Aunt Jane's Nieces at Work

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Once in her room with the strange maid, Louise locked the door quietly

and said to her companion with a cheerful smile:

"Now we are quite alone, and can talk at our ease. Take that low chair,

dear, and I'll sit here."

Eliza obeyed, looking wistfully into the fair face of her new friend.

"You are very pretty, Eliza; and I'm sure you are as good as you're

pretty," announced Louise. "So you must tell me about yourself, and

whether you are happy here or not. From this time on I'm going to be

your friend, you know, and keep all your secrets; and I'll help you all

I can."

This rambling speech seemed to impress Eliza favorably. She relaxed

somewhat from the tense alertness that was habitual with her, and looked

at the other girl with a softened expression.

"I'm afraid you won't be much interested in me," she replied, "but I

need a friend--indeed I need a friend, Miss Louise!"

"I'm sure you do."

"At first I thought I could do without one. I felt I must stand alone,

and let no one suspect. But--I'm getting puzzled and bewildered, and I

don't know what to do next."

"Of course not. Tell me about it, dear."

"I can't; for I don't know, myself." She leaned forward in her chair and

added, in a whisper: "I don't even know who I am! But that man," with a

shudder, "tried to trap me. He said he knew Eliza Parsons, and there is

no Eliza Parsons. It's a name I--I invented."

"I think I understand," said Louise, with a little nod. "You had to have

a name, so you took that one."

"Yes. I don't know why I am telling you this. I've tried to hide it all

so carefully. And perhaps I'm wrong in letting this thing worry me. In

the main, I've been very happy and content, lately; and--I have a

feeling I was not happy before--before--"

"Before what, dear?"

The girl looked at her steadily and her face grew red.

"Before I lost my memory."

For a few moments they sat silently regarding one another, the

expressive features of Louise showing a silent sympathy.

"Have you really lost your memory?

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