OCR Text |
Show A HOJiTEDBEffiESS. TALE OF FACTORY LIFE IN XKW EN'OLAND. TIjr MnJor MarNainura. I Chapter 1. ' Hrn INTBODll'ES T1IK KKADBB TO TUB IN-MATHS IN-MATHS OK MRS. MORIAKTl's I'OHPd RATIOS BoAIIOlJOI-HorSB, AMB rARTKTLARLY TO THB LADY WHO OWNS THB (JI1A.HD PIANO. There was a little flutter of excitement among the inmates of Mrs. Moriarty's lmrdirig-house, "Corporation Boarding House," as the highly polished brass plate announced on the spruce 1 r of the establishment es-tablishment owing totlie fai:t that a new lioarder was expected; and tliirtv tongues of thirty very nice looking girls assembled assem-bled an u ml the long table in the dining-room dining-room were discussing the probable looks, disition and general characteristics of the exected addition to their society. These young ladies seemed to be esjiecial-ly esjiecial-ly interested in one, seemingly, important uirticular, to-wit: In wlurh room the new-comer was to be installed. "Well, I'm sure they can't put her in our room, can they Jane)" cried 'ne of the girls, with a (rip nee of supreme confidence Into the fuce of her next neighbor. "That they can't," replied Jane as she carefully gathered a few green peas together to-gether on her plate preparatory to devouring de-vouring the same "we've got four girls in our room besides our two selves, an that is all Mrs. Moriarty allows ina single room, for 1 heard her my so." "Nor in our room, either, though there is one spare lied," exclaimed another "but I can tell you into whose room she vili go." Twenty-nine pair of eyes were turned ii) urn the sjieaker, ami double that nnm-ler nnm-ler of knives and fol ks ceased to rattle, while the voice of one pretty creature broke sudden silence by asking: "Irto whose room will she tro Nellie?" was n ci.' in dignity bKiiil her wT.ich attract ed the beholder, and this was felt though never admitted by the whole multitude of Mrs. Moriarty's boarders. The color of her eyes was i dark bluish grey; I changeable eyes, dark in moments of ex-j ex-j citeinent and serenely, sweetly gentle in periods of reie. ! Hit hair was very abundant and of a rich gulden color; though, in the suiiiight an auburn tinge of rare softness gently shimmered through it. Her complexion was purity itself in a word, she was a creature of rare beauty, and the reader may depend were sheotherwise she would not apear in these columns as the heroine he-roine of this story. About three months prior to the present time, she had pulled the 111 at the front door of Mrs. Moriarty'a house and engaged en-gaged board, informing that stout but genial dame that tshe had been recommended recom-mended there by Mr. Jenney, the Superintendent Super-intendent of the" Factory. Mrs. Moriarty bade her welcome; and the two hail quite a long conversation together, to-gether, and tho result of that conversation caused considerable excitement among the generally hum-drum boarders of that establishment es-tablishment the cause of the excitement was that Miss Weldon was to be given a whole room to herself. The boarders divided themselves into groups and discussed this very wonderful and somewhat suspicious arrangement among themselves, ami wondered what the world was coming to, and particularly Mrs. Moriarty's boarding-house. But wonder was turned to the wildest amazement, when, a day or two after, a wagon backed up to tho dxr, and a "('hiekering Grand Piano" was carried into the house, and, marvel on marvel, right straight up to Miss Weldon's room! This was the feather that broke, the back-hone of tho unfortunate camel and completely demoralized what little order and regularity of mind ami sense the twenty-nine loarders of Mrs. Moriarty possessed. "This is putting on Tufties' with a ven- Hue nad no ceeile.l In her purpose howevershe how-evershe bal broken the charm! the boarders gave forth a sigh of relief, and the usual chatter-chatter began. In the meantime, and without attracting the attention of her companions. Hai-bai-a Glendon had flitted quietly from the room. Let us follow her for a brief jieriod to her own aiartuient. a large souare loom, chaining six !edi, the usual epportion-ment epportion-ment incorporation Hoarding-houses w itli a tre floor, a couple of washstands, half a dozen broken chairs, a couple of cracked looking glasses j a number of dresses ami other wearing apparel hanging from the walls. Barbara filendon carefully locked the door