Indiana American. [volume] (Brookville, Ind.) 1865-1872, 1868-04-24
WHITE HANDS,

"N' tttt AN'o tdilnCl ~ thc hut "
tho parlof window on bright winlei
morning Letting fall the magazine il
Which she had been reading, she lookcc
compIacepily at the delicate, iaper 6ngers
thpflpy among the crimson folds Of hel
dress. Her other hand. adorned with
snowy cuts aud simple bracelet Of JET
crushed tie brown carIs that fell over her
brow.
Il was a pretty scene for those whs
passed Though the frozen street on thai
clear, cold morning. radiant, lovely pie
ture Tne lace curtain drawn aside, th,
arm chair of blue plush aud the graceful
form that filled il. the merino dress looked
warm and feecy in the sunshine, the
young head lensiyely bowed, the downcasi
eyes aud delicate profile, The shining curli
aud The lovely hand carelessly pressing
them II looked beautiful, and KaIo' knew
il. So she sat still, gazing refectiyely al
the snowy hand on her knee.
"Oh, dear" she sighed, II wish | had
a rinel I'd give all the world for soli-
tairic like Madge Marden's. How ar'fully
she put up her little Eat hand, and pre-.
tended 10 be biting her finger nails 80 that
| might see her diamondl Engaged to be
married. the ideal She, as plsa as pipe
stem, and not much longer, engaged
And -, well, every body knows that am
pretty, aud where's the harm of knowing
il myself TO face the truth. I've never
bad an 'oferl Ofcourse Madge is a fool.
| woudu'i have Dick Jay it he was hung
with jewels from his nose to his toes-not
Il But there is Que l would have, aud
obi Wouldn't have diamonds too? Well,
II takes two rings TO get married, and
haven't either OF them. 10 be sure there
is time enough yet. I'm just eighteen
aud prettier than any girl | know, If do
say il, Shan't feel old when | get TO be
twenty though"
Kate was interrupted by the entrance
Of her mother, faded woman Of hiiy,
whose whole appearance indicated lie Of
labor.
Kate" said Mrs. Palmer, with some
severity. You must DO something. am
so tired that l eau hardly stand, and here
you sit, hour after hour, iding away your
time You must DO differently. You
must change your course. can not do
all the work any longer. The weather is
too cold, and AIN not we'll. Change your
dress immediately and come down stairs -
Her daughter neither moved or spoke,
aud Mrr. Palmer s-Hk, dejeetediy into the
nearest chair.
''rhere. mother, criel * te, "you will
spoil that plush! rhe idea of sitting in
the parlor with such looking dress!"
Those words, ''lhe idea" conveyed
kates strongest contempt. Mrs. Pal
mers face wore an expression OF despair.
"My daughter" she said quietly, but in
voice that shook with feeling, u aui
growing old. have labored hard 10 bring
YOU up according to my theory of right.
Toe laie | see that | vas wrong. [ have
denied myself thousand things. that ou
might be denied no hing From your
intuncy | have dressed you elegantly, and
always at the expense cf my own comfort.
Year in aud year out, have toiled like u
slave that You might enjoy the best ad
,antages. What reSard have |? | was
content 20 live In four pleasant rooms, but
you wanted more style; and since | had
never learned to deny you, L came here.
Was content with ihree-ply carpets aud
furniture Vt mahogany aud halr-cloih.
You must need have ,sels, and plush,
with rosewood and marble You were
grali6ed, but at terrible sacrificed Then
l never kept "a servant, now | certainly
eau not. Yet the work is four times what
il was, and naturally thought that you
would assist me, bat mistook. You
must be dressed in elegance at all Illness
anything is good enough for me-. b
not eveu 20 to church tor want OF n
apparel. Your white hands mast not be
soiled--l look at mine, they are bruiscd d
aud chapped and swollen; but no matierl
IL is no one but mother, aud she is oldl
Yes, my child am old; aud scarcely able
To toIl on as | have done. | eau mot
loag fear that You viii iv rcmem
!Ih.s with many vain regret"
The daughter was silent, and the weary
disappointed mother rose aud left the
rouni.
II don't care,' said Kate peiulantly, as
soon as the door was closed. Il can help
it. II she does work. don't think | oughl
10 spoil my hands "A fne hand is on,
oi be first points of beauty 60 it Is
aud as long as eau keep mine fine
shall Mother is 50 inconsideraie! She
might know that | wouldn't be ht Tor 80
ciety, aud would never be married in Iht
word IT my hands were disigured Will
house work.
A Grm iuotstep sounded on the side
walk, aud Kate looked eagerly out
With blush of pleasure she returned the
bow Of fue looking young man who
passed the house. aud then, as IL from
sudden impulse, turned back, ran up ih'
steps, and rang the bell. Mrs. Palmer "a:
usual, attended the door.
When he entered the door, Horace
Magma found Kate with one exquisit,
baud still supporting her head, and The
other carelessly holding magazine o
fashion. She was just as beaetiiul nay
more beautiful than when he saw her from
the street.
Her checks elowed with emotion; hei
soft eyes beamed upon hun With wehom'
slom their clear. blue depths; her ILL
hand trcmbled in his, and the msSazip'
fell beside her daintily sliprored foot iha
rested on a velvet cushion.
But the light had quite faded from th
young mans face. lie had ssdsenl.
\ grown cold ana distant. She Was a
4 graceful, as aRable, as entertaining us ev
er, but Horace said. little and depaFteI
I soon. lie never called apaia. Kate