mmmm^m^: agagiUBsaiuc»x)ss>ia*ias>^x^^x-ri^>iKL^sse»fs»if SSR^SaSKSiSSKSjij;' PERKINS LIBRARY Duke University I^re Books Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2010 with funding from Dul our selves and our posterity. Albert Ross. Address : No. 33 West 2^d Street, New Voo-i, CONTENTS, Cbapt«r 1, The Marchioness of Riv^erfall II. A Man of Business. . III. Love vs. $30,000 a Year, IV. '* No Flesh as Cheap as Human V. The Wickedest Man. VI. Converse, the Anarchist. . VII. A Dressmaker's Apprentice. VIII. The Slave and the Master. IX. " It May Mean Motherhood." X. "Are You a Capitalist?" XI. The Agent's Constable. XII. The "Mill-hand's Errand.' XIII. In an Armed Camp. . XIV. "Yes, I Understand," she said. XV. An Oath on the Crucifix. XVI. " I Am a Murderer." . XVII. A Little Fire in the Grate. XVIII. A Strong Light Goes Out. XIX. "And She Did Not Refuse, Flesh. 9 24 37 50 61 73 87 102 III 121 132 142 152 165 178 193 203 215 223 vm OONTENTft Chapter XX. An Awful Shock and Jar. . XXI. " Whatever the World May Say XXII. "Very Much Like Anarchy." XXIII. Where Was Nathalie ? XXIV. The Dynamite Plot. . XXV. Mr. Stebbins Sells His Stock. XXVI. Two Strange Marriages. XXVII. Edna Makes a Revelation. . XXVIII. A Journey and Return. XXIX Looking Backward. «. « . 237 . 24C . 251 . 271 , 281 . 294 • 305 317 • 325 • 339 SPEAKING OF ELLEN CHAPTER I THE MARCHIONK98 OF RJVERFAIJk " Speaking of Ellen — " " Yes ?" "How came she to be called the ' Mai-cKk>ness of Riverfall ? ' " The young man to whom the questiow was addressed, paused a moment. " Local history does not record the origin of the title," he saio, when he was ready to reply. *' What do you fAini was the reason ?" *• Her manner, I should say, I'or I doubt if you ever saw anything more stately. Though why ' Marchioness.' in- stead of ' Duchess ' or ' Queen,' I do not understand. She might be the EMPRESS of Riverfall, if one wer© to judge by her gait and manner.'' "You did not mention her surname, I believe." " She has none ; no, and she is rather proud of the fact. Her mother was an English girl, who used to work in the mills here, the same as Ellen does now. Her father is said to have been a United States senator." [9I 10 SPEAKING OF ELLEN. " Then Ellen is—" "What the law calls illegitimate? — yes." Philip Westland noticed a peculiar inflection in the tone in which his companion uttered these words, as well as something strange in the words themselves. " What the law calls," he repeated. " And what doei Hugh Mayfield call it T " Love-born." Philip Westland laughed lightly. " Perhaps the United States senator deserves no such compliment," he said. "He is quite likely to have been a cold-hearted villain, without redeeming qualities." "Very true," said Mayfield, "but my reference was wholly to the mother. The father's part in a child is usually selfish ; the mother's nearly always sublime. The unfortunate mill-girl must have loved the senator, and her child deserves no epithet that carries with it a sting." Westland looked thoughtful. " Ellen could have taken his name, though," he said. *' I have known of such cases." " She would not honor him so highly," was the positive rejoinder. " Ah ! She lacks the filial sense, does she?" " On that side, naturally. Her father never acknowl- edged her, and even repudiated her mother, when in- formed of her condition. He was not a senator then, but the handsome son of a rich father, and just beginning to rise in politics. The story of his liason, had it become known to the world, might have injured him. He could have provided for her in a quiet way, but she would have been a constant menace. The easiest thing was to aban* don her, and he did it." A bitter feeling was evident in the sharp, cutting tones THK MABCHIONE38 OF BITKBFALL. 11 of the speaker, for which his companion could find no warrant in the circumstances of the case, as he understood them. *' You speak warmly, Hugh," he said. " What interests you so deeply in the Marchioness of Riverfall ?" " She is my sister," was the unexpected reply. " Your sister !" " Yes ; and yours." Westland looked relieved. " Oh, in the broad sense, eh ? A daughter of our mother Eve. Well, she is a credit to her lineage, in looks, at least, if all accounts are true. I would like to know her better." Hugh glanced inquiringly at the speaker's face. Its owner evidently belonged to what is called in some cir- cles the "upper classes." The features upon which Hugh gazed were those of a man who considered him- self born to rule. Westland's air, while perfectly good- natured, was undoubtedly aristocratic. Mayfield, on the contrary,though dressed becomingly in his best suit, could not have disguised the fact that he was a " working- man." Nobody would have mistaken him for a "gentle- man," as that word is so often misapplied. His hands were hard and rough. All of his garments together could not have cost as much as the chain and seals which were attached to Westland's gold watch. Everybody in Riverfall knew Hugh. The employes of the Great Central Corporation, that gigantic concern which owned all of the mills, as well as the larger part of the other real estate in Riverfall, looked up to him as to a friend upon whose intelligence and sympathy they could always rely. But Mr. Ezra Baker, the mill agent, who could find no fault with his work, suspected him of IS SPEAKIHO or BIXCK. holding incendiary viewi on the relations between Cap> ital and Labor. " If there is ever another strike here," A^ent Baker had remarked more than once, to various directors, " I shall keep my eye on that young Mayficld." Philip Westland had reached the age of thirty years, making him some six years the elder of the young " mill- hand" with whom he was walking the streets of River- fall on the morning when he is introduced to the reader. His usual abiding place was in the city of New York, where, in an office on lower Broadway, he was supposed to attend to the management of the estates of minors and others — a business which had descended to him by natural process from his deceased father. Among the property which he had in charge was considerable stock in the Great Central Corporation, as well as sundry houses and lands adjacent. His acquaintance with Mayfield was at first accidental, but time had cemented it into a friendship which apparently bade fair to be lasting. Westland liked to talk with Hugh. He had a taste for controversy, and delighted in argument, so long as it was conducted on an agreeable basis. Mayfield cultivated his acquaintance largely because he thought him arable ground for the labor reform seed which he was so fond of sowing. One was an aristocrat up to a certain line, though courteous to a degree in his inter- course with those whom he esteemed beneath him in a social way. The other, while deeming himself the equal of any man who walked the footstool of God, was proud to be a Man of the People, and had no desire to rise above his condition, unless he could lift his fellows at the same time. "Why do you wish to know Ellen ?" he asked. " You Would find her haughty, and very likely you w«uld call THE iLA.RCHIONEae OF KITERFALI.. 18 her impolite. She has little love for men in your sta- tion. To her a gentleman of wealth is nothing more or less than a robber who has plundered his goods from those more ignorant or weaker than him^?clf." Westland broke off a branch from an apple-tree which hung over the road, and began to chew the white and red blossoms. " Waiving for the moment the point that I am not a 'gent^man of wealth,* but a hard-working man of business, Ellen's opinions must be about the same as your own, Hugh. I have been told so often during the past year that I am the agent of organized thievery that I can surely endure to hear it once more, even from feminine lips." " You would find it quite different, though," said Mayfield. " I talk to you in the ordinary, colloquial way. Ellen would be apt to say unpalatable things, when she found how strongly you oppose her views." Westland laughed. *' Perhaps I should not oppose them," said he. " I have learned a few things since I dropped to this planet, and one of them is never to dispute a woman. If Ellen were to 'accuse me of such things it were better my mother had not borne me," as Hamlet remarks, I would hear her meekly. No, Hugh, have no fear on that score." They turned a comer and walked on, further out of the village limits, toward the country. "You could not help it," said Hugh, after a brief in- terval. " No, you could not. Ellen would »ay what would compel you to reply." ** For instance — " "Oh, it is too much to expect me to tma^ne a con- versation between two tueh people as Ellen and yoa 14 8PEAKINO OF BLLBH. Both are well equipped for an argument, but were you te enter into one, you would be sure to come off second best. You had better not try it." Westland had eaten the apple-blossoms, and was now biting the stick. "But I shall, Hugh," he said, decidedly. " My curi- osity is aroused. I must have an interview with the senator's daughter — that is, if she will accord me one. I shall ask you to introduce me, but I shall hope to ar* range my talk with her when there will be no witnesses to my discomfiture." The " mill-hand" looked rather uneasy. *' You won't take a frivolous vein, I hope," he said. *' Ellen is quick to notice. Don't assume an air of patron- age. You would be sure to suffer for it." " Have no fear," replied Westland. " I shall act as if she were in every sense my equal." " But she considers herself vastly your superior," was the unexpected rejoinder. Philip Westland took the apple-twig from his mouth and wiped his lips with a white silk handkerchief. "Indeed !" he ejaculated. " I might as well prepare you," continued Mayfield, ** if you are to insist on talking with her. Ellen is gen- tleness itself in her dealings with what she calls her ' own people.' When she meets one of your class — Agent Baker, for example — it takes very little to bring her dis- dain to the surface. I have seen him paying her off on a Saturday night when her pose and expression would have made her an excellent model for a statue of Con tempt." Westland returned the handkerchief to his pocket, re* marking, laconically — -* •But sb« took the money." THB MARCHIOiraSS OF HITERrALL. IS "Yes. And as she swept the pittance into her purse one could read in her countenance, as in illumined print, * They have kept back the lion's share, these thieves I and deserve the execration that belongs to all their ilk!'" Then the New Yorker said, quietly : "Agent Baker must be an affable man to endure that sort of thing. Not at all the heartless fellow he has been represented." " Endure it !" cried Mayfield. " What else can he do ? Were he to discharge Ellen, not a spindle in his mills would revolve till she was reinstated. Agent Baker is clothed with great powers ; he can do many arbitrary things ; but he knows better than to raise a personal issue with the Marchioness of Riverfall !" Westland had plucked a second apple-brancli, and engaged in another attempt to masticate the blossoms upon it. *' Are you sure you are not overstating the cas< ?" he said. " Perfectly sure. The spinners and weavers of River- fall have suffered cut-downs before now — sometimes after a fight, and sometimes without one. They have borne increased hardness of rule. The greed of Capital, of which Agent Baker is the exponent, may grind them lower yet, for all I know, though I doubt it. But put his two thousand employes face to face with the simple question of standing by Ellen and not one of them would budge. Ezra Baker is a bold man, but he will never try that." Then the New Yorker, without changing his tone or expression in the slightest degree, said : " Hugh, if I were the agent of the Great Central Cor- ooiation, and Ellen treated me in that manner, I would IC SPEAKING OF ELLEH. discharge her on the spot. I should consider it nec- essary." "And the result would be what I have predicted," said Mayfield, grimly, Westland spat out the apple-buds he had been chew- ing. "A nice state of affairs you open to me, in an alleged free country ! A man compelled, whether he will or no, to employ a certain person in his mill under penalty of having his entire establishment closed ! Why, there is no greater tyranny in Russia ! Our fathers fought Great Britain for less. If I were proprietor of the Great Central mills — I won't say agent, for the directors might not endorse my action — I would see moss cover its walls, its water-wheels go to decay and its machinery rust be- yond repair, before I would let any man, woman or child in my employ dictate to me how to manage my own business." Mayfield preserved a courtesy of demeanor equal to that of his companion. They had often had talks on the labor problem, and each knew quite well what to expect from the other. " Your statement brings up a hundred things," said the " mill-hand," " the principal one being whether the running of a set of mills in which two thousand persons are employed is the ' own business ' of one man. I have an idea that it is the business of every person who works there. If the owner, for a fancied injury, deprives one of them of the privilege of earning his bread, the others do well to resist, for the general welfare." Westland bowed assent. " They have a right to do anything they can accom- plish, and I have a similar right, if they are my employes la the case you cite they might ieave the mills, and staf THll UAJK7HIONE88 OF KrVEKTALX. 