MILDRED'S BARGAIN.
A Story for Girls.
BY MRS. JOHN LILLIE.
Chapter IV.
Mildred thought she had never seen anything finer than the beautiful hall and staircase at Miss Jenner's. She scarcely felt her foot fall on the rich dark carpets as she made her way up stairs into a beautiful old-fashioned room where half a dozen young people were congregated, laying aside their wraps. They were talking and laughing gayly, and Mildred recognized them as the daughters of the "leading people" in Milltown—girls about her own age or a little younger, to whom she had constantly sold ribbons or laces, or the "newest thing" in mantles. Poor Milly felt the pink coloring all her face, as she stood among them, some way feeling shut out. She was not old enough nor wise enough to realize the honorable side of her own life and its hard work; she thought only of what their feelings would be were they to recognize in her one of "Hardman's" girls. But as no one knew her, two or three whispered together, wondering who the pretty lady-like stranger could be, and as they all went down the oak stairs together, one of the girls spoke to her in a friendly, good-humored way. Milly was glad of company as she found herself at the door of the long, beautiful room in which Miss Jenner stood waiting for her young friends. The eyes of the poor little "sales-woman" were dazzled by the quiet elegance of the room—the many pictures, the statuary, and articles of virtu from many lands. Milly forgot even her fright and her intense consciousness of her gray silk in her pleasure at these novel sights.
"So you found your way here, Mildred," Miss Jenner said, in her brusque though kindly voice. "Well, I'm glad to see you. Now come and let me introduce you to my niece, for this is her company."
Mildred found herself following Miss Jenner into a pretty half-shaded room at the end of the parlor. A young girl of about fifteen, very slight and delicate, but exceedingly pretty, was seated there, with one or two young people near her.
"Alice," said Miss Jenner, using a tone so soft that Mildred could not believe it was her new friend's voice, "this is Mildred Lee: I want you to make great friends with her."
The young girl stretched out a slim hand with something uncertain in her gesture. As Mildred took it, Miss Jenner whispered, with a deep sigh, "She is blind."
Mildred felt full of compassion for the poor young girl, who, surrounded by so much that was beautiful, could see and understand nothing of it; but she speedily found that Alice Jenner took the keenest delight in conversation. As they were left by themselves half an hour, Mildred found it a pleasant task to entertain her. She described for her amusement the little company, the dresses, the effect of everything, finally drifting into her own affairs, and avowing her position at Mr. Hardman's. Alice listened with delight; Milly's life was so different from hers.