2KI
WKST SHORK.
her that in him was reproduced not a particle of her
side of the family. Disappointment after disappoint
ment ho wrought on her amhitiotiH spirit that her dis
Hsition, never of the kindliest, wan ho affected that one
morning the servants decaniis-d in a Usly. For a 1110
inent the good lady wan in despair, then a valuable
thought ciiine to her.
" I'll do it ! " she ejaculated. " lie must Ik- gisid
for Homethin'."
Ah a result of this soliloquy, Charles was pressed
into dish-washing and general kitchen work. That
the young man bore no malice was evident from the
calm demeanor with which he moved about his duties,
Iuh elegant figure enveloped in one of his mother's
morning dresses. While Mrs. Pattern was thus un
happy in regard to her Hun's future, an event occurred
which in a measure restored her confidence. Jt had
Isvome a custom on St. Ti thy's hill, in families
when' there were no grown daughters, that the lady of
the house should attach U her establishment a com
panion. Mrs. Pattern had looked on this innovation
with much disfavor. Nevertheless, it appeared that
me new wrinkle was spreading, and that it had conn
Ut H,ay i"e.uently the lady nwallowed her prejudice
and advertised in tine of the city dailies.
Among the many applications wan ( which stat
ed that the writer was a French scholar and a musi
cian ; also that home was more of an object than re
muneration. " That girl's got Hense," commented Mrs. Pattern.
"Hic's lookin' for a home first."
And Miss Marie Shcwell wan, without loss of time,
,,,H'1" 11 'f tin' Pattern household. A change
was observable in Charl. from the night the new com
panion, her slender figure robed in black, her face pale
but lovely, with a tweet, wistful l-eauty, ,ttM before
the family.
" I hoK shall please you," she said. " I shall
try hard, for I need a home very much."
" We'll toon Ik. able to tell," remarked Mrs pt.
t"rn. "Ifyoucando.il ym rny ,m (,1( why ,
don't ',,, we can expect anythin' more fro,,, you!"
The girl lifted her eyes M the h.ho.,1 r .i .1
1 . 1 " " I'm, ;
harsh voice, then, weary fro,,, travel and excite , j
she sank into chair and partly red 11V her fare' i
to hide the tears that trembled on her lids ' ' 1
" Come, moth,.,," Jtl j,,,,,, !
heart . touched, " better get (h,. it. ll()v , u,( j
A grateful glance redded him. and master d 1
maid were friend fnuu that moment.
When the family had rmiuI.II ;.. ... . '
tern said, "iMntyou go . c.lli,,' hrr a h,dv i. 'II !
spile her at the oiiM." '
" Well, if she ain't a lady I never sir o,,e," repij,,)
Little John, rather MubL.rnlv. 1 ;
"She is a lady."
Hoth Mr. and Mrs. Pattern turned in amazement
It was Charles who spoke. It was not what he said
but the way he said it. It was about the first tii,
his life he had ever uttered a statement in a tone of
conviction ; but it was not to be the last surprise.
Marie soon got the run of the house and became
accustomed to Mrs. Pattern's words. It was not many
weeks before her presence became manifest throughout
the entire mansion. Prettv oii'cpa nf fim ...., .1
B'nuemiie
elegant rooms, hitherto devoid of the touch of an artis
tic hand. Instead of repairing to bed early, as was
his wont, Little John lay on the lounge and listened in
delight to her music. She sang soft, low ballads for
him. ' Charl ' also soon became an attentive listener.
In her leisure she read to Little John and in other
ways studied his comfort so patiently that she grew
almost indispensible to him.
" You're niakin' a fool of her! " angrily exclaimed
Mrs. Pattern. " What if she is wuth her wnges, do
you wani 10 spue ner ! "
" She's a different sor from us," Little John re
plied, slowly shaking his head. " She ought to lie
used easy.
Little John iM'gan to spend less time in the old
storehouse and Charl returned earlier from the city.
Charl watched the girl as she sketched or dexterously
fashioned delicate Dowers with her brush, while Little
John sat beside her and told over and over again the
ntory of how he got rich.
Mrs. Pattern's temper was in no wise improved by
what she termed the " goin's on " of the three. Not
that the girl neglected her duties. She was also mod
'xt and quiet enough; but Mrs. Pattern considered
that Marie had been engaged as a servant and should
- Kept in ner place. The good lady did not mean for
t 'fl girl to room with the cook, but, well, she had sonic
'"ll'Hilty in expressing her meaning, but she knew
Hometh.ng was wrong, and vented her displeasure on
the help, who lea without warning again.
" Ynu'H have to come into the kitchen, Charl,"
'nlled the god lady with worried sharpness. " Come,
K'-tinto my wrapper an' help clean up."
" u must excuse me. mother i.m,i;,1 n,,i .;,!
'''l.ve politeness, I shall have to decline to assist
' lie did not even glance at Marie, who was an
'"'Willing listener.
"Well I vum!" ejaculated Mrs. Pattern, s.iuat
' on the lowest stair in her astonishment. " What's
gut into him, anyway?"
Mril, Khe was pulling over this question Marie
Me Her the requj a88j8tan(.e) but am)(l(,r
M 7 t " '"niHe wa8 with servants. N,
' tern secretly exulted at this op,Hsition on the
pari of her Hon.