17 out till the surface of Hades became congealed, but they never could force me to employ a person I did not want. No, even if it took my last dollar!" Mayfield smiled. " You would do well not to advance such doctrines in your coming interview with Ellen — that is, if you still think of having one." " Why — is she dangerous ?" " In argument— yes. She will get the best of you unless you adopt broader ground than your attitude suggests. You are on controversial soil that is only the alphabet to her." " And the burden of her song will be the oppression of the honest laborer by the bloated capitalist," said Westland. " Well, I am ready to meet her. I remember that the bloated laborer knocked the honest capitalist out of a year's dividend, not so long ago, in this very town, and I know of more than one family that was greatly inconvenienced by the loss of income that ensued." As the friends had now walked a good mile beyond the village limits, they began slowly to retrace their steps. " What was the source of the income of which you speak ?" asked Hugh, presently. " Mill stocks, left by husbands and fathers." "Where did the husbands and fathers get those stocks ?'• " Where ? Bought them, of counc" " Of whom r " People who had them to sell." " But where did the original owner* get them ?" per* sifted Hugh doggedly. 1$ SPEAKING OF EIOiKN. Westland looked at his companion. He thought he 'vas trying to perpetrate a joke at his expense. " I only want to prepare you a little for what you may expect at Ellen's," said Hugh. " She will take you back to first principles. You see, if I find you in possession of a piece of real estate that my great-grand-uncle willed to my great-grandfather, and of which he was never legally dispossessed, I can oust you and get possession, no matter how many false deeds lie between your claim and mine. I therefore wish to know how honestly these stocks became those of your unfortunate widows and orphans. If the principle is a just one, why not apply it to both cases ? Ellen would probably ask you that." Nothing in this statement seemed in the least to dis- turb the gentleman to whom it was addressed. He strolled along, with his hands clasped behind him, his straw hat tipped back a little from his intellectual fore- head, evidently at peace with all the world. " I should say to Ellen — as I say to you," he replied, *' that the laws of this Commonwealth and of the State of New York are a sufficient answer to the question. The ownership of those shares is as well settled as that of the petticoats and bonnets she professes to call hers." " But the law cannot fix their value" interrupted May- field, " which is the important point, after all." A new idea had evidently been conveyed to the capi- talist. " Their value," Hugh proceeded, " depends on their ability to earn — I use the cant phrase of business — it is not the correct one — dividends. A stock that ceases to De productive — another erroneous expression, but the usual one — ceases to have real value. The employes of the Great Central Corporation can destroy your divi- dends any year they please. Does not this teach you THE MAKCHIONE8S OF RIVKKFALL, i9 that the running of a mill is not altogether the busir»c:s of its alleged owners, but of the people who do its work, as well?" As the New Yorker listened, a quiet smile came over his face. " I have left some things in my home," he said. " Dur- ng my absence some one may have entered and taken the most valuable of them. This should teach me the folly of locks and bolts. Yes, I understand." •' If you had taken the things in the first place from the person who has entered your house, the case would seem nearer a parallel. But then, according to law, he would not need to break in. He could get a sheriff and a writ of replevin. " Westland laughed aloud. " Thai's ingenious, upon my word !" he exclaimed. "But really, Hugh, you forget one important thing. The emp>loyes of a mill agree to work for a stipulated wage, and accept it on pay-day as compensation for the services they have rendered. What, in law or reason, gives them a right in that other great factor in the production of goods, called Capital ? If they don't want the work at the rates offered, why do they apply for places ? There are always plent y who do. I tell you the American work- ingn>an would be better off to-day if all the Agitators and Theorists were shipped to Africa." " Tell that to Ellen," laughed Mayfield, " and she will answer you. I have gone much further with this discus- sion than I purposed when we began, and I fear I shall cover some of her ground. I am glad, on the whole, that you are going to talk with her, for with your imperturb- able good nature no harm can result. When would you like to meet her ?" Westland thought a moment. 30 SPEAKING OF ELLlOr. " The sooner the better. Why not to-day ? As it U Sunday she will have more time than during the week, and so shall I. Besides, I am liable to rfeturn to the city to-morrow. She won't object to talking on Sunday, I suppose ?" " Why should she?" was the brief response. The slow walk which the friends assumed brought them, fifteen minutes later, within the precincts of the manufacturing village, and shortly afterward they as- cended the rough stairway of one of the corporation houses. Anyone who has ever visited a New England mill town need not be told that in most of them the em- ployes' houses are square edifices of a uniformly unat- tractive appearance, surrounded by neither fence nor lawn. Sometimes they are of unfaced brick, sometimes of wood that is painted, if at all, in colors selected with an eye to wear rather than beauty. Places to cook and sleep in they undoubtedly are, but who could apply to them that bright English word " home ?" The rents re- ceived from these tenements are often sufficient to pay their entire cost every four or five years. In such a building, on the third floor, were the two rooms occupied by the Marchioness of Riverfall, and Philip Westland owned to an uneasy feeling as he stood with Mayfield at her door, and heard the resounding knock on the pine panel. Westland had never seen the Marchioness, though his visits to Riverfall had been quite frequent during the past year, and his preconceived notions hardly prepared him for the reality, when the " mill-girl " opened the door and Mayfield presented him in the usual manner. He saw a beautiful young woman, a little above the average height ; with dark and most expressive eyes, that looked anything but dangerous ; heavy black hair, evidently of THB MARCHIONESi OF BIVBRFUX. 21 unusual length, becomingly arranged upon a finely, shaped head ; a complexion fresh as the apple-blossoms he had picked that morning ; slender hands (this he noticed instantly) that miglit have been elegant but for the effect of mill work ; a plain cambric dress, with linen collar and cuffs and, more noticeable than all the rest, a stateliness of carriage that seemed to the city gentle- man strangely out of keeping with her station and sur- roundings. " Ellen," said Hugh, after exchanging greetings, " 1 have brought my friend Westland to you at his own re- quest. He is a thorough representative of our enemies the Capitalists, and I want you to convert him." A cloud passed over Ellen's face as she listened. She motioned her callers to seats, but herself remained standing. " I am hardly in a condition to talk to any one to-day, Hugh," she said, and Westland noticed that her voice was quite as charming as her countenance. " Mr. Baker has hired three more children for the mill — little ones who ought to be kept at school. He seems to care noth- ing for the law, and I do not know why he should, as no official ever interferes with him. The pi^rents of these children are French Canadians and they want their wages. I saw them yesterday. The youngest is nine and the eldest thirteen. Poor little things ! Too young to begin a life like ours — is it not, sir — a life they, will probably renounce only for the grave !" She had appealed to Westland, and he found himself drawn into argument sooner than he anticipated. " If the parents of these children really need their wages for their support — as I understand from your statement — what remedy would you suggest ?" he asked '* Hunger must be satisfied." ^3 SPEAKING OF ELLEN. The dark eyes dilated, and the handsome mouth grew firmer, "Do you contend, sir, that it .is an equitable rate of wages which refuses a parent enough to provide his chil- dren with the bare necessaries of life without putting them into the mill before they reach their teens ?" Westland was not at all abashed. " How many children has this Canadian?" he asked. *' Probably a dozen. Allowing that to be true, would the mill-agent be justified on that account in paying him proportionate wages as compared with other men who have three children or none ?" Ellen listened with an expression in which pity seemed uppermost. He saw now better than before why the people had given her a title. Court robes or jewels were not required to enforce her claim. Nobility shone in every look and action. "But where is our great mother, the State!" she cried, throwing back her head with a superb motion. " The State, which claims our allegiance, which seizes our sub- stance for its revenues, which drafts our brothers into its armies, which punishes our treason even with death ! Every child that is born adds to its strength and glory ! Shall the State, then, demand our all and give us back nothing ? Agent Baker is but a man — a man limited in iiis powers by the greedy capitalists who employ him. But the State is a god ! It has the power to protect its children. It cannot afford to let them be stunted in their infantile years. We who make the State, how long skall we appeal to it in vain ?" Westland was much impressed by the beauty and elo- quence of the speaker, but the words themselves touched no responsive chord. When she had finished he said : THE MARCHIONESS OF EIVEEFALL. iS •* I shall be glad to discuss this entire question with you whenever you can spare sufficient time. I should like to go to the bottom of the subject. Neither of us might be able to convince the other, but both could hardly fail to gain new ideas." •* Mr. Westland is disposed to do right," put in Hugh, " but he can only be persuaded through his reason. I have talked to him considerably, I admit, without much effect, but I think you could succeed better. In fact, when you have done with him, I shall quite expect to see him enroll himself in our ranks." Westland smiled at the statement. " While I wish very much to talk with you," he said to Ellen, "I do not encourage any such hope as that suggested by my friend. I am so sure of my premises that conversion seems impossible. In fact, I am not at all certain I shall not make a proselyte of you." At this Ellen smiled also. " I will see you this evening," she said. " My sick patients will take most of my time until then. There are always several persons who have broken down under the mill work, whom I take to some extent under my charge. They would be much disappointed were I to omit my Sunday calls. If you will come to-night, say at seven, I shall be glad to see you." Westland agreed to the hour and, a few minutes later, took his leave with Hugh. " What a beauty !" he exclaimed, as soon as they were out of hearing. " She would adorn a palace ! I never saw such a queenly air ! But I suppose she would not give up her position as Marchioness of Riverfall for a Fifth avenue mansion. A strange eccentricity f Sh* seems so self-sufficient, too." He paused and then added : SPEAKING OF ELLEK. " She will probably work on in these mills tili she grows old and faded, with never a husband or child to adore her. Don't you think so ?" " I don't know ; you might ask her,'* was Hugh's rather peculiar reply. CHAPTER n, A MAN OF BUSINESS. The day after the conversation just related Philip Westland rang the bell of a residence on Lexington avenue, New York city, as the sun was setting. The servant who responded admitted him without ceremony, and allowed him to proceed to a room on the second floor, where he knocked gently at the door. The rustle q( a woman's dress was instantly heard, and a moment later he had entered and stood in the presence of a fine- looking lady, perhaps twenty-one years of age, who was attired in deep black. " I heard you on the steps, even before you rang," she said, joy beaming from her pale face. " How glad I am that you are here !" He looked a little annoyed, but gave the lady a slight embrace and touched his lips lightly to hers. She could not see the expression of his features, for she was blind ; but she felt, with the instinctive knowledge of those thus deprived, that he was not as happy as usual. "Philip," she said, gently, "what is the matter? Come and sit by me on the sofa and tell me all yout troubles." Jl ILAJ^- OF BUSIKESg. 