The south-western. [volume] (Shreveport, La.) 1852-1870, 1857-06-17

eAceeulnSly. flteen dollaTS would Just Duy
it, and pay for the trimming and making. 1t
would look so pretty at the party.
But then that arm chair for her mother!
what should she do? Very quietly and de-
murely she ate her supper, glancing now and
then at the pale cheek Of her mother, and at
the little wooden rocking chair, which she usu-
ally occupied. A great warfare was going OH
in her mind. But at length it came to an end
She had decided.
Briskly and merrily she pared apples all the
evening for pies to be made the next morning
by Kate, thinking, within herself, that after all
it didn't make much difference wnat Rose Lin
coin said. She would do up her muslin as
nice as possible, and wear pretty blue sash,
she could easily darn a hole or two in the skirt,
and that arm chair would be SO easy for moth
er. She would order it on her way to school,
the next morning, without saying word about
it at home. 1t would be such pleasant sur
prise to them.
And so. in truth it was, wlten the drayman
came next day with cushioned easy chair,
spirit of her daughter, as she sank into its easy
depths.
at seems like old times, doesn't it?'' cried
hdle Ileilily YOU Iooh DIS coHioiestDle DIS q
bird in nest, mamma And she wheeled
the chair to the window, and handed her rmoth-
er her knitting. "But then that dress! Iwish
we were rlch.''
A light smile and tender caress greeted
Alice upon her return and she felt richly re-
warded for her sacrifice. She had passed the
blue silk bravely by, on the way to the furni-
ture store, trying not to look at it, but utsomehow
she had seen it, and itdid look pretty.
ssAlce,' said Kate, II am going to see Jes-
sic Blake for while, and | will stop at the
postofice coming back. Perhaps therl be a
letter for you, from that editor to whom you
sent that long story. 1t will bea shame if lie
don't pay you for it." and she danced off.
ut twas SO kind in you, Alice dear said Mrs
Ray, when they were alone, my precious one.
Alice thought as she felt her mothers teal
upon her check, that she wouldn't have that
chair back in the store again for all the silk
dresses in the world.
GA letter for you Alice, sure enough" said
Kate, bounding in.
Alice tore open the envelope, and unfolded
the sheet; as she did something fell upon the
carpet. Kate picked it up:
''Well | declare! a five and ten-as sure
as my name is Kate. Look here, A!ie." 81
Alice looked up with a. a.bcaming face. +
was letter accepting her story, with reques
for another, and as he said, with sligl re
muneration.'
'Yo on can have the silk, after all, - exclaim
ed Kate, clappng her hands, .'and that Rose
Lincoln will be eclipsed for once
Alice glanced at her mother, her own eyes
were full. Look, mother! he wants some
stories from me, and he will pay me-
Mrs. Ray only pressed her daughters hand
The blue silk was transferred from the store
window of Mr. Smith, to.the pretty figure o
sweet Alice Ray; and not even Rose Lincoln
could repress a start of admiration, as she en-,
tered the pa1lor of Mrs Foster, upon the event
full evening. She did look like little fairy
with her soft curls, shadowing her neck white
as a snow flake, and her long lashes dropping
over cheeks like blushing roses.
"That's my old love, Alice Ray" mutteret
Mr.. Charles Foster. ''Why, she is as beauti
full as a Per-changed, though,' he thought
as he met the graceful but rather distant salu
tation of the little lady.
| "What noble fellow Charles has grown t.
be'' thought Alice, s.more reserved than h
used to be, though. Guess he's forgotten th
old shilling that we broke between US long ago
How handsome Rose looks to night The,
seem to be talking very earnestly and sh
turned at the saIutalion of young DR.. Grey
son, and accepted his arm for promenade.
"Who is that young fellow?" said Charles
with look of great disgust at the gentleman
in question.
THAT fel low, Mr.. Foster, is quite promi
nent physician, and great admlrer of Allc
Ray" said Rose laughing maliciously.
"Puppy," thought Charles, "what tight ha
he to monopoise her all the evening! Pretti
est girl in the room, decidedly. Wonder if sh
has forgotten old times?'
He seemed determined that she should no
forget them at any rate, if we might Judge b,
his conduct. He not only tried to obtain seve
raj confidential conversations with the brow
eyed Alice, but even succeeded in gallantin!
her home, against score of applicants for tn
honor,
Not having been with them during that star
light walk, we couldn't presume to guess wha
the two were talking about to keep them s
long5on the road. TO be sure, Kate was lit
tie surprised to find Alice delnurely meditatln!
over the half of an old shilling, which she hell
in her hand the next morning; and the llttl
room looking so costly and comfortable will
its easy chair, had frequently,in fact very fire.
quently, the honor of visit from a certain
Young gentleman, whom Kate pronounced tn
:.sauciest, handsomest fellow in all the countr.
round, = but of whom Alice seldom spoke.
The blue silk was often donned on Sunday
and very pretty and becoming Kate though 1t
| I But by and by, when autumn began TO fling
its many colored robes over the trees, Allc'
wore again white muslin dress-but not tht
Eold one. And there were orange flowers nest
ling among the soft curls of her brown hair
and bushes coming and going beneath thos'
dropping lids. 1t was in the villaga church
too, that she wore it--but not on Sunday. Ane
pretty as she looked, the noble man at her sid
looked quite as handsome, with his proud an(
beaming face.
And the village school had to find anothe
mistress, and Alice, Charles Fosters girlisl
bride, became mistress of noble mansion, il
which Kate and her mother, and that dear ole
arm chair found happy, blithesome home,
Still, now and then, the blue silk dress i
donned, never failing to elicit the most intense
admiration from Charlie, who considers himsel
the happiest fellow in the world to have woI
so sweet bride as gentle Alice Ray.