behind her. Khe then drew a letter from her pocket, which she unfolded, probably for the third time, and proceeded to read it. having done so. she let her hands fall into her lap, and bent her eyes almtractedly on the floor. Her face was very pale, and in every lineament of it the agitation of her mind was perceptible. Suddenly she sprang to her feet, and walked up anil down the room j her hands were clenched and pressed to her burning brow in a little time ahe paused, and a low sigh escaped her, and ahe mutteid : "Yes! I will do it. What is the world without him surely there it no harm yes I will see him!" Seeming thus to have come to a determination, de-termination, she hastily liathed her face and airanged her gloriously abundant hair; donned her outer garments, and un- perceived, stole silently from the house. She passed hastily down the main street, and in about fifteen minutes found herself upon the common, the only public ground in the enterprising city of mills where our story is located. She moved slowly along one of the walks of this green bit of ground, when she was suddenly joined by, aparcn(ly, a young and very stylish looking man. She took his arm, w hich be extended, with seeming reluctance, and together they continued down the walk." How can I thank you Barbara you will allow me to call you Barbara, won't you how can I thank you for so kindly consenting to meet me," and he stooped his head and sought to peer under the vail which shaded the young girl's face. "You pleaded so hard. Mr. Blake that I could not refuse but I hardly think I am acting right in thus acceding to your wishes." she replied in a low, hesitating voice so different from her usual self. "Acting right!" he said. "Why Bar-liara, Bar-liara, dearest, what, ran you mean can yon not comprehend how deep, how warm is the love I bear youtf Time and time again have I written to you to tell you of it. Without your love, my Barbara,'life is worthless to me; my wealth is nothing but dross if you refuse to enjoy it with me! Night and day you are in my "Into Miss Weldon's of course there are four spare beds in her room, and only herself to occupy thein.'' The battery of eyes aforesaid, were now turned toward the farther end of the diuing-tahle where the young lady just mentioned. Miss Weldon, was serenely sitting, taking no part in the conversation, and paying a wise and judicious attention to the various viands before her. At the mention of her name she slightly slight-ly raised her head, gazed coolly for an in-timt in-timt up and down the loiig table, and then, in a dra I ling voice, anil with a movement supremely graceful and iH-tok-ening a sublime indifference tothe conversation conver-sation going on about her, she said, to the servant standing near: geance." saal JNellie Jones. 'She' 11 have a Sky-Terrier next." exclaimed ex-claimed Jenny Smith, anil immediately Miss Weldon was scut to Coventry the lxwu-ders with two or three exceptions took sides against her. and the tone of their warfare may lie judged from what the reader has already perused. M iss Weldon however troubled her head but very little about the lioarders. their opinions, or their conversation ; she filled her place in the factory tothe satisfaction satis-faction of her employers; was high in the graces of the Uuxom Moriarty, and what more could be desired for a young lady in her position. Chaptkh II. "A few berries, Sally, ami then I will-retire." will-retire." "She'll re-tire!" muttered one girl in a tone of smothered indignation. "Oh, my, how very fine we are!" fell from the lips of another only loud enough however for her near companions ears. I'What airs to lie sure!" mumbled a third, but Miss Weldon paid no attention to the mufterings aliout her, but finished her meal In silence; carefully folded her napkin with its ring of colored lione; and rising, swept from the room with the air and grace of a Qneen. "Well I never!" burst simultaneously ' from twenty-nine palpitating Ixisoms.more or less. 