As Many as Touched Him by Eglanton Thorne

IN the evening of the same day, Ellen and Julia were alone in the work-room, Miss Mansfield having gone out to take an order. She had not neglected to leave the girls plenty to do in her absence; but Julia, being in an idle mood, soon dropped her work, and began to amuse herself by inspecting the various articles of attire, some almost finished, others but just commenced, with which the apartment was littered.

Ellen was trying hard to get her task finished by Miss Mansfield's return, although she could not help having her attention somewhat distracted by her companion's proceedings, especially when she began to deck herself in one of the garments, an action which would have provoked Miss Mansfield's severest displeasure had she known of it. After a time, however, Julia wearied of this diversion, and bethought her of another.

"Did you see the muslins that were sent for that wedding order, Ellen? " she asked.

"I did not look at them," Ellen replied. "Aunt unpacked them herself, and placed them in the show-room. The ladies are coming to see them to-morrow, I believe."

"I say, Ellen, I vote you and I have a look at them now," exclaimed Julia.

"Oh, no, we must not do that," returned Ellen. "And indeed we cannot, for aunt always locks up the show-room before she goes out."

"Of course she does," said Julia, "but she does not take the key with her."

"How do you know that? " asked Ellen, in surprise.

"Because I happened to see her put it in here," replied Julia, opening a drawer as she spoke, and displaying the key to Ellen's astonished eyes. "Now, come along, Ellen; let's make a voyage of discovery."

"Oh, Julia! We had better not go downstairs," remonstrated Ellen. "Aunt may return at any moment, and she would be so angry if she found us there."

"Nonsense! She won't be here for another hour, I'm quite certain," answered Julia. "I want to see those dresses, if you don't, Ellen; so I shall go down."

So saying, Julia proceeded to light a candle which stood at hand.

"Oh, what would aunt say if she could see you? " exclaimed Ellen. "You know she never lets any one but herself go into that room with a candle."

"Well, she won't see me," observed Julia, coolly, "and I can carry a candle as well as she can. Really, Ellen, you are looking quite frightened. What simple things you country girls are!"

There was nothing annoyed Ellen so much as to be thus taunted with being a country girl. It was foolish of her to mind it, but she did. She coloured as Julia spoke, and exclaimed pettishly, "I am sure I am not at all frightened, so you are mistaken for once in your opinion of country girls."

"Then you should not act as if you were," retorted Julia. "Come along with me, and look at those muslins, if you are not afraid."

Ellen hesitated, and felt unwilling to go, but the fear of Julia's ridicule overcame her better judgment, and she followed her downstairs.

The girls entered the front room, which was reserved for the reception of customers, and where were displayed sundry patterns, trimmings, and dress materials. On the chintz-covered sofa lay several pieces of delicate muslin, whose beauty called forth strong expressions of admiration from Julia as she bent down to examine them, holding the candle so dangerously close as to excite Ellen's fears.

"Do be careful how you hold that candle, Julia! " she exclaimed.

But Julia seemed desirous to frighten Ellen as much as possible, for the only effect of her remonstrance was that the candle was held more carelessly than before. Julia was holding it thus, when they were suddenly startled by Miss Mansfield's loud knock at the door. Both jumped at the sound, and in her fright, the candle fell from Julia's hand on to the heap of muslins. Instantly the gauzy material took fire, and the flame rapidly mounting caught Ellen's apron, and in a moment, she was in flames.