The Monmouth inquirer., 1865-09-14


matter, | had fallen heartily, and tho't
then, irrevocably, in love / felt sure, too,
that Horace Weir had loved me- There
had been no engagement between us, but
when he went away in the spring of 1860
to study for three years in the hospitals
of Paris--he was to be physieian-I
think we had both felt sure of each 9th
ers hearts, and looked forward to fu-
ture together almost as confidently as if
we had been betrothed.
/ felt sure that in giving up my old as
sociations and entering upon this new life
I was giving him up also II we had been
engaged had faith enough in him to feel
sure that he would have been changed by
no change of fortune But, as it was, |
had not the shadow of claim on him.
should drop ont of his life. ! will con
fess that / suffered keenly at the pros
pect. l would have clung to him if
could For his sake would have clung,
if could, to position and old associa-
tions But the simple fact was | could
not. If l had been willing to starve gen
teelly. was not willing that my mother
should, and there was no resource but to
go to work just then took up Bible
lying near me, with some vague idea of
finding comfort and direction. and, curl
ously enough, my eyes fell upon this pas
sage:
a"And the Lord said unto Moses, speak
unto the children of Israel that they 90
| forward +"
was just in the Of state mind to receive
these words as special direction-a sort
of omen | took them as an indication
that l had chosen the right path and
must walk on in it. So / tried to be
brave----to cease to think of Horace Weir
to suppress every repining thought, ev-
cry longing for the old, old days of ease
and luxury, and to content myself with
the present. l trusted that should sue
ceed. / felt sure should, if I could but
once make a beginning would let the
old life go. and commence this new one
bravely. had used on my sign my mid
die name, Macgregor, only l trusted
that if my old friends ever chanced to
read my advertisement they would not as
sociate Miss Macgregor, the dress maker,
withsIIeion Mavsregor bryce, Utiti, rIivud
of the old time. Perhaps this was a
weakness (; at any rate it harmed no one,
and Macgregor was more imposing
name than Bryce would have been To
be imposing, to be elegant, to become the
fashion, was my only hope. | had sold
two diamond rings Of considerable value
for money enough to start me fairly but
if in the two months to come, | could not
secure apaying run Of custom, / should
have lost my last chance
The vefy next morning magnificent
looking dame walked into my room, state
ly after the manner of Boston, with a
certain severe majesty appropriate to the
hub Of the universe She was followed by
two pretty Young ladies. / had made a
distinguished toilet that morning, and for
stateliHess it would go hard if I could not
me tch her. She bowed loftily. bowed
loftily in response, and offered Chairs.
Miss Macgregor, suppose"
Bow the second on my part.
81 saw your advertisement last even
ing, and came to talk with you about
some dresses Lubec has disappointed
me so many times, that if I could find
some one equally good who would be
punctual, it would be satisfaction to
make change"
Bow the third. o...,
"Are you very busy, Miss Macgregor."
Not at all SO. To-day has been the
first day I have been open, and you are
my first caller" a
Then followed whispered consultation
of the mamma and the talest young lady
/ knew they were debating whether it
would be safe TO trust stranger whose
work they had never seen, whose first
patrons they were. waited in appar-
ent unconcern. watching the customers
go in and out Of the store opposite.
Is You are sure." the lady began again,
turning back to me, " that YOU would
have no difficulty in fitting us for the first
time ?" aY ,
81 apprehend none, madam"
Sand for trimmings--what fashion
books do you use ~ grsf s4eR
None; have them all, but / invent
my own styles. for the most part
Upon that the youngest daughter
spoke. in pleasant baby-like voice:
!" That will be nice, mamma. We shall
not be copies of every one else"
/" 1t would be BETTER" the elder lady
replied, :" if we could try some more com
mon dresses FIRST, but there seems to be
no time. Could you get two light silks
done for wedding reception, day after
tomorrow II sd
Certainly, since. as / said, you have
the fortune to come first"
Then you will fit my daughters this
morning y
/" At once" a1s,8s s
/ led the way into the other room,
where Miss Granger sat waiting.
its White linen Innings, Miss Granger .
/ said with an air of command; !" and
please pin them on Immediately
| Madam started at this with gesture
of alarm. a
"Do you not fit them on yourself n
ooLaJa Ero, ,xbao II +: 4