'Did you vr see such unsufTerable airs as that girl puts in though for that matter mat-ter she's no nue-e Qirl than than I ain for she's twenty-two if she's a day!" j "Yes, and and she paints!" "Ah, no Nellie; don't say that you know it isn't true." These last words came from the rosy . lips of a pretty little blonde, who did not j seem to share in the general feelings of ill will which characterized her companions compan-ions alxmt the tablet I "Well, if Bhe don't she looks as if she I does, and she's an airy thing any how!" I Our readers will see that Lindley Mur-I Mur-I ry was not fi familiar in Mrs. Moriarty's , IV.IliiuIoti ft,,! I WHttRKIS TIIKRR 18 SOMl'.THINO AllOCT TUB BOAHOKRS, BIT MO KB ABOt'T BARBARA OLB-NIJON AND UKR LOVKR. Who was Miss Gertrude Weldon and where did she come from? These were questions of considerable interest among the inmates of the boarding-house where, for the time being, she resided. Numerous attempts had been made by Barbara Glendon and others less astute among the boarders to sound Mrs. Moriarty Mori-arty on the subject ; but that good lady only answered them with a good humored smile, saying invariably : "How should I know who the young la- ' dy is or where she comes from? I only! know that she pays me for what she re- ' ceives and gives me no trouble, and I would advise you girls to give her no trouble." "Yes, but, Mrs. Moriarty. onlv think of it a "Chii kering's Grand," ami she only t a factory girl lord! Will wonders never' cease there she is playing on it now!" 1 She was indeed. Strains of rich music ' came floating down from the room of Miss j Weldon, on the "First Flat," as the littlo advertisingslipsof "Rooms to Let" have it, and the boarding-house became flooded with melody, much to the secret delight, but apparently to the visible chagrin of i the young ladies assembled therein one 1 of whom. ?'e!!i Jones, remarked. I thoughts I cannot see you m your boarding-house, I cannot see yon in the mill, I must gaze upon you at a distance as you go and come from your home to the factory, fac-tory, and from the factory to your home again. Right! In the name of heaven, child, what can there le wrong about it. I love you Barbara, deeply, passionately! To me you are all the world ; ay, darling! Tin icorld lm and hereafter! Tell me that you love me! Tell me that your dear heart is my own sjieak Barbara tell me that you love me tell me that you will be mine!" The man by her side spoke in low, passionate pas-sionate tones there was a music in his voice that thrilled this girl to the very centre of her being. She loved the man by her side madly and lieynnd measure but something seemed to rise up and stand between him and herself. An impalpable something H stood with arms outstretched holding these two apart and it seemed to look imploringly upon up-on her soft and tender eyes and filled with expressions of unutterable love she seemed to hear it night and day ever since he had first beheld the being at her side and she knew the vision ; she knew the face of her guardian angel that stood letwecn herself and Wutif Who can tell? TO BE CONTINUED. "She's a very lady-like young lady; j rather exclusive if you like, but still a ) !ei-8on I verv much admire," continued I the generous little blonde and it seems to ! mo that she has a perfect right to choose her companion or keep all to herself if she so desires." "You do, Mi Gi-ey vh think no well, let me to'! you that she has no right to V -"iy such thing or any one else here tor that matter. This is no place for airs she's a Factory girl and she knows it, and has no more right to put on airs over us, who are as good as she, than Rally has! It's all well enough when she's out on the street to put on 'ruffles' but in the house it is an ent'n-elv different thing! That's my opinion, and i don't care who hears it!" This bit of eloquence fell from the lips of a boldly handsome girl; who. having finished her dinner had arisen from the table, and standing by her chair bad thus bravely harangued the boarders. Barbara Glendon was a girl of raifl and peculiar beauty her features were large and bold and "faultless in moulded beauty. beau-ty. Her complexion was dark, a rich current cur-rent of red blood showing through the delicate skin her lips were finely cut, and her teeth as white as jiearls large and even gleaming like a ridge of cream through the half open lips; her eyes were dark, and lighted with will and passion -her hair of raven darkness was coiled in rich abundance around her shapelv head) her figure was tall, strong and graceful. Barbara Glendon was a remarkable woman wo-man in more ways than one as the reader will learn before reading finu to our story. She was about eighteen years of age and had been a worker in a factory for aliout six months. Her companions in Mrs. Mo. riarty's