Civilian & telegraph. [volume] (Cumberland, Md.) 1859-1875, 1865-03-23


set of rosc-coral, and here it was. ready to
her hand. But Nina Pelham was women
of the world. and understood the contemplate
art of making "a good bargain" So she
wisely repressed her sxstacics. and, asked with
cold indifference: .....I -...f
How much do you expect to receive for
them. Anna Whartonf" .e! .r..,..
g Pspa gave eighty dollars for them in
Itlay, and they arc as good as ever"
Nina shrugged her shoulders. a.
"Of course you can't expect to get twcn-
ticth part of that price for them now"
Nina Pelham. said Anna Wharton, firm
ly. II am at your mercy in this mattrr.
Whatever you may please to give must ac-
cept, for | am stratened by necessity Name
price at once--but, Nina remember that you
are rich and am poor" D.. ..r .... .
| shall give you FIVE dollars. and not
another cent" said Nina. COMPRISING her
lips. ..I. .....t-. .-r.t..
Five dollars !" s 81
And Anna Wharton thought. with a sink
ing heart Of the numberless little dainties she
had fondly hoped to buy for her rick brother
from the proceeds Of these delicate ornaments
"Just as you please" observed Nina,
coldly, :" only purchase them out of charity
to you" ..... .n..
Anna silently placed the ornament on the
talle beside Miss Pelham, and held out thin
hand, that woua trcn,ble little in spite of
her effort at seif-control. for the money
Nina drew out her small silver port monnac.
and extracted thcrefrom crumbled bank bill
which she cody handed to Miss Wharton
And they parted--Anna, in her scan,y much
worn garments and aching heart to face the
cutting wind, and Nina. t lounge in cashmere
and satin, before The genial fire. ....
"Wbat exquisite corals could not buy
them f Lundr d dollars" was Ninu's cx-
camaiion, the moment she was left alone.
e" Really l think am the luckicst little crea-
turc in the world. Only five dollars But
then she was Obliged to sell them, and that of
course, makes all the difference in the world"
And now must 60 and order that bon
net" soliloquized Nina, clasping the bracelets
on her pretty round arms. and contemplating
adnliringly. for Rr. Cation has invited me
to drive out with him to morrow. How for
tunate it was he didn't happen to call while
Anna was here. He used to be rather an nd.
mirer Of hers before the family dropped out
Of society, and I've no idea of loosing my
handsome beau to any pale-faced dowdy girl" |"
The fashionable miliners room was filled
with the creme q Ia creme Of the shopping
community that afternoon, as Miss Pelham
swept in, her camers hair shawl bringing
faint odor Of camphor wood in the rustic of its
rich folds, and her heavy, brocaded dress
trailing full half yard Oh the floor. She
Autterod from table to stand, gancing at the
various attractions, and dispensing gracious
word here and there, until at length she cume
to standstll fascinated by an elegant chepe,u
which had been produced from its bandbox for
her special dclectation.
"Oh. what beauty! Do tell me the price
Madame she calculated, with sparkling eyes
:" ) trifc-a mere triac," said the milliner,
patting the strings with the soft little hands
around the taper fingers of which fashionabl.
ladies' were daily wound" by the score.
Thirty five dollars in all" - ''--.-
" Thiriy-dvc dollars! hardly dare pay
so much for bonnet, Madame, said Nina.
" Papa scolds about my extravaganza already,
and makes such awful faces over the bills that
are sent in to him"
g but such lovely bonnet. mademoisolle
Pelham ! such sweet gem of taste!
The WHY Madame D'Herlot held up the
article under the discussion. and turned it one
way and then the other. SO that the sunshine
fell full OH the delicate white velvet, shadowed
with creamy point-lace and foau-lke plumes
1t was enough to tempt any woman living. !
and Nina felt her economical resolutions eb-
bng away in spite Of herself. .a
" The roses in front arc the shade Of rink
most becoming to Madarnoisellc Pelha,n,"
urged the silver voice modiste and see
thuse mossy buds under the gruszes Thirty
Eve dollars is nothing absolutely nothing
for such hat as that" f.-s ut -,s.s. /
g must have it," said Nina, decidedly !
/" Send it home at once, Madame Ii papa
chooses to scold. can't help it," @
And as she entered the waiting carriagc
she said to herself: ,.a....-.l.-. |
e can really afford to buy an expensive
bonnet just nov. for economised 80 much |
so much about those bracelets ..,..
The brief colaquy between the belle and
the mlliner had had two auditors of whose
presence Nina was unconscious. DR.. Carle-
ton and his sister were waiting in On alioin.
ing ante room for some triainf alteration to
be made in Miss Carleton's sober brown
chupeuu She turned to her brother with an
arch glance as the camel's hair shawl and
rich brocade rustled down the stairs.
So. Ned" she said. rather naiciously,
as sisters are wont to speak of ladies whom