25 ** I have none," he answered, forcing a laugh, as he accompanied her to the place designated. " Have I not told you often that trouble and I were never made acquainted with each other? I wish you could say the same, Edna." "When you are with me it a/nost seems as if I could," was her earnest reply. " It is only when you are .'tway that the time drags slowly. Do you realize that you have been out of town four days ?" Westland took up the hand she placed in his and pat- ted it absently. " Four days I" he repeated. * I did not think it was so long." Then he added, more, apparently, to divert her attention than for any other reason, " play me something." She sprang up brightly and took a violin from an adjacent table. There was no sign in her movements of her great misfortune. She placed her hand as confi- dently upon the instrument as if her sight was perfect. The blind learn to remember and to judge distances more accurately than those who see. The manner in which she held the violin and the way she drew the bow across it showed her love for the task. Music floated out upon the atmosphere of the room, filling it with low, sweet sounds. Edna Melbourg was a thorough mistress of an accomplishment too rare among American ladies, and Westland found himself under the spell of the har- mony before he was aware of it. He lay back and dreamily watched the striking face that bent lovingly over the violin, and the long, slender fingers, plentifully adorned with plain and mourning rings, that plied the bow. The loose sleeves which the lady wore revealed Bome space of forearm, where the delicate white flesh 26 SPEAKING OF ELLEN. with its environment of lace appealed to his sense oi refinement. "Do you know what that is ?" she asked, pausing in her playing. " No," he said, with a slight start. " You had soothed me into such a deep reverie, I did not notice when you ceased to play." " It is called * Love in Italy.' Philip, when are you going to take me there ?" He drew his hand across his forehead and said, absently — "Oh, sometime." She came and sat by his side again, upon the sofa. " It will be full of wonderful things — that sometime of yours. I have always wanted to be in Italy. I can scent in imagination its balmy air. I can hear the glad notes of its song-birds. I can imagine the gondolas, gliding through the water with the easy motion of swans. I can feel the delicious breezes of the Adriatic and the Mediterranean fanning my cheek. All these I have dreamed of, and sometime — yes, sometime — you and I will experience them together !" It was the last word in her rhapsody that made West- land shrug his shoulders, though the movement was so slight as to be imperceptible even to Miss Melbourg's quick senses. " You must not forget," he said, " that were we to- gether in Italy we should be farther apart than we are here in New York. I can visit you in this house, and the plea of business answers for everything. This is your home. In Italy we should be Philip Westland and Edna Melbourg, traveling acquaintances. I am not enough older than you to pass as your guardian and it would take little to attract attention. The female Cerberus you A MAN OF BUSINESS. 37 (vould be obliged to take along would deprive us of sol- itude, even in the handy compartment railway carriages She would not recognize your ingenious claim that you are still that little child who used to climb on my knee and ask for bon-bons, though you and I have never noticed the difference. Why, I could not sit by you on a sofa like this, anywhere in the length and breadth of Humbert's dominions." She bore a triumphant look as he finished — the look of one who feels herself competent to surmount every difficulty. "Leave that tome," she smiled. "There are apart- ments that can be hired in every city of Italy as well as here. There are Italian waiting-maids who speak no English, and understand no more than one wishes them to. There are secluded villas in the interior, among the vineyards, where we can go. Ital}' has its mountains, but none so high that resolution cannot surmount them. No, Philip, I have not been listening to the reading of everv book on Italy that I could buy during the past two years for nothing. In that case yonder you will find all the Italian lore you could need in a lifetime." Much of the weary look disappearca from his face before the radiance of her expression. "But," he said, "I am well known and should almost certainly meet Americans wherever I went. It would not be agreeable to be detected in surreptitious prac- ticed, which would surely be misconstrued. You would learn before you had been abroad a month that the world is a very little place, and that — compared with it — New York is a very large one." She leaned toward him and placed one arm about his necK. **l wish I could see vour face and tell how mucb in 88 SPEAKING OF ELLEN earnest yoti are," she said. "Supposing some meddles did discover us, would you care very, very much ?" He drew back and gazed into her eager face. "Would /care? Would you care, you mean ! I think you sometimes forget the limitations of your sex, Edna. How would you like to be the subject of gossip at tables d'hotes ? How would you like to hear that people said — " She put a finger upon his lips. " If I was innocent — " " How would the world know that ?" "My misfortune should stand my sponsor," she an- swered, soberly. With a gentle motion he took her arm from his neck. " People are judged by appearances," he said. " Not a man or woman who knows us could enter this room at this moment and hold us blameless. I am an avowed celibate and your father's will stands in the way of your marrying. What follows ? Platonic affection ? These are not the symptoms. Clasping arms about one, hold- ing his hands, kissing his lips — these are not platonic tokens. Imagine a journey to Italy added, with an element of secrecy thrown in, and it would convince even the Grand Jury." If he had intended to bring a cloud into the blind lady's face he had succeeded well. Her expression was touching in its sadness. " It is true," she said, " that my father's will provides that I shall lose his property if I marry. He thought he did wisely in making that provision, as he feared I might become the victim of some adventurer, who only sought my money. His wish would be sufficient to influence me, even had he made it known less emphatically. But — " and here a deep blush suffused the pale cheek*— -^ A. MAir OF BUSINESS. 29 •he has not forbidden me to love. If he had, I might find compliance harder." Well was it for Edna Melbourg's peace of mind that she could not see Philip Westland's face as she uttered these words. It contained a mixture of sympathy, re- pugnance and regret that was not pleasant to contem- plate. He took out his watch and glanced at the hour, "Now, don't do that," said Edna, pleadingly. " You have been away four long days, and this evening belongs wholly to me. Talk to me, Philip. I never knew you so taciturn. What did you find at Riverfall to put you into this mood ?" He looked at her a moment. " There is a young woman there—" " You love her !" she cried, piteously. " No," he replied, without changing his tone. ** I should be more inclined to hate her, if I ever hated any- body. She puzzles me. I had a long talk with her last night — in her room." " In her room !" cried Edna, again. " Oh, Philip !" '* Yes, in her room !" repeated Westland, in a louder voice. " Where else ? Good God, Edna ! You are not jealous, as well as you know me ! There is no situation conceivable in which you should fear for me. Don't interject such insinuations, I beg !" The slender hands were clasped for a moment over the lady's sightless eyes. *' Sometimes I think I am growing insane.. I cannot bear to think you ever looked at a woman ! Well, go on." He composed himself by a brief pause and then pro- ceeded : " The Marchioness — ** "A titled lady—" •*It is only a local appellation, on account of her high 30 SPEAKING OF ELLKtf. and mighty bearing. Ellen is her real name. She talked to me as no one ever talked before. She is a child of the people — the lower strata — on the maternal side, but her father was a United States senator. Her mother was never married." Miss Melbourg drew a little away, as if from fear of contamination from one so recently in such company. "A strange companion for Philip Westland," she said, coldly. "Admitted," was his equally cool reply. " But, as I said, I went to her room and talked with her. Yes, ^rom seven o'clock till after midnight — and I am going again." Miss Melbourg's forehead bore something very lik^t a frown at this announcement. '' Do you say this to annoy me ?" she demanded. *' I state it because it is the truth. We played a game for five hours — a game in which I have always believec^ myself somewhat proficient — and she came out ahead. I am not the man to give up easily, and I am going back to Riverfall and try again." The blind lady put both her hands on his arms and held him as if she would read his face with her sightless orbs. " Philip, what do you mean ?" " She told me I was the agent of a band of rob- bers — " " Told you ! — " " Yes, and nearly made me believe it. She accused me of being accessory to more than one murder — " " Oh, Philip !" " And I could almost see the blood-stains on my gar- ments. She told me I stole from the poor and gave to the rich, retaining my commission out of the dishonest A MAN OF BUSINESS. SI transaction And, as I live, Edna, I seemed as she spoke to hear the rattle of the base coin in my pockets !" Miss Melbourg looked much distressed. " She is a mesmerist, Philip. Promise me not to go there again." " I must go," he said, thoughtfully. " She is no mes- merist. She uses no power but that of argument. I shall study the question well before I return, for I do not believe she is right. She cannot be. There must be a fallacy somewhere in her theories, and I shall discover it." " You talk in riddles," said Edna. "Oh, it is the labor question, that I have heard argued from my infancy. But Ellen goes deeper into it than any person I ever heard or read. She succeeded in making me appear contemptible, though I refused to admit a single one of her claims." Feminine instinct dictated the next question : " What is she like ? Describe her." Westland attempted to comply, but like most men could give little beside generalities. Ellen was grand, magnificent, queenly. He could not tell the color of her hair or eyes, nor guess at her height or weight. " She was dressed in the commonest clothing," he said. •* Her gown was one of those prints that sell at ten cents a yard, and this was on Sunday, you must remember. Her room was very bare of furniture, but there were birds, and many flowers, and a few books and pictures. Fifteen or twenty dollars would buy everything there, f should say." " Her voice — masculine and harsh, I suppose 7" "On the contrary, it is very winning and gentle." ** Philip," said the blind girl, " you are in love with this * Marchioness.' You will deny it, and you are honest 33 SPEAKING OF ELLEW. in your denial, but I know it is true. I know the time must come when I shall lose you, but I should hope to resign you to other arms than those of an illegitimate mill-girl !" The lady had no sooner uttered these words than she regretted them. She feared their effect would be to arouse antagonism in the mind she was trying to per- suade. Abuse is seldom a potential weapon. But West- land only said : " Legitimacy is a relative term, Edna." "But, are you sure you are not in love with her ? Search your heart before you answer." He waited a reasonable time, during which the search- ing process was supposed to be progressing. " After a careful survey of my most vital organ," he said, "I find there no love for Ellen — nor for any other living woman." Then, seeing that he had hurt her, he added, " There are women whom I esteem highly, there is at least one toward whom I entertain sentiments of affection ; but I never was, never can be, in love. I have told you that so often, I should think you could never doubt it." A passive expression settled upon the lady's face and she made no reply. Soon he continued : " I am a man of business. I have no time for love. Rents must be