Nell of Shorne Mills

It was a moment or two before Nell's burning eyes could accomplish the

task of deciphering the lines of handwriting which seemed to have been

formed by a paralytic spider that had fallen into the ink and scrambled

spasmodically across the paper. There was no need to tell her to read

slowly, and she stumbled over every other word of the letter, which ran

thus:

"MY DEAR SOPHIA: You will doubtless be surprised at hearing from me,

and, indeed, I should not have written, for, as you are aware, my time

is fully occupied with public affairs, and I rarely write private

letters; but I have promised Lady Wolfer to communicate with you

directly, as, for obvious reasons, which you will presently see, she

does not desire my secretary to know of the proposal which I am about

to make you; as, in the event of your declining the proposition, there

would be no need for the fact of its having been made to become the

common knowledge of my household and the servants' hall. As you are

doubtless aware, by reading the public prints, Lady Wolfer takes a great

interest and a prominent part in the movement which is being made toward

the amelioration of the position of woman; indeed, I may say, with

pardonable pride, that she is one of the great leaders in this social

revolution, which, we trust, will place woman upon the throne from which

man has hitherto thrust her.

"This being so, Lady Wolfer's time is, as you will readily understand,

much absorbed; so completely, indeed, that she is unable to pay any

attention to those smaller and meaner; household cares to which women

less highly gifted very properly devote so much of their time. Having no

daughter of our own, it occurred to us that it might, perhaps, be a

beneficial arrangement for your stepdaughter, Miss Lorton, if she would

come to us and render Lady Wolfer such assistance as is afforded by the

ordinary housekeeper. You will say: Why not engage a duly qualified

person for the post? I reply: We have done so, and do not find the

ordinary person, though apparently duly qualified, satisfactory. Lady

Wolfer is of an extremely sensitive and delicate organization, and it is

absolutely necessary that the person with whom she would be brought in

daily contact should be young and docile.

"I have referred to the photograph of Miss Lorton which you were good

enough to send me some months ago, and you will be pleased to hear that

Lady Wolfer approves of the young lady's personal appearance. I take it

for granted--you, her guardian, being a Wolfer--that she has been

properly trained; and if she should be willing to come to us on what is

termed a month's trial, we shall be very pleased to receive her. She may

come at any moment, and without any notice beyond a mere telegram. I

will not speak of the advantages accruing from such a position as that

which she would hold, for I am quite sure you will be duly sensible of

them, and will point them out to her.