Lurana Sheldon

“ If our fellow-boarders knew who we were they would probably snub us!”
“Well,” cried her noble sister, scornfully, “I should not care for that. We have done no wrong, why should we be scorned by them?”
“It is the way of the world, I guess,” said Dollie, sadly, “for even my own father and mother condemned me before they knew I was guilty.”
“Oh, just hear this!” cried Marion, who had picked up the evening paper; “poor Mr. Ray’s father was buried to-day! The grief has killed him! And what do you think, Miss Ada Ray’s lover has thrown her over, and all on account of her sister’s misfortunes! ”

“ Dollie looked at the programme that Marion held out to her.
“Signorita Ila de Pailoa,” she read, in an amused voice. “What a terrible name! And what a lot of deceit! Why in the world couldn’t he have called you just plain Marion Marlowe?”
“Oh, that wouldn’t do at all! He explained it to me,” said Marion, a little dubiously. “The public insist upon having foreigners, so he is obliged to fool them. And, besides, Dollie, my name would not suit for another reason—I’m only a country girl, who has had her name in all the papers.”
“You have, indeed, but it was always as a heroine!” ”

“ I feel that there is something else besides the mortgage that is worrying Silas.”
“I was surprised that he should ask me to marry him,” said Dollie, sadly. “Men like father and Silas are always unforgiving where women are concerned.”
Marion looked at her tenderly. “Never mind about them, little sister,” she said very softly. “There is sadness and sorrow enough, Heaven knows. I only hope that we may some day find some one to love and to love us.” ”

“ The girls ate their supper with saddened hearts. They were sorrowing for Miss Ray and her noble brother, as well as worrying over the fate which must soon overtake their own father and mother.
“I can’t bear to think of their losing the farm,” Marion said over and over, with tears in her eyes. “Mother is such a weak, helpless woman and father is so old. Oh! it makes my blood boil to think of it, and yet I cannot help it!”
“Father can hardly expect us to help him,” said Dollie, sadly. “He has never written us once, nor will he allow mother to do so. ”

“ Ray glanced lovingly at his sister. Miss Ray was talking with Dollie and had not heard their words, but she came over and joined them before Marion could answer.
“My poor sister Ada is heartbroken,” she said, sadly. “Just think! She has lost her lover, and all through me. I feel terribly about it, and yet I think she is lucky.”
“She is indeed!” said her brother, promptly, “I can’t imagine a fellow being such a cad as to throw over a sweet girl just because of something unpleasant in the life of her sister.” ”

“ A victory over one’s self is better than “sticking out” a foolish quarrel. It is far more womanly to forgive than not to if there is no real cause for anger, and to say “I was mistaken” is simply to say, “I am wiser to-day than yesterday.” Your lover will probably value your sweetness of disposition more if you make the first advances towards reconciliation. A foolish resolution cannot be too quickly broken, but Grace Shirley’s best advice is to try and avoid quarrels hereafter by both of you giving in a little at the start. ”

“ At ten o’clock promptly the two young men left, with Dollie and Mr. Moore more in love than ever.
“I think he is quite the nicest young man I ever saw,” said Dollie, candidly. “Don’t you think so, yourself? Now be honest, Marion.”
“He is very nice,” said Marion, quietly, “but I’m almost afraid he is a little wild, not a bit like Mr. Ray who is so steady and settled.”
“Pooh,” said Dollie, laughing. “I’m glad he is a little gay. I’d awfully hate to have a pokey man around. I’d rather they’d be wild so long as they are not wicked.” ”

“ There’s a young man whom I know who might object, Miss Dollie.”
Dollie blushed as she was reminded so broadly of her sweetheart, and Marion explained to Bert the whole situation.
“He’s a noble fellow! I don’t much care what he did!” cried Bert in admiration; “I’d steal, too, if it was to keep you girls from starving, and I think a man is a cad who says he wouldn’t!”
“Oh, Bert! That isn’t right!” said Marion, firmly. “Of course, we forgive him, but, oh, he shouldn’t have done it! It is awful to steal from any motive! I shall give him every penny of my hundred dollars.” ”

“ One by one the roomers had been hurried out by the firemen, one of them carrying Dollie in his arms down the stairs and depositing her safely on the pavement.
“My sister! Oh, my sister!” shrieked Dollie, shrilly. “Oh, save my sister Marion and dear Miss Allyn!”
“Where are they?” asked a fireman who had heard her cry.
“Third floor, back,” answered Dollie in an agonized whisper.
The fireman shook his head.
“No use,” he muttered sadly. “The rear is gutted. If it was front we might save them.” ”

“ Now if I could only get a job I’d be all right,” he said, cheerfully, “unless the Poor Farm people keep on chasing me around the city.”
“They are mighty interested in you, Bert,” said Dollie, slowly. “Other boys have run away and they did not chase them.”
“That’s just it,” said Bert, quickly. “Matt Jenkins is scared to death. He’s lost so many boys that he’ll lose his job next, that is why he is trying so hard to find some of his truants.”
Marion had put the bread and milk on the table, making a place for Bert, and as they all ate their frugal meal she glanced over the evening paper. ”