collected, estates settled, dividends looked after There is another big strike brewing at Riverfall. If it lasts long it will entail a heavy loss to some of my clients — yourself among the number. Agent Baker is not the man to deal with those spinners and weavers, and besides, he wishes to resign. Some of the directors have asked me to allow myself to be elected in his place. If I accept, there will be something more important A MAN OF BUSINESS. SS than love affairs to claim my attention for the next vear," The sad look deepened on the face of the blind lady "That would effectually dispose of our Italian jour- ney." He knit his brows at the unexpected recurrence to that subject. ■' Would you be willing," he asked, " to lose your in- irestments in Riverfall in order to get a few months in Italy ?" *' With you — yes. I have enough other income, and 1 have wanted to go so long ! My blindness makes me only a child, Philip, and I am easily disappointed." He knew it full well, but he said she could enjoy much if she went alone. * A good female courier would answer every pur- pose — " " No !" she exclaimed. *' I will not go without you ! How could I pass months beyond the sound of yout voice, beyond the touch of your hand 1 If we cannot go together we will remain here." She threw herself into his arms, which opened to re- ceive her. Though far from feeling sentiments similar to those which animated his companion, Westland was touched by her tenderness. The scene was one which they rehearsed frequently. As she lay with her face against his, he could feel the quick pulsations of her heart against his breast. His sympathies were enlisted, but no warmer sentiment was developed. It was his boast that no woman had ev>sr affected him, and he be- lieved none ever could. She drew his face closer, " Kiss me, Philip !" He permitted her to bring his lips into contact with hers, which met them half way. The traveler across -A SPEAKING OF ELLEK. be ground in the mire. We must strike. Our people must be impressed with the full significance of the move As Mr. Westland says, it will be a decisive contest." A knock interrupted the speaker, and when she opened her door the presence of the man whose name was last upon her lips certainly surprised her a little. However, she bade him enter in a pleasant voice, and gave him a chair. Hugh rose and took his hand with no greater or less outward cordiality than usual. " I did not intend to be an eavesdropper," said West- land, "but I could not avoid hearing my name mentioned as I reached the landing. It is perhaps a natural curios- ity that leads me to wonder what you could find interest- ing in that subject." Hugh glanced at Ellen, as if it were for her to make reply, but she signified that he might answer, and he said : "We were speaking of the relations of the Great Cen- tral Corporation to its work-people." " We'.l," said Westland, pleasantly, " in what respect has the corporation offended its employes this time.''" " There are rumors of an intended cut-down." Westland evinced a little astonishment at the rapidity with ^'ihich the news had traveled. Then he looked at the cr.'m lace that Ellen turpcd in his direction, and won- dered what she thought of him. "If ther^ should be a cut-down," he replied, evasively, "it would be ordered from sheer necessity. Probably you are aware of the fact that the stockholders have had no dividends for a year. You would hardly claim ihat they ought to invest their money here without reaping «ome reward. Or — perhaps you would, though," he the» menstoil. Take, for instswice, that suit o^ clothe* 58 SPEAKING OF ELLEN. you are wearing Somebody tended a flock of sheep on the plains ; somebody sheared them of their fleeces, washed the wool, combed it, transported it many miles, carded, spun, wove, colored, cut, made and pressed ic into its present form. It is a handsome suit, but it does not become you well, because I know you have never paid for it r Hugh was about to interpose a word, but Westland, with a quick motion, counseled him to silence. Ellen did not offend him. He was entranced with her elo- quence. " I can think of you as a babe," continued the Mar- chioness, looking through Westland rather than at him. " You had a hired nurse, of course, being the child of parents well-to-do. A seamstress sewed on your soft garments. A doctor was summoned if you cried. When you grew older teachers expended their energies in- stilling into your mind the knowledge that may be found in books. They taught you how to read the iniquitous laws of your country ; to compute the compound interest on four millions of watered stock, at twelve per cent, per annum ; to write essays on the unaccountable growth of vice and crime among the poor. Servants attended you, prepared your meals, swept your chamber, gratified your every necessity. When you reached the age of manhood, did you seek to render equal service to other helpless ones ? No ! You -wo.re. a. gentleman — God save the mark ! You never did anything, you never meafi to do anything, to help support the great table at which you have eateaj so greedily !" He listened with unchanging countenance, and when she paused he said, with deference : "I have no wish to dispute your assertions, but I am wondering if you think it a wholly disreputable profes* •' MO FLESH AS CHEAP A8 HUMAN FLESH.'* 5S sion to manage the affairs of the widows and orphant whose interests have been committed to my charge. Husbands and fathers have died content, feeling that their loved ones were provided for, confident that I would carry out their wishes in the disposal of the prop- erty they had acquired. Ought I to abandon my wards and prove unfaithful to my trusts ? I ask you in all hon- esty what you think of that." Ellen replied without a moment's hesitation : "The System under which you are acting is totally wrong. Because a man has succeeded in wresting fifty times his share from the earth, the mill or the mine, it is no reason why his widow should fold her hands in idle- ness or his children grow up drones for others to sup« port. I grant you that no child should be deprived ot education nor of the innocent enjoyments of youth. But, by what scale of justice must one set of children toil, for instance, in the mills of the Grent Central Corporation, in order that another set may live in luxurious ease? The will of a millionaire c. ihe fiat of a judge has placed certain sons and daughters of wealth under your protec- tion but, as a stockholder in these mills at Riverfall, there are also other children to whom you owe guardian- ship. Yes, children young and children old, your brothers and sisters by the same Almighty Father, who will surely hold you to a strict account when your final books are opened !" The silence that followed deepened tho-impressiveness of these words. Mayfield was the first to speak. *• I think Ellen will allow me to say that in ner arraign- ment of Capital she does not mean to be especially severe upon you, personally, Mr. Westland. She has only, I believe, used you vicariously, as representing a class." $Q SPEAKING oy KLLKF. ** That is all, certainly," said Ellen, with a beautifm smile that bore no trace of animosity. " You are Hugh's friend, and that makes you mine. We may differ for the present, but I think we shall do so with good nature, j do you the justice to think you a perfectly honest man, from your wholly erroneous standpoint. If we ever con- vince your reason, I am sure you will come to our aid Meantime I trust we shall see you often." " I admit that there is a fascination in your argument," said Westland, "and yet your views seem to me quite Utopian. But we shall soon be face to face with a real problem, in which I may be compelled to take an impor- tant part. The complications which will arise may strain our friendship ; I hope they will not break it. Before they do anything rash I trust the people'of River- fall will consider well. The mill-owners were never so strong in their determination to run their business after their own methods." All three had arisen, as the speaker showed a purpose to depart. Ellen smiled as she responded, "We also are determined," and as he looked into her resolute eyes he could not doubt that a great contest was at hand. Westland descended the stairs and walked along the deserted streets to his hotel. An odd thing came into his mind — a controversy he had lately read au account of, on the subject of platonic affection between men and women. " The case of Hugh and Ellen looks like that sort oi thing," was his mental comment. "Their attachment is lemarkable, and no one could look for a moment mto her pure face and harbor the thought of anything base. ' TKS WKIKSDEST Mill. §1 CHAPTER V. ^ THE WICKEDEST MAN, One afternoon Edna Melbourg received a call from her cousin Ralph, who proposed that she tak6 a ride with him out toward Harlem, in a dog-cart which he had brought for the purpose. After recovering from the surprise into which this request threw her, for he had never suggested such a thing before, she accepted the invitation and proceeded to another room to prepare herself. Ralph walked nervously up and down the par- lor, examining the pictures in an absent way, for his cousin's blindness had not prevented her from decora- ting her apartments with many products of the painter's art. Westland had selected most of them for her, or perhaps it would be more correct to say, she had selected them through him. He often accompanied her to studios and artists' sales, where she passed happy hours in listening to his descriptions of the works she could act see. When his account of any picture pleased her she would ask for the most minute particulars regard- ing it, and a purchase was frequently the result. She noted with exactness the location of each work whew they were hung in her rooms, and frequently described them, one after another, to callers, with a fidelity that was astonishing. Another thing that she particularly delighted in was statuettes, both of famous men and women, and of well-known works of art. These she took much pleasure in touching with her delicate fingers, kAffing no difficulty in recognizing each one as soon as !&• placed ber hand upon it. Nothing in her abode coo* 02 SPEAKING OF ELLEN. veyed the least suspicion of the misfortune of the occu^ pant. Ralph thought of this as he stood before one o( the numerous long mirrors and surveyed his own well- knit form. Mirrors in a blind girl's room ! "They seem almost as much out of place here as a husband would be," was his thought. Ralph had the highest opinion of his cousin Edna. Though a year his junior, she appeared to him enough older in wisdom to be his mother, almost. She had been a " young lady" nearly as long as he could remember. Westland's notion that they might be mated seemed quite visionary. He had not come this afternoon for the purpose of proposing. And yet, unless that idea had been advanced, he would not have been there at all. He wanted to be better acquainted with his cousin. He began to feel that he had done wrong to neglect her so, when she was the only relation he had in the city. Be- sides, an acquaintance with $30,000 a-year ought to be cultivated. When they were seated in the cart and had ridden two or three blocks, Edna surprised Ralph by asking what was the matter with him that afternoon, "You are troubled about something, cousin," she said. " Tell me what it is." " I ? Troubled ?" he answered, confusedly. " Why do you think that ?" "Oh, I can tell," responded Edna. "We blind people can comprehend some things better than you who have sight. In the first place you are taciturn, which is something very new for you. Then, your movements are more uneasy than is your habit. Instead of taking a seat in my parlor and looking out of the window while you were waiting for me, you paced the floor. Then again, though you have known me all your life, this is THE WICKEDEST MAJf. 0S the first time you ever took me to ride. Am I not justi- fied in the presumption that you have some trouble on your mind that you think I may be able to lift, or at least to advise you about. Come, cousin, own the truth, for I assure you equivocation is useless." Ralph listened astounded, as she drew the cords of evidence about him. " Well, you are observing !" he said. " You admit the correctness of my accusation," she answered, evidently pleased at this proof of her dis cernment. " Now, what is it ?" Ralph was the poorest person in the world at dissem- bling, and on this occasion he astonished himself no less than his cousin by his reply : "Say, Edna, do you want to get married ?" A bright color filled the girl's cheek at the question, so wholly unexpected. She drew several very short breaths, but almost instantly regained a portion of her outward composure. " Who told you to ask me that ?" she said. Then, as he hesitated, she added, " I