CHAPTER XXXIII.
A NEW HOME.
Dainty dragged herself slowly along the snowy street, almost exhaustedby the weight of the hand-bag; and she wondered pathetically if it mightnot be best to follow her mother's example, and seek refuge from life'swoes by the straight gate of death?
"Dear mother, if I only knew where to find the lonely grave wherestrangers laid you, I would stretch myself upon it and die!" she sobbed,the tears in her cheeks mixing with the melting snow, as it flew intoher pale face, driven by the bleak December gale.
She crept presently into a quiet area-way, and somewhat sheltered fromthe driving storm, pondered on what she was to do now, without friendsand without money, in a cold, suspicious world.
Presently she heard girlish chatter and tittering, and glancing througha window, saw several young girls busy at sewing-machines, directed byan angular spinster whom she took to be a dress-maker.
A sudden temptation seized her, and she rapped timidly on the basementdoor, bringing the spinster hurriedly to it.
"Do you want a dress made?" she inquired, glancing at Dainty's hand-bag.
"No, madame. I am in search of work. Do you wish another hand to sew?"faltered Dainty.
"Um! yes--I don't know. Bring in your valise, and let us talk it over;"ushering her into a tiny, cozy kitchen, where they could talk inprivate.
"Now, then, what's your name, and how came you out hunting work in theface of such weather? Tell the truth," she said, suspiciously; andDainty obeyed.
"I have been employed to help nurse some children, and was dischargedto-day. My name is Miss Chase."
"Did you bring a recommendation?" sharply.
"No, ma'am; but I think I can refer you to Miss Ailsa Scott, on thissame street. It was her mother's children I was nursing; but the fathersent me away."
"I know Mr. Sparks. Why did he send you away?"
"I would rather not tell."
"Then I can not give you work!" curtly.
"Oh, madame, I am ashamed to tell you! The man wanted to marry me, andhis poor wife dead but a few months! I refused with scorn, and he droveme away," the girl answered, wearily.
"Humph! I can't see what he wanted with a chit like you for a wife," thespinster returned, tossing her false frizzes disparagingly, and adding:"I do need another hand, but the pay is too much. I can not afford it."
"Oh, madame, I would work for my board awhile, if you will let me stayhere!" pleaded Dainty, eagerly; and the woman answered:
"I don't know but that would suit me very well. I live here by myself,all the girls going home in the evenings. You may take off your things,and I'll get some work ready for you. But, mind, I'll call on AilsaScott to-night, and unless you have spoken the truth, out you go in themorning."
"I have only spoken the truth, madame," Dainty sighed, as she obeyed thecommands, and soon found herself seated among the busy sewing girls,basting away on a ruffle, and thanking God in her heart for even thispoor shelter that must be paid for with constant toil.
The girls all seemed to be gay enough, in spite of their poverty; butDainty, poor, nervous girl, was glad when they went away at sunset, andleft her alone with Miss White, as she found the name of her employer tobe.
The spinster was not more than forty, and rather good-looking, in spiteof her angularity. She asked Dainty many questions about Sparks,betraying quite a lively interest in the widower; and by and by shedressed herself smartly in a black silk gown and red bonnet, and wentoff to get Dainty's character from Ailsa Scott, leaving the girl alonein the house, save for some tenants in the upper part.
Dainty was very tired and sad; but she washed the tea-things and putthem away, and lay down on the lounge in the sewing-room, with a sigh ofrelief at the chance to rest.