Girl from Montana

Excerpt: ...coaxed the wheedling tones. "You look so tired, and I've some girls of my own. I know you would enjoy resting and talking with them." The kindness in her tones touched the weary girl. Her pride had been stung to the quick by the haughty woman in the school. This woman would soothe her with kindness. "Do you live far from here?" asked Elizabeth. "Only two or three blocks," said the woman. "You ride along by the sidewalk, and we can talk. Where are you going? You look as if you had come a long distance." "Yes," said the girl wearily, "from Montana. I am going to school. Is this Philadelphia?" "This is Chicago," said the woman. "There are finer schools here than in Philadelphia. If you like to come and stay at my house awhile, I will see about getting you into a school." "Is it hard work to get people into schools?" asked the girl wonderingly. "I thought they would want people to teach." "No, it's very hard," said the lying woman; "but I think I know a school where I can get you in. Where are your folks? Are they in Montana?" "They are all dead," said Elizabeth, "and I have come away to school." "Poor child!" said the woman glibly. "Come right home with me, and I'll take care of you. I know a nice way you can earn your living, and then you can study if you like. But you're quite big to go to school. It seems to me you could have a good time without that. You are a very pretty girl; do you know it? You only need pretty clothes to make you a beauty. If you come with me, I will let you earn some beautiful new clothes." "You are very kind," said the girl gravely. "I do need new clothes; and, if I could earn them, that would be all the better." She did not quite like the woman; yet of course that was foolish. After a few more turns they stopped in front of a tall brick building...