know, Mr. Westland." The young man's eyes opened so wide at this guess that his cousin would have had no difficulty in con- victing him, on that proof alone, had she been able to see their expression. "Why, Edna — " he began. "You are stammering," she interrupted. "Why not be truthful ? Let me give you a lesson in frankness. I like you very much, but I do not want you for a hus- band. We ought to be attached friends — not lovers — and I trust from now on I shall see you more frequently. That is, if your other acquaintances will consent to spare you.' Ralph WIS so taken aback by her cool responses, and 64 SPEAKING or KLLEIf. especially by the mediumistic powers that she seemed to possess, that he could only repeat, " Other acquaint- ances!" with an equivocal intonation that did not escape the quick senses of the blind girl. She made an instant and successful guess, " Yes ; that fair creature, for instance, who has taken up so much of your thoughts during the past year." There was little risk in making this plunge. There are few young men who could not find some one in their list of feminine acquaintances to fit the description. Even if Ralph should protest with evident sincerity against her accusation, all she need do would be to laugh it off as a joke. But Edna had the wisdom of her sex com- bined with the keenness of those to whom physical vision is denied. She remembered Westland's unambiguous words, " He's got the Melbourg blood in him." "Tell me about her, Ralph," she said, softly. "Tell Hie what you mean by proposing marriage to one woman while your heart is already enthralled by another." "Goodness, Edna !" he cried, desperately. "You take a fellow's breath away ! Love is one thing, you know — and — and marriage — why, that's another." " Ah !" she retorted, with mock dignity. " So you were going to marry me and reserve your /ov nail on you ; or take you out riding in the same carriage ? More than that, I'd have to marry some woman who had money of her own, or we couldn't live. Did you know I'd got whittled down to a miserable %\^o a week '" 6Q SPV.KKTSQ OF ELLEN. " No," she said. "I thought you had nearly double that. How did it happen ?" " Why, those confounded strikers at Riverfall ! A lot of the stuff Uncle Laban left me to draw on was in the Great Central Corporation, which hasn't paid a cent of dividend for a year, and may never again. I'm in a stew half the time. I only wish he had left my funds in real estate, the way he did yours." Edna listened with interest. " When he died the Riverfall stocks paid better thaa the real estate," she said, with a business air. " But, my dear Ralph, throwing aside for a moment the moral questions involved, which you can understand as well as I, are you not a reckless and extravagant boy to under- take the care of a young woman when you confess your inability to support a wife ? I have heard that such con- nections are usually more expensive than legitimate ones." It struck Ralph for the first time that they were get- ting into rather deep water. " I think we'll change the subject, if you've no objec- tion," he said. " I have asked you to marry me and vou have refused, so I have no choice but to stick to Nathalie." Miss Melbourg smiled, and placed one of her gloved hands on his. " No, we will not change the subject just yet," she 6aid. " I am not preaching to you, my dear cousin, ihough no doubt I ought. I am only talking in a reason- able, business-like way, which you should be aole to bear. Now, to return to Nathalie. You say she was a good girl until she met you ?"' "Yes." " There is no doubt of that ?'* THE WICKEDEST MAN. #7 " Not the slightest." " And — with the exception of her relations with you — you believe she is good yet ?" " I would stake my life on it." " Then I would like to meet her," Ralph almost stopped the horse he was driving, as he heard this extraordinary suggestion. " You !" he cried. " Do you know what you are say- ing?" " Perfectly," she responded. " There are leagues, in my estimation, between your Nathalie and the class usually known as abandoned women. She is your true wife in all except a legal ceremony. I fear nothing from contact with her, for I know a girl cannot be very de- graded in whose society my cousin Ralph finds such pleasure that he wished to continue in it even after his marriage with another. Asa tribute to conventionality, however, I will not ask you to bring her to my rooms. I will go to hers." Ralph thought a moment before he spoke. " Why do you wish to meet her ? I tell you," he added, bridling, she is an awful nice girl ! Only," he continued, regretfully, ** I wish she wouldn't spend so much money. She wouldn't let you fill her up with advice, though. Hang it ! She won't take that, even from me !" Miss Melbourg hastened to reassure him *' I promise to do or say nothing to which either of you can object. I am so reasonable in my desires, Ralph, that I know you will not refuse me." The good-natured fellow instantly responded that he had no obiection if Nathalie was willing, but that he Still thought the idea a peculiar one. So it was settle^ s Melbourg's sightless eyes were moist. n JtrHA^fOKa OF BLLBN. ""There is much more that I would like to say tC you," she said, " but not to-day. Do not forget that you have made me a promise. And now I will tell you what I find in your face. You have great affection, a sunny disposition, an honest mind and a love of the beautiful. Your light-heartedness may lead you to do thoughtless things, and your love of pretty clothes may make you extravagant, but you would sacrifice much in an emer- gency to aid one you cared for." As she spoke, Edna passed her hands again over Nathalie's features, as if reading one of those books with raised letters which have proved such a boon to the blind. And so, indeed, she was. ** Ralph thinks much of you," she continued, softly, **and I know you will be good to him." Young Melbourg soon returned and shortly afterward drove his cousin back to her Lexington avenue resi- dence. Neither of them spoke until they reached their destination. Then Ralph, who ever since they started had been trying to find words, remarked : " Well, cousin, how do you like her ?" " My dear Ralph," she replied, earnestly, " I like her very much — I like you both very much. But — forgive me for saying it — you seem to me at this moment the wickedest man I have ever known." CONVERSE THE ANARCHIST. 7S CHAPTER VI. CONVERSE, THE ANARCHIST. Trouble was evidently brewing at Riverfall. Myi. terious whisperings were going the rounds among th« employes of the Great Central Corporation. Secret meetings were held, lasting till past midnight. Agent Baker commented upon the strange fact that spinners and weavers who grumbled incessantly at the " long hours" of mill work could sit up so late and still be at their posts at the usual time each morning. But Agent Baker had a theory that mill-hands would grum- ble any way. When the pay was much higher than now they complained with almost equal energy. They always wanted higher wages, or fewer hours, or some- thing else, merely because it was their nature to be dis- satisfied. Even the Canadians were getting to be as bad as the others. Nobody asked them to come to this country, and, if they didn't like the style, why didn't they return to the Dominion ? Many of the other growlers were English and Irish — people who never saw meat in their own countries except at Christmas ! Did any one ever hear of an English or Irish weaver going back? Never. What was the moral, then ? Undoubtedly these people were treated better in America than they ever were before, and much better than they should be. So said Agent Baker, as many good and wise men have said before him, and are still saying. And he did more than say it — he thoroughly believed what he said. There was just one employe of the Great Central Cor. 74 SPEAKING OF ELLEN. poration whom Agent Baker considered worth his notice, aside from the natural interest he might feel in all the necessary adjuncts to the mills under his charge. This employe was Ellen. He had had his eye on Ellen for a long time, had Agent Baker. He came to the mills earlier many a morning to see the Marchioness as she entered the great gate. He walked through one partic- ular room more frequently than any other because she was there. He thought her a very foolish girl to slave her life away over a loom, with that figure of hers. He wondered that she continued year after year to bend her handsome neck over bobbins and shuttles. There were better opportunities for a girl like Ellen, unless Agent Baker was mistaken. And still he was not likely to forget a certain day, some time before our story opens, when he sent for Ellen to come to his private office on a pretended errand in connection with her work. On that occasion, when he finished his reference to the point at issue, he asked her in his most winning tones why a girl of such evi- dently superior endowments had taken up a class of labor for which much less intelligence would suffice. As she at first made him no reply he mistook her silence, and, growing bolder, alluded to her beauty, which he said would adorn a mansion. His meaning became un- wiistakeable, but the agitation he looked for did not appear. He watched her cheek narrowly, and not another drop of blood came to mantle its rich color. Could his victory have been won so easily ? Or, horri- ble thought ! could it be she had already sunk to a point where his words awoke no shame ? She did not leave him long in doubt. Rising with an air that would not have been unworthy of the Great Elizabeth, she CONVERSE, THE ANAROUI*»'»'. 75 looked down at him for a moment, as if from an im- measurable height. " Sir," she enunciated, with a distinctness that was almost painful, " you are incapable of understanding me were I to reply to you in the terms you deserve. I leave you my pity and my scorn !" Agent Baker laughed disagreeably when the door closed behind her, but he did not feel quite comforta- ble. He had talked with " mill-girls" before, and his assistance had transplanted several of his employes from the garrets of Riverfall to more commodious quar- ters in New York, where he had frequent occasion to go on business. He had seen " mill-girls" before, but noth- ing exactly like this. " Ellen has been reading novels, I guess," he said to himself, " and has got hold of a lot of high-flown lan- guage. She will think better of it by-and-by." The Marchioness of Riverfall did not mention this occurrence to any one — not even to Hugh — and. though many noticed the increased haughtiness with which she invariably treated the agent, none suspected its full sig- nificance. The spinners and weavers had come to regard Ellen so highly that the idea of any one, even the cor- poration agent, making improper insinuations to her would have been received with incredulity. To the working people of Riverfall Ellen was more than a com- panion and friend, she was their Queen. Her simple word would quite suffice at any moment to stop every corporation wheel. When a dispute arose between employer and employed, the question first asked was, What does Ellen say ?" Agent Baker did not realize the extent of the "mill- girl's" influence, nor of the affection with which she was regarded. He did not know, what was the undoubted 76 3PEAKINO OF ELLEN„ fact, that even his life would have been in imminent danger had she related to some of her followers all he had said to her. He looked down upon the "mill-hands " with that contempt too often shown by Capital toward the ladder on which it has climbed to opulence. He saw that Ellen had beauty and intelligence. He would have possessed himself of her, if he could, used her for a play- thing till he grew tired of her, and then thrown her aside, as he had others. The world was made for mill-agents and directors, according to the theory of Agent Baker. Mr. Baker had amassed a comfortable fortune, the greater part of which was invested in the mills over which he presided. Ashe had told the directors, he was ready to resign his position should there be another general strike. Many stockholders — as is the custom ot the class — had criticised his management when thej' found their dividends cut off, and he was quite willing to give up the reins at any time. Westland, who repre- sented large interests as trustee, was considered his nat- ural successor, if he would consent to take the place Some of the directors thought a change of agents migh: discourage the intending strikers. The " hands " knew Baker, and realized that he was entirely soulless as far as the making of money was concerned. But Westland's utterances had spread like wildfire. His assertion that he would close the mills for a year, were he agent when another strike occurred — " till the grass grew in the streets," as some quoted it — had made a deep impression. It