to-
morrow if you do not procure me a po-
sition elsewhere"


as it not provoking" >" exclaimed Miss
Leverett, turning to the girl that can
not even for the immense salary of a
thousand dollars, procure an agreeable
companion for my afflicted parent And
she pressed Der handkerchief to her eyes,
herself Historically. Indeed
Miss st. John, 1 am devoted to my moth
er and if you will remain I will make it
fifteen hundred


While this speech was being made
Flora was racking her brain for some
plan OF SWllG egresS from the house, con-
cealing her terror, she said almost stern
ly.


"NIiss Leverett, you have deceived
me, but will remain till tomorrow as
1 have said, and think it is your duty
to go out Immediately and procure me a
suited to my talent. You have
position and wealth and you can do it,
if you will" And the young girl bent
her head and pressed her handkerchief
to her eyes not to feign weeping, but to
hide her increasing alarm.


"There, there said Miss L., complete
ly deceived. Don't cry, will get you q
place if you are so opposed to staying
Indy bring in a lunch and will go out
and see what l can do for Miss st. John
as soon as go up steirs and see my
poor mother, Howis she Indyw