Gratia's Trials — page 74: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

sie : GRATIA’S TRIALS. 65 In answer, Gratia presented the letter of introduction she had received from her friend, Hannah Ingram. ‘‘Mary Ann has gone away ; she wasto be married to-mor- row,” said the womari. ‘‘ Shall I read the letter 2?” ‘‘ If you please, ma'am,” said Gratia, dejectedly. ‘*It zs too bad,” she said, after reading the words in which Hannah recommended the young stranger to her relative. ‘* But, you see, this notice of going to Europe was very sudden —Mrs. Walbridge only determined on it a week ago—and, of course, we shut up the house while we're gone, and my daugh- ter—she’s married to the gardener—lives in one of the base- ment rooms, and keeps an eye on things. ‘here wouldn’t be no place for you, fixit how you would. I wouldn't cry so, though ; /Aa¢ won't mend matters.” ‘‘But I cannot help it,” sobbed Gratia. ‘‘I was so certain of finding a home here.” ‘©T know of a good place you could get, as assistant cham- bermaid at the Ocean Wave Hotel, if I choose to give you my recommendation. You would have plenty to do, but then you would get good wages for it.” | ‘‘T would always. be grateful to you,” murmured Gratia, her eyes speaking more eloquently than did her voice, At about nine o'clock Gratia accompanied the old woman in a moonlight walk along the shore to the Ocean Wave Hotel, where Mrs. Burket presented her to the favorable consideration of Miss Lavinia Peckering, the housekeeper. The upshot of their deliberations was that Gratia Kempfield was formally installed next morning as one of the numerous staff of chambermaids in the Ocean Wave Hotel at Long Branch. —— ee © oe Gomichooks (e @)