was one thing to go out of a mill into which they could return at pleasure, and quite another to abandon their work for a twelve-month. These facts were known to the directors, and they began to demand that West- land accept the position at once, in order if possible to CONVERSE. THE ANAJBt^HIST. 77 secure the inauguration of the cut down wlhnut any suspension of labor. Though much interested in the arguments he had heard from Ellen and Hugh, Westland never wavered in the least in his line of action. Me still believed that duty to his wards demanded that all his efforts be di- rected to settling the labor question at Riverfall in a way to best serve the interests of the stockholders. All of his business training had led him into one way of look- ing at such matters. He may almost be said to have inherited his views, for his father had been a life-long trustee before him. He did not desire the agency of the Great Central mills on account of the salary attached, though it was a handsome one. His only object was to protect his clients and others of their class, and he had an idea that a rigorous policy would b^'.st subserve the purpose in the long run. It seemed to birr, that a Waterloo had best be fought, at whatever cost, rather than an interminable series of skirmishes. Before deciding whether to accept the p-f.posal of the directors, be determined to ascertain if the*- were of his own mind in this matter. At one of their Tieetings he put the question squarely before them. If he took the management of their property, would they stand to his £>ack if it became necessary to stop all business for an indefinite time 1 Without a dissenting voice thiiv prom- sed all he asked. Then, and not till then, <\\'l he accept. Agent Baker's resignation was receiv<>i and Agent Westland was elected in his place. The first official act of the new agent was to post, oon- 'jpicuously a statement of the revised list of prices which were to rule on and after November ist. Groups of mtu women and children gathered that night about xhasc !?<>sters and read them through to the closmtr words, ** Bf 78 SPEAKING OP ELLEN. order of the Directors, Philip Westland, Agent. * There were sad looks on most of the faces, but here and there a flashing eye or a set mouth betokened other thoughts. At eight o'clock Ellen, Hugh and the other leaders of the workpeople, met in private council to discuss the situa- tion. " We shall have your friend Westland to fight, it seems," said William Converse, one of the head spinners, to Hugh, as he entered the conference room. " And my ' friend Westland,' too," remarked Ellen, quickly, noticing the inflection that Converse had put jpon the word " friend." "We shall soon see how friendly he is to any of us !" the man retorted, " If all I hear of him is true, he could be no friend of mine !" His manner, though very earnest, was perfectly re- spectful. "We can hardly restrict our personal friendships to those who agree with us on all questions," responded Ellen. " I have met Mr. Westland several times, and I consider him a gentleman. As far as he is a representa- tive of Capital, we may and doubtless shall disagree. It is likely that he will try to carry out the wishes of men whose selfishness weds them to an odious system. In this attempt he will be very firm. We must meet him with equal firmness, but I think we can depend on being treated with perfect courtesy." Converse stamped his foot impatiently. He was a Manchester [Eng.] man who had been born and bred id the atmosphere of the mills. The universal regard foi Ellen's presence rested lighter on him than on any of the others. At times he found it impossible to resist an out- break of feeling. He was practically an anarchist in s^^ OOirSTKESE, THE ANAKOHIST. T0 dment, and thought Ellen's patient methods a poor weapon with which to fight so great an enemy. " Courtesy !" he repeated, with ill-concealed scorn. ** It is not courtesy we want from these fine gentlemen. but justice ! Soft words will buy us no bread. A man who acts as the tool of the rich stockholders who hav* voted to cut the wages of our girls from $5 to $4.25 a week is a monster of whom the world would well be rid. To you he may seem a friend, but to me he is a deadly enemy, and if the right time comes I shall treat him as such !" There was a slight ripple of applause in the room. It was a peculiar collection of faces. Poverty and hard work had written indellible lines on most of them. Ellen and Hugh were, perhaps, the only exceptions. Nearly all wore the clothes in which they came from the mill, but two or three had made a slight attempt to im- prove their appearance. As it was in the middle of the week, unshaven chins were the rule, Sunday being the only time when most of them indulged in the luxury of a razor. Ellen was the only woman present, and among that odd crowd of men her intelligent, handsome coun- tenance looked strangely out of place. "We all know the object of this meeting," she said, quietly, rapping with a lead pencil on the table at which she had seated herself. "You have seen the posters announcing the rates that the corporation proposes to adopt November ist. I think a small committee should be delegated to see if we can get this cut-down re- scinded." A growl from the Manchester man interrupted the speaker. " Have you any suggestion ?" she said, turning ,owardi him. 60 SPEAKING OF EIXE» " Much good your committee will do J" he snarled "We sent one last year, when we had the other trouble, and it only wasted time. My advice is, strike, and have done with it !" A mnrmur of hoarse voices endorsed the sentiment "That's it." "Let us strike at once." "A committee will do no good," and similar expressions were heard. " I agree with you that it will not be likely to have a favorable result," responded Ellen, " but it will have a moral effect on the public, and put us in a better con- dition to win their sympathy." Converse gave a defiant snort. *' I tell you we have had enough of that sort of thing !" he cried. "The public ! What did the public ever do for us? We must teach these mill-owners a lesson they will never forget. They worship but one god — wealth. Let us walk in a body out of the mills. Let us give them a week to restore the old schedule — a schedule shamefully low before this reduction. If they remain deaf to reason, I want to see every edifice they own in ashes ; and, if that will not do, a few of the owners lying dead among the ruins ! Public sympathy ! Committee of conference ! Bah ! Fire and blood is what we want — and the sooner we have it the better !" Not a ripple disturbed the placidity of Ellen's face during the delivery of this impassioned speech. She marked the fiery eye of the Englishman, the scowl, the upraised arm, the fist that struck the table almost hard enough to break it. Then, without comment, she named the members of the committee — Mayfield, Converse, and a spinner named McNamara. But the Englishman re- fused in the most positive manner to serve. •* I will undertake any reasonable errand in this busi- ness," he said, " but I could neither listen nor talk / OONTKBBE, THE JLNAKOHIST. 81 patiently to these blood-suckers. If you make it an order, Ellen, of course I must go, but you will not do that. Put yourself on in my place. If any good can bo •Jone, you would be worth a hundred like me." A general acclamatory expression was heard in favor of the last proposition, and Ellen consented to it reluc- tantly. The next hour was taken up in an informal dis- cussion of the general subject at issue, at the end of which Ellen dismissed the meeting. As all rose to depart, she gave Converse a silent signal to remaia When the door had closed behind the last one of those who were going, she drew the bolt and turned imper- iously to her sole companion. He had the ugly look still on his face. She walked toward him, and stood foi a moment, silent, with folded arms, " How long must I tell you the same things, day after day?" she queried. "Have you no memory whatever ? Now, here is your very last warning. If you again break forth in the way you did to-night I shall decree your dismissal from the council. I have no use for incendi- aries and murderers !" Converse did not quai! before her. His reply wat terribly in earnest : "■ They can kill us! They can burn our hearts out with ill-paid toil t That is all right — but we, we can do noth- ing !" Ellen did not relax her sternness as she answered ; ** You speak like a child — like a very angry child, who has no thought higher than that of revenge on one who nas injured him. We have something of greater moment to accomplish, and must proceed with wisdom, not foolhardiness. Do I not know our wrongs as well as you ? They are branded into my inmost soul ! I have criven my life to studying the remedy ; and I tell you, 82 SPEAKOTQ OF JaJ.^BK. rash msn, that cutting throats and firing buildings wii\ only keep us the longer from the end we seek !" "And so we must continue to bow the knee!" he answered, bitterly. " We must still beg for what we should demand ! We must hear their talk about pei cents, and dividends and market prices, and all that fol- de-rol ! What revolution was ever accomplished by sr.ch methods ? Had you lived in 1773 you would have spared the tea that the Americans threw into Boston Harbor ! In '93 you would have held up your hands in horror at the sweetest sight of all the ages — the stream of aristocratic blood that flowed in the Place Louis XV! In '59 you would have cried " fanatic !" to good John Brown, whose glorious folly unshackled the limbs of millions ! Ellen, you are wrong ! It is my privilege — nay, my duty — to tell you of it here, when we are alone, I tried to curb my tongue in the assembly, but this poison rankles in my blood too deeply. I was born to be a man, and these mill-owners have made me a thing! For sixty-three hours of hard labor I now receive eight dollars ; they mean to reduce it to less then seven ! I am a single man — they have denied me wife and chil- dren — and I could support life on that sum. But when I see the others — the women and the little ones who are forced into the spinning and weaving rooms, toiling beyond their strength — my endurance gives out, and I could throttle one of their oppressors with as little com- punction as I would a wolf who had ravaged my sheep- fold !" " You lack patience — " Ellen began ; but he inter- rupted. "Patience! How long must I be patient? I have worked in mills for tv/enty years. My father worked in them before me. My mother— I heard it from the othet oomrRBSB^ THE ASABcaitn. dS women — hurried home during my first months of life to nurse me in the half hour allotted her at noon, hardly having time or strength left to eat a mouthful of the coarse mid-day meal ! She died early, killed by the owners of that English mill, who rode in their carriages and lived like princes ! Patience ! A few sharp knives, a handful of powder, a bunch of matches, or a pound of dynamite may influence such men, but patience — never!" Ellen did not move an inch from where she stood during this harangue. At times the rounded arms which were interlocked across her breast seemed to press more tightly upon each other, and her full lips shut so closely that the rich color left them, but she gave no other sign. "If you have finished, you may go," she said, with unabated severity. " When you feel that you must make such speeches as this, seek me out and ask a pri- vate audience. But if you again utter such sentiments at a meeting of the council — or among your fellow workmen — you will be dealt with ! I have been chosen your leader. I did not ask nor desire the position, but having accepted it, I will be obeyed I" The Englishman drew the back of his hand across hii forehead, to clear it of perspiration. " Relieve me of my duty at the council, then," he said. ** I cannot refrain from speaking when I hear the things you say." " You can and you shall !" replied the woman, firmly. * I want you and you must remain. You must learn to curb your feelings. I will give you one more trial, li you succeed, I shall have much for you to do. If not^ you know the penalty." The irascible man hesitated a moment to take th# baad which Ellen held out to hioL 84 ePRAKIXO 0¥ ^CLLEB. ** What !" she o-ried. " Do you pause at the formtila ** He leaned over the hand and touched it with his lip& Then he began slowly : *' As I regard and respect — " "Ah !" she exclaimed, impatiently. ** The — commands — " She tried to withdraw the hand from him, but he held it fast and added, quickly : " Of the owner of this hand — may my comrades regctrd ana respect me. As — / — " She snatched the hand from him. " You need not finish a pledge," she si^'d, severely^ ** that comes with such evident reluctance. I will have none but willing followers." " Oh, :^llen !" he cried, in tones of unmistakeable meaning "Why will you always misjudge me! Yot have no f llower who values his life less than I ! Words are empty things, but deeds will tell ! When I am only impetuous you treat me as if I were a mutineer ! I yield to no man or womc tn my devotion to you, and I will try hard to g" e you lo further offence. Let me — oh ! let me — finiih the obhgction !" She grudgingly allowed him to take the hand again^ and he proceeded : ** As I support my comrades, under her direction, so may they support me. My liberty or my life shall be at her pleas- ure if I fail in any respect in my duty" The acrimoniousness had all disappeared from his tone and manner. He uttered the words with the devout appreciation of a Roman Catholic at the Christian altar. "Your vow is accepted," said Ellen, solemnly evi- dently as a part of the same strange ceremony. Then they proceeded to the door together, Converse extinguishing the soiicary liffht OONTEBSE, THE AKABOHOT. 