“ The man who loves you truly will never allow you to be a slave either to his mother or any one else. If his mother is an invalid, let him hire a nurse for her. A woman has quite enough to do to care for herself and her husband without looking out for any of his or her relatives. Too many homes have been spoiled already by these methods.
Talk to your lover kindly but decidedly, and let him understand your feelings exactly. If he says you do not love him you may depend upon it he is selfish. Ask him if he would be willing to do the same if the invalid was your mother. ”

“ I’m better acquainted with your boarders than you think, perhaps. Do you want me to tell you the class of people you are harboring?”
Mrs. Garvin’s red face grew paler as she listened, but she was too thoroughly angry to think of being prudent.
“There’s no one in my house but honest people,” she began, but Miss Allyn stopped her with an imperious gesture.
“There’s one detective, one rogue and one sneak thief,” she said quietly, “besides an actor, two actresses and a red-headed grass widow. Not that I blame her hair, Mrs. Garvin. I’d turn pale, too, if I was in such close company to the widow.” ”

“ Ray this week,” said Dollie. “The poor old father, he must have been over-sensitive, for if his daughter was innocent he should not have grieved so. As for that fellow who professed to be a lover, why, he must have been a good-for-nothing to do a thing like that. She’s lucky to be rid of him!” she added, with unusual spirit.
But Marion was walking the floor in a perfect frenzy of indignation. ”

“ I wish I could meet a few girls like Marion Marlowe, but, alas! they do not often grow behind dry goods counters! Some of the girls I meet are nearly all very coarse in their manners, and a few of them are positively vulgar. Why is it that the girls or so many of them who work in the big stores are so dreadfully rude and use such shocking language? ”

“ We are only simple country girls, we do not wish to be stared at as curiosities.”
“Oh, I guess you ain’t so simple as you look,” sneered the woman. “Girls that run away from home with city chaps ain’t so very simple, or innocent either.”
“Hush!” cried Marion, sternly, “not another word, madam! You are talking about something which you do not understand! This is my room, and I insist upon being treated with courtesy.”
Marion’s cheeks glowed like fire as she glared back at the woman. For Dollie’s sake she would as readily have confronted the very demon of evil himself. ”

“ We think that you are probably over-jealous, and that your husband only fulfills the requirements of society in making himself agreeable to the women he meets. You should do exactly the same as he does—make the most of others’ company when you meet them at any social function, and be more than happy when you and your husband are alone together and can exchange those mutual loving confidences that are so gratifying. ”

“ A BOARDING-HOUSE EXPERIENCE.
“How much money have we left, Marion?”
“Nine dollars and seventy-five cents, but don’t worry, sister! We’ll obtain more from somewhere, I’m sure. We cannot certainly be going to starve in a great big city, full, as it is, of wealth and happiness!”
Dollie Marlowe sighed disconsolately. She was not so hopeful as her sister Marion.
The two girls were seated in a top floor room of a cheap boarding-house, where they had gone only a day or two after Dollie’s rescue from the clutches of Professor Dabroski, the hypnotist, who had abducted her from her home in the country. ”

“ As a burly policeman rushed up to her, Marion pointed in the direction of the fleeing men.
“They tried to assault me—do catch them, officer,” she cried. “One is Emile Vorse, who is wanted at headquarters!”
Like a flash the officer was after his quarry, giving three short raps on the sidewalk with his night-stick as he ran, to summon assistance.
Marion explained the situation to a small crowd of men and boys who had gathered, and they promptly started off to help the policeman.
As quickly as possible Marion hurried home and retired. ”

“ We have seen whole families lean for mental, moral and financial support upon some “old maid aunt” or sister. The woman who has “hoed her own row” deserves the sympathy, admiration and respect of the entire universe. When she does marry she will be to her husband a “pearl beyond price,” a helpmeet and companion whose value is inestimable.
“I am very much distressed over what you may deem a trifling matter; nevertheless, I am coming to you for advice, my dear Miss Shirley. ”

“ In the first place, Lizzie, we would suggest that you speak of yourself as a young girl, not as a “young lady.” No girl can be a “lady” who ignores her mother’s sensible advice. You certainly should go to school for several years longer. You are entirely too young to think of marrying. Your mother was probably a far wiser girl at your age than you are. Try to develop your character and learn as much as you can. When you are twenty years of age you will make a far better choice of a husband than you can possibly do now. ”

“ Miss Ray had confided to her that she had been entrapped through a mock marriage and only remained quiet for the sake of her family, but Marion had induced her to run away, and the young woman was now safe in the bosom of her family.
After this experience came the rescue of Dollie from her abductor, and then, without funds or friends, the girls took up their brave [2] struggle for existence in a city which shows but little mercy to the poor or the unfortunate. ”