Mineral Point weekly tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1859-1868, 1868-03-25

1 "
alton on her pretty face She shut
opened the inner one with a decided
jerk.
oIsn't it too bad, mamma 2"
Then she paused abruptly as she saw
| that her mother was not alone and
Mrs. Bond said hastily:
"My dear, here is Mr.. Alton"
Elias face cleared, and she came
forward with smile to welcome the
handsome and wealthy Mr. Tom. AL
ton, who had of late been her most de-
voted admirer. He met her with a
cordial greeting, looking down at the
bright brown eyes very kindly, as he
asked
"And what is it that is too bad,
Miss Ella ?"
Nothing very much-at least moth
ing you would care to hear about"
Il care about anything that inter
ests You" he said, gallantly. Mayn't
l near what it was ?"
Its only my vexatious dressmaker.
"And what has the provoking crea-
ture done" asked Mr. Alton, with
an amused smile.
"You may laugh, " pouted Ella, ''but
it really is verv annoying when she
disappoints me, as she says she must
now"
Yes, poor Ella has been very
much tried by her." said Mrs. Bond,
coming to the rescue; "but what is it
now, my love?"
"She says she can't possibly have
my dress done for Mrs. Hoyt's ball"
"Not have it done?" cried Mrs.
Bond, looking as much dismayed as
Ella, "why, that Is outrageous !"
"What is the trouble about it, Miss
Ella ?" asked Mr.. Alton. Cant |
help you in any way ? | don't like to
have YOU disappointed .
Elias face flushed with pleasure
His manner was so pointedly interest
ed He had not yet asked her the
all-important question that should
change her from the rather impecuri-
Gus Miss Bond to the wealthy Mrs.
Alton, but his manner to-day was
more like a serious suitor than ever
before. She laughed lightly as she
answered.
Il don't see how you can help me,
as you can't make quillings."
"Quillings What are they? |
like a quill pen better than any other;
has that anything to do with 1t ?"
s.No no ! Quillings are kind of
trimming and, you see, my dress was
to have the skirt quite covered with
alternate rows Of pink and white
tarleton quillmgs-someth'ng like
rufles, you know" she explained.
Pink and white You would be
very fascinating in that. Perhaps it
is well for the peace Of mind of your
friends that the dress should not be
done"
i want it to wear though" said
Ella
Then you certainly ought to have
| it," Mr.. Alton answered, as though
he were speaking to a spoiled child.
But you see, Mr.. Alton, it is a very
great deal of work, and Just at this
season the dressmakers are all so
busy
Cant they hire extra laborers ?"
suggested Mr.. Alton.
Not that are skilled in the bust
ness" said Mrs. Bond. "Now the
trimming on Elias dress can only be
done as we wish it by one Of Dutille's
girls"
That's Just it," said Ella, MADAME
told me to-day that Miss Johnson was
ILL.,"
Ill! That is vexatious !"
Il dare say she has been working
very hard, said Mr. Alton.
Yes: Dutille said she had been
up half the night for the last week,
working at the skirt, and now, when
it is almost done, she must 90 and fall
III 1 think she might have waited
another week before she had her in
convenient illness"
Mr.. Alton looked sharply at the
pretty face of the speaker, but the
words were spoken in earnest. There
was no shadow of softness on the ro-
81 lips, and the bright brown eyes
were hard and ghttering.
You would rather have had her
keep on at all risks ?" asked Mr.. AL
ton
Yes. If she had finished the dress
| should not have cared what happen
ed afterwards"
1t IS really very trying. No won
der that dear Ella is a little vexed,
Mrs. Bond hurried to say. for she had
caught q look on Mr.. Alton's face that
/ frightened her. Ella also took warn,
ing
Il dare say. after all, the girl is only
shamming," she said. 1t is holiday
times, now, and these girls often play
/ III to get vacation"
But if it is so its 8 shame YOU
should be disappointed about your dress
/ y ny don't Won find out if this sewing
/ girl Is really III or not ~
Ella opened her eyes. How can II"
Why, so to her home, wherever
1t may be-
60 to her home Why, Mr.. Al
ton, it IS probably in some wretched
tenement house I"
And are YOU afraid to so there ?
.'Of course | am.
Then III tell YOU what; | have
found something I can do for YOU.
viii 20 and find out about this delin-