8i • You have little faith in me," he said, sadly, as they passed out. *' No, " she answered. '* I am sorry to say it, bul henceforth it rests with you to strengthen that taitb Good-night." " Good-night." Hugh Mayfield was waiting at the comer, as Ellen knew he would be, and the two friends strolled togethei toward her home. " You are unhappy," said Hugh, after waiting some time to allow her to speak first. " Is it because of Converse ?" She turned her beautiful eyes upon her companion. "No, Hugh, it is because of myself. I have need of Strength, He talked of knives and dynamite, as he has done before." " And you argued with him upon his folly, as you have always done ?" *' Yes ; I argued. I forbade him on the severest pen. alty ever speaking so again in open meeting. But that is not my worst trouble, Hugh. I not only heard his suggestions — / listened to them !" The young man started as he perceived the deep meaning which Ellen gave to these words. " You are nervous to-night," he said. " You do not mean that you embraced his theories. No, I am sure you did not do that !" Ellen drew closer the arm she had passed through Mayfield's. '■^ I listened to him — a thing I never did before! His mother worked in a Manchester mill, and jhe used to go without her dinner in order to nurse him. She died when he was a very little boy. You know how he talks ^rhen he is excited. Well, he talked worse than evei 86 SPSAKDRJ OF EIXEH; and I — I listened. Oh, Hugh ! Could you not pray ion me to-night? I need it very much." He tried to laugh off her nervousness with an attempt at wit, saying he never prayed and never should unti he saw some evidence that God intended to reform. " Don't !" she whispered, looking up at the star-lit sky in a startled way " God cannot utterly have forgotten us. I know it sometimes seems as if he had, but it can- not be." "The capitalists have built him a lot of fine churches lately," said Hugh, ironically, " and thus diverted his attention from poorer folks for awhile. I saw a state- ment the other day that Mr. Million, whose money is all invested in mill-stocks, had given $100,000 toward an ele- gant house of worship in New York. * Generous man f cried the newspapers, like a parcel of parrots. I'd like to get the Almighty's ear just one minute, to tell him that you and I, and old McNamara, and the widow Ran- som's little invalid Maggie helped to earn that money, and that Mr. Million never contributed one cent of it !" Ellen seemed too wrapped in thought to answer, and after a brief silence he added, " When are we to go to meet Mr. Westland ?" " Mr. Westland !" repeated Ellen, in a tone so loud as to astonish her companion. " Why, yes. He is the agent now, you know." " So he is," she said, slowly. " I had forgotten. I will set the time to-morrow." The operatives in her room at the mill remarked the next day that there was an extra paleness on the face of ':he marchioness, and an extra calmness, too ; but they did not know the reason. A BRBS8MAS£K*S APFSKNTICB. 87 CHAPTER VII. A dressmaker's apprentice. Of course Ralph told Westland of the non-success of nis attempt to secure the hand of his cousin, Miss Edna Melbourg. There was very little indeed that he did not tell his ex-guardian and present trustee. He related the full particulars of the conversation that they had in their ride out toward Harlem, and all about the visit that Edna afterwards took to Nathalie. The little French girl, he told Philip, had been much impressed by the affair, and had even gone the next day to a Jesuit father for confession and absolution ; but as the latter depended on a promise to abandon her lover she came home without it. The outward forms of her faith had always been observed by the girl. On a Friday she would have swallowed arsenic as soon as meat, and on certain saints' days she never missed attendance at „he church services. She nearly broke with Ralph one night when he ridiculed her because she persisted in counting her beads longer than usual before coming to bed. She had two or three images and a small crucifix, which money could not have bought. When Ralph taxed her with inconsistency, she retorted that such a criticism came with poor grace from a heretic who had never knelt lo the Virgin, nor partaken of a single communion. All of these things he told to Westland, who laughed at them, not because he cared particularly, one way or the other, but because it was his normal condition to be good- natured. "So Edna refused you," he smiled. "I very much 8S SPEAKING OP ELLKBf. fear you did not use due tact in coming to the point Asking a woman in marriage is very much like buying ij piece of real estate, I imagine, I have heard, too, it seems to me, that they do not always say what they mean. You had best wait awhile and try again." "Oh, Edna meant it fast enough," he replied. "But Ihat is not the worst of it. I don't want her any more than she wants me. I got a little dazzled at the thirty- thousand-a-year, but the minute I got my foot in it I was isorry. If she had accepted me, I don't know what I should have done ! " This announcement amused Westland more than any- thing that had preceded it. Ralph had such a helpless look as he recounted his narrow escape, that the trustee laughed aloud. " You are good for the blues, my boy," he said. *' I think I must get you to go down to Riverfall with me for a week or two. There is going to be a great upheaval there, I expect, and I shall need some one to keep me in spirits. I am living all alone in the big agency building, with no one to speak to except the corporation servants. During business hours I find it all right, but the even mgs are lonesome. Say, Ralph, will you come ?'* The young man hesitated. "Could I—" " No, of course not," said his friend, guessing without much difficulty the question he was about to ask. " What could you do with a girl like Nathalie in Riverfall ? Take her to the Agency ? That would look well, wouldn't it ! Board her out ? The whole village would be talking in twenty-four hours, and the 'White Caps * might visit you. Can't you leave your sweetheart, just for a few days ? " Ralph looked lugubrious. ** Oh, yes, I ^an" h#(said. ** I don't like to, though. It A drersmakek's apprentice. 89 must be deuced dull in Riverfall, and Nathalie would lielp out wonderfully " "It won't be so dull when the strike begins," replied Westland. "On the contrary, it may be too d d Hveiy. I think the biggest struggle ever known in this country is just ahead of us. The operatives are led by a young woman of superior capabilities, whom they will obey like a regiment of soldiers. On the other hand, the directors have given me full powers, and I shall use them." The young man listened with awakening interest. " If there is to be a row I certainly wish to see it,** said he. "But, an idea has just struck me. If these people are so thoroughly under the control of this woman, isn't there an easier way than a shut-down ? Wouldn't it be cheaper to pay her to give her followers a little sensible advice? That has been worked success- fully elsewhere." "You never have seen Ellen, or you would not suggest that," was the serious answer. " I would as soon think of trying to bribe St. Peter to let me pass the gates of Heaven. She has an object higher than mere personal gain. Mistaken as she undoubtedly is, her earnestness admits of no question. She and a committee of the * mill-hands' are to meet me to-morrow evening. You would find it worth your while to be there.'* Ralph thought a moment "I could run down for a couple of days, at any rate," said he, " and then, if necessary, I could return. I'll go and see what Nathalie says." Nathalie sat at one of the windows in her little suite of apartments, idly drumming on the pane with her fingers. When Ralph entered the room she did not move or turn li«r head ; but when he crept softly to her side and laid 09 8PKAKING OF ELLEW. his cheek to hers she threw her arms, with an impulsiv* motion, about his neck. Then, as if betrayed into too deep an expression of affection, she drew back a little, and surveyed his face with a very pretty frown. "Where have you been so long? You told me you would stay but a few minutes." '' Long ! " echoed her admirer, taking out his watch. " It is exactly three hours since I left this room. Are you not able to spare me for three hours ? " " Ah ! But you said a * few minutes '," she pouted. " If you had said * three hours ' I should have known what to expect." He smiled into her face. " And so you want the exact truth, do you ? Well, listen to me. To-morrow I am going away for two whole weeks !" She started violently, and then sat blinking at him with a dazed expression. Presently her eyes filled with tears. " You do not mean it ! " she gasped. " Where could you go for two whole weeks ? There is no place that it takes two weeks to go to. I must go with you, wherever it is. Two — weeks ! " He was so pleased at the evidence that she cared so dearly for him that he could hardly contain himself. It is pleasant to be loved very much indeed, when one is twenty-two. " It is only a little way," said he, " only to Riverfall, but you cannot come. I am invited to Mr. Westland's house — the mill Agency — and there is no place for little girls like you." Then he tried to make her understand all about the impending strike and his desire to please " Phil ; " alsoj. A DSESSMAKEB^R APPRS^mOB. 91 low impossible it was that she could become a member )f the party. But the girl refused to be reconciled. " How can you men pretend to love us and yet use us is you do ? " she cried. "We are good enough to kiss dmi hug ; we can be petted and called pretty names w^hen it suits you ; but if we want to go to any place Adhere people will see us, *Oh, no ! that is impossible !' ( am tired of it ! I would rather go back to Mme. Meliere's and sew on dresses. If you go for two weeks you may as well say ' Good-by.' You will not find me here when you return." Ralph had heard similar threats so often that he did not place too much reliance upon them, but the possi- bility that they might some day be carried out gave him a certain alarm. He did not know what he could do without Nathalie. She seemed as much a part of his existence as his eyes or his hands. He did wish her more reasonable, but he preferred her with all her whims to the awful vacancy that her absence would create. He began to say that he would give up the proposed trip, if it was so distasteful to her. To this she made answer that he could do as he liked ; that it made no difference to her whatever ; that she was tired of a lover who always wanted to leave her; and that he might as well go now and have done with it. In this strain the French girl talked until she had Ralph half distracted. " I wish you would not say such silly things! " he ex- claimed. " You know nothing can ever part us! " " I am not saying silly things," was her answer, and a determined look came to the pretty mouth. "You may go to Riverfall — of course you have a right to go wher- ever you olease — but you will not find me here when yo'i 93 BPEAKING OF ELL8N. return. Go! I do not want you any more. I am very tJred of you! " She went to the bed, threw herself upon it, and hid het face in the pillow. At this, Ralph began to get angry, too. He spoke to her several times and, when she would not answer, cried, dramatically, " Good-by, then; I'm gCK ing, Nathalie! " put on his hat and left the house. The French girl heard his steps as he passed down the Staircase. She lifted her head and laughed quietly. It was so jolly to make him cross ! He always brought home a new bracelet or ring to make up with. The farce had been enacted twenty times before, with substantially the same ending in each case. She went to a window and peeped out of a corner of a curtain upon the street. There he was, walking away as if he never meant to re- turn, without one backward look. The dear fellow — how she loved him! When he came in, she would redouble her caresses. He ought to have known she was only in fun. Leave Ralph! It was inconceivable! She looked at him again. He was turning a corner and walked like a man who had made up his mind. Mon Dieu! If he could have believed her in earnest! Soon the girl crouched on the floor beside the window and began to cry. It was cruel of Ralph to treat her so, when she had been so good and kind to him ! She thought of her life at Mme. Meliere's — the plain food with ordinaire at dinner, the hard bed in the attic. It all seemed well enough at the time, but she did not like the idea of going back to it. No, she would not go there She would accept any work, no matter how poor, before she would let those girls laugh at her. An hour passed, and still she crouched by the window Then a knock was heard at the door. **Come in! " she called, without rising. A DBBSRXAnB'B ▲PPREBTTIOB. 