Transcriber's note: Unusual and inconsistent spelling is as printed. New original cover art included with this eBook is granted to the public domain. [Illustration: The Wet Sunday.] THE WIDOW DAVIS AND THE YOUNG MILLINERS A Story for Young Ladies. BY THE AUTHOR OF "THE MOTHER'S MISSION," "THE OBJECT OF LIFE," ETC. [_LUCY ELLEN GUERNSEY_] [Illustration] THREE ILLUSTRATIONS. [Illustration] NEW YORK: NELSON & PHILLIPS. CINCINNATI: HITCHCOCK & WALDEN. CONTENTS. [Illustration] CHAPTER I. SUNDAY AFTERNOON AT THE DAVIS COTTAGE II. JANE SAUNDERS SEEKING LIGHT III. OBSTINATE ELLEN IV. BRIGHTER DAYS [Illustration] Illustrations. [Illustration] THE WET SUNDAY JANE SAUNDERS THE YOUNG MILLINERS THE WIDOW DAVIS AND THE YOUNG MILLINERS. [Illustration] CHAPTER I. SUNDAY AFTERNOON AT THE DAVIS COTTAGE. MRS. DAVIS had once filled the situation of assistant teacher in a school, where she had profited by opportunities of instruction; but after a period of prosperity, a succession of trials and losses, followed by widowhood and broken health, had reduced her to extreme poverty. Subsequently her only child, Mary, having, through the kindness of friends, been instructed in the various branches of the millinery and dress-making business, was able to afford material help to her mother, in the little income she earned, and on which they lived in contented obscurity. Mary Davis was employed at the establishment of the chief milliner and dressmaker in her native town, where her steady attendance and never failing industry were greatly valued, and where tolerable regularity in the hours of labor, and an hour snatched from rest, either in the morning or evening, at home, enabled her to minister in many ways to her mother's personal comfort. Sunday was Mary's happiest day; a portion of it was spent in the public worship of God, and the study of his word; a portion in instructing others at the Sunday school; and the remainder in enjoyment of her mother's society.