boarding-house stood in considerable con-siderable awe of her for she was outspoken out-spoken in her opinions; sometimes savagely sav-agely sarcastic and terribly, for one so young and dependent, self-willed. When she had concluded the little lieech of assertion and defiance aliove set down she left the room with a sweep so similar, and an air of grace so exactly like that of Miss Weldon, who had preceded her, that Mrs. Moriarty's boarders set up a shout of laughter which brought that good lady into the room to see what was the matter. From what we have already written the reader will proliahly see the estimation estima-tion in which Miss Weldon was held by the inmates of Mi-s. Moriarty's "Caravansary," "Caravan-sary," if we may apply such a title to the eminently respected and generously conducted con-ducted "Corporation Boarding-house" of the amicable Mrs. M. Gertrude Weldon was not quite eighteen I when she was 'introduced to our readers; , the assertion of Nellie Jones to the contrary con-trary notwithstanding. She was medium sized, slender, and in her movements as graceful as a fawn. Her beautiful head I was set proudly and firmly upon a neck ; and shoulders, unmatched even in the wonderful marbles of the sculptor Powers. Pow-ers. Her form was rounded to perfection. Her step free and dignified and every at-I at-I tituda she assumed was complete with un-I un-I conscious gi-ace. The poise of her royal head seemed to add to her height. There "There goes that cranky old piano again 1 wonder if we are going to be disturbed disturb-ed in this way every evening; there's I lieen no jieaee in the house since that j Miss Miss Bel-dot has pitched her tent , here." "What's her other name Nellie!" que- i ried Jane Smith, her "chum." "Gertrude, I think." j "Gertrude? oh, iny, how aristocratic I I What's that she is playing now J" i "1 don't know, Jenny, some operatic air or another!" "It is an air from La Somtimnbubt, and , she plays it beautifully too. Hark! She's singing!" i The conversation ceased, and a bevy of heads were bent forward to listen tothe j rich contralto voice which warbled glori- ously from above. A few of the inmates of the seedy drawing-room moved on tip-toe to the door,; ami even Mrs. Moriarty and the servants ; gathered in the entry, to listen tothe glo- . rious vocalization from above. t Seddeidy the voice ceaseddmt the sweet music of tho piano was continued in a few moments the singers voice again fell upon the listening ears below, this time ! caroling an old liallad, with rare purity and power. j A strange hush fell upon the little mi- ; ditory below and unshed tears came into many an eye among those simple toil 'in in the Mil!, and strange to relate, in a distant dis-tant corner of tho lioarding-houso drawing draw-ing room Barbara Glendon sat, her royal head bowed in her hands and her hands we with tears as the tender words "Oh my lost love and my own, own love. And my love that loved me so; To those never a chink in the world above. Where thev listen for worJs from below" eil upon her listening ears. Was it the I pure and tender tones from aliove, or ; was it the sweet wiJrds of Jean Ingelow that, recalling some tender memory caused the tears to till and overflow the eyes of this strangely beautiful and wayward girl. All unnoticed she set in the dark recess, her form quivering with emotion.while the rest of tho boarders were rapt in the delicious de-licious melody that floated down to them from alxive. Hers was not the only heart whose cords rescinded to the singers gentle touch even the bitter tongue of pug-nose Nellie Jones was silent, and there was a dimness in her hard eyes, which, had nht known it, she would have been heartily ashamed of. At last the music ceased, aud the little community resumed their various seats, and for a few moments there was a dead silence, suddenly broken by that brazenfaced brazen-faced Nellie Jones with "the heartless word so the consciences of the listeners deserved them : "Well, what can that woman I thinking of to sit up there squalling and banging on that music-box this time o'night ; 1 declare de-clare if there aint a crowd outride listen-ing." listen-ing." Now Nellie insinuated ontfib and boldly told another, in the little sentence she had given utterance to. In the first place it was quite early, not seven o'clock in the evening; and in the sacond, there was no one listening outside whatever. |