9St The door opened and a young woman in elegant attire entered. It was the sweetheart of young Astorfelt, Miss Annie May. Nathalie had worked herself into such a state that even the pride she would ordinarily have felt before this crushing creature did not come to her rescue. " Why, Nathalie, what is the matter?" The French girl began to cry again. *' He's left me! " she blubbered. "Left you!" cried Annie May. "Again! Kow many times this month does it make ? What an awful baby you are! Say, get up and tell me how you like my new dress. Stunning, don't you think so?" She posed be- fore a long mirror, turning in every direction to get the oest effects. "Cost two hundred dollars. I saw the bill. Is it too short in Iront? Sometimes I think it is and sometimes I can't tell for sure. Of course I want to show my low shoes and robin's eggs. How's that for a trail ? I got out at Twenty-seventh street and walked by the Sl James and Hoffman, just to see the dudes stare! Ha, ha! It was better than a circus! " She turned about again, pressing the dress-skirt closer to her limbs. " I believe it is a little too short, even for the street." Nathalie rose to her knees and took a critical observa- tion. ** No, Annie ; it's just right I wouldn't alter ;t an inch." "I'm awful glad!" cried Annie May, much relieved. "You were a dressmaker's girl, you know, and your judg- ment ought to be good in such matters. J never can tell about a dress, but if it was a bonnet I wouldn't have to ask anybody. I trimmed for two years — only, for good- ness' sake ! don't mention it before Astorfelt — he would fall dead! He is always talking of 'low people who vork for a living.' I rather think he imagines I left a 9% SPEAKING OF ELLEN. palace to live with him. He makes me sick t Does Ralph ever talk that way ?" Nathalie had risen to her feet. In her friend's flow of language she had for the moment forgotten her troubles. Thus reminded of them her tears broke out afresh. " I know he'll never come back !" she sobbed. " It was not like any of the other times. I was cross and wouldn't speak to him and he just said 'Good-by ' and went. No, he never talked high about the poor. He knew all about the place where I used to work. We met in a cafe con- cert. Oh, he's been so good to me, and now I'll nevei see him again !" Annie May's only reply to these sentences, which came jerkily from a quivering mouth, was to laugh boister- ously. " Well, you are the worst baby !" she said good-humor- edly. "One would think Ralph was the only man in the world, to hear you run on. Now, only yesterday, As- torfelt told me his friend Vanderschmidt, who is just out of college, was looking for a girl. He is richer than mud and will give her everything she wants and a iiundred dollars a week of spending money beside. He wants something young. How old are you ?" " Seventeen," sobbed Nathalie. "Just his figure. Now, dry your eyes, put on youi best clothes, get into my carriage and I will take you to see him. I'll wager he'll give you double what you gel from Ralph." Annie May glanced with careless contempt around the apartment. Women of her class, as used the former slaves of the Southern states, often reckoa their own sta- tion by that of their masters. "Come." she continued, as the girl did not move. " Are you going ? You'll never get a better chance He A I»B8SMAKKB^S APPRENTICE. 95 15 Stylish, handsome, pleasant and rich. You and I will have lots of fun together. We will get taken to the the- atre every evening and to a wine supper afterwards. We'll ride behind the best horses that pass the park ^ates. We'll clean out Tiffany's. We'll — " She paused ; for Nathalie, far from going into raptures at the glowing description of the delights ia store for her, had opened a little medallion that hung from a chain about her neck and seemed lost in contemplation of the picture that adorned its interior. Suddenly she lifted it to her lips and kissed it lovingly. " No, Ralph," she said, in a low tone, more to herself than her companion, " I shall never love any man but vou. This picture *' — here she looked up — " is worth more lo me than all the rich lovers in the world !" Annie May laughed louder than before. ** My dear," she said, " that's not professional. It would be worth a great deal in its proper place, but it's wasted on me. Get your things on. I will assist you. 1 wanf you to catch Vanderschmidt before some other beauty has a chance. Of course, if you don't like him, or if you can't agree on terms, you needn't stay." Nathalie kissed the picture again. **I am not fooling, Annie. I do not want him. All my love now is in this little picture." She kissed it again and her friend began to believe she meant it. "If Ralph does not come back, what good will that picture do you ?" asked she, mockingly. "Will it buy you a dinner or settle your laundry bill ?" A look came into Nathalie's face that neither Annie May nor any one else ever saw there before. "Listen," she said softly. "Ralph is the only lover I have ever had. If he returns I will be very good to him 9*6 SPEAKING OF ELLEN. If he does not. no man shall take his plac<_. 1 shall go to work. Yes, you may laugh all you please. I am not a good girl ; I know that ; but I cannot go from lover to lover. Ralph's money was not what tempted me here. I loved him the moment I saw him coming into the door- way of that Bowery cafe. I aid not tell him so — we can- not tell men such things — they would soon become un- bearable. When he asked me to live with him I coul/ not refuse. If he had not been worth a dollar it would have been the same." Annie May pursed up her mouth with an eji-pression that might have meant almost anything. "You are a little fool," she said, kindly, "but how should you know any better? Go and try your work again and see how it pleases you. Put on rough shoes and a calico dress and prick your fingers with needles. Don't forget, though, to pack your good clothes and jewelry where you can reach them easily, for the pawn- shop will have them, one by one. When you are tired of it, if you have any good looks left, come to me and I will find you a market. Not a Vanderschmidt — you will be past that — but some old Dutch grocer or English brewer. To-day you are as pretty as a fairy and you have refused the greatest chance in New York. Seventeen ! I would give anything to be seventeen. With your baby ways I would make my fortune. I am twenty-three ! Oh, they never worship us after our teens are past ! Come here and let me kiss you." Nathalie submitted to the embrace, with unchanged gravity of countenance. "Are you still decided?" asked Annie May. "You will not let me take you to the handsome young mi^ljoo aire ?" ' Well, jECood-by '' ** Good-by," Nathalie when she was alone, he^n to ;)9c}!: thinisrs nto her trunk. She had so many things ana the trunks filled up so fast ! Every article she touched suggested the lover who had left her. Tears fell slowly as s'he pro- ceeded. She held one pair of slippers in her hand foi several minutes. They had long since been discarded for newer ones, but she would n t have sold them for iheir weight in gold. They were the first pair he ever bought her. She remembered the evening he tried them on — it was the second night after she came — and the shoemaker's boy had to run back three times before he got a pair small enough " Such a bab5'''s foot !'* he had exclaimed, kissing tne tinted stocking. And now the baby feet were going away from him ! Every dress had its histor}'^, each piece of jewelry could tell its little story if it but had a tongue. Some he had scolded about buying, but he said so many things no one could tell how much he meant. She recalled how jross he looked once at a bill of $225 for lingerie, and his subsequent assertion that one filmy chemise which she displayed upon her lovely person was worth more than the entire sum. She folded that in with the rest. r«Ione of these garments were suitable for the sphere from whence she came and to which she was about to return. There was a servant who kept the rooms in order. More than one was not needed in a family whose only meal at home was the French rolls and coffee served in bed at eight or nine in the morning. Marie had gone out for the day and Nathalie was glad uf it. The trunks could be taken away before she returned and that wculd I?8 SPEAKING OP ELLBH, be better than explanations. The landlord would kno-vv where to get his rent and Marie was always paid far in advance. Her demands for money were endless ; the visits of a very tall policeman and her want of funds being strikingly contemporaneous. Nathalie worked away, until at last every article that could be jammed into her trunks had been packed. Then she prepared herself for the street, so as to notify an expressman. But where should she send them ? Unti- now she had not thought of that. As she debated the important question of her nex» domicile she thought of Ralph's blind cousin, the lady who had called and talked to her so nicely. *' If you are ever in trouble come to me," she had said. Yes, she would leave a note at Mr. Westland's office, as the lady had advised her. She took out her writing materials and indited the fol- lowing note. She wrote a fairly good hand, but her orthography was a little peculiar. "Deer Ladie : *' You arsked me to rite you in case i was in trubble.> I have fell out with Ralf and want sura good plais to work. Do you no of ennything i could do ,'' I will work hard and be good. I want know more luvvers. " Nathalie. "Leev yure anser at Mr. Westland's and i will call for it." She read the note over carefully, placed it in an envel- ope, and then tried again to decide where she had best go till she could find work. She opened the medallion and looked longingly at the picture. So absorbed was she in this occupation that she did not hear the dooi A DRKSeMAKER'S APPKE^-nOB. 99 open nor realize that anothci person was in the room until she felt an arm stealing around her neck. Thor- oughly startled, she sprang to her feet with a scream. Then, seeing the intruder was Ralph, she threw liersel: into his arms, crying : *' Oh, how you frightened me ! I thought it w:is Mr Vanderschmidt !" " Vanderschmidt !" echoed Ralph, holding her away from him and looking very dark, " You were g<"iing to leave me for him !" he added, as his eyes fell on the full trunks. " This is the woman I have been breaking mj heart over !" " No, no !" cried the girl, clinging to him hysterically. "I thought you had gone for good. Annie May came and tried to get me to go to see Mr. Vanderschmidt, but I would not. She said he would give me all the money I would take, but I did not want him ! I have bta^ so miserable ! I thought I should never see you again !" Ralph did not look satisfied. He had a deep suspicion that the girl was acting a part and until he had m.)re evi- dence on the subject he did not propose to rest ontent with her mere assertions. As he thought the m.atter over, his eye lit on the letter she had just finished and he reached over and took it in his hand. "Oh, please don't read that!" she cried, trying t'^take it from him. For the first time since he had known her, he pushed the girl aside with no gentle motion. He wanted lo see on what terms she had sold herself to his rival. He tore open the envelope and devoured the missive, but it was dll Greek to him. - Nathalie," he said, roughly, taking her by the wrists, •* what does this mean ? To whom were you going to *end this letter ?" 100 SPEAKING OF ELLSM. "To your cousin," she answered, weeping at his vio ience, no less than at the pleasure of seeing him again. " She made me promise to write, if I was ever in need o< a friend," He released her and read the note again. " I will work hard and be good. I want know more luwers." The words sounded honest. He turned again to Nathalie, who stood with her eyes still brimming. "You were going to work !" "Yes." " At what ?" "Anything," " And you preferred that to living with Vanderschm&