Clayton herald. (Clayton, Del.) 1867-1870, 1869-04-17
THE DISGUISED HEIRESS.

MISS VERNON sat thoughtfully a
H4 her window plunged in deel
thought. This need be scarcely won
dered at, for the question upon whicl
she was ponderiDg affected her nearly.
She was an heiress, having come into
possession, at her majority, of fifty thou
sand dollars. She was prepossessing il
her appearanceF-und this as was natural
as usual, was considerably exaggerated
and brought her suffers in plenty
Among them shemade choice of William
Winsor, and in few weeks they were tc
be married.
William was aserhaged in the wholesale
clothing businesSv and had the reputa
ton of an active, Sharp man of business
He was of good s4pearance, and SO fai
as could be judged, was good match fol
the heiress. Nothing to his prejudice
had come to the eiars Of Miss Vernon un-
til the day before. "a poor woman had
come to the door in evident poverty, and
asked for relief. On being questioned
she said that she had been employed in
making shirts at tWelYe cents apiece foi
wholesale dealers-that after making a
dozen and carrying them to the store,
she had been roughly told thatthey were
quite spoiled and that nothing would be
paid her for her work; but that she might
have more, if she would agree to make
them better. She added that this was
one of the small ways in which the firm
made money out of poor women, by pre-
tending that their work was unsatisfac-
torily done, when really no fault could
reasonably by found.
The sum, small as it was, of which she
had been defrauded, was all important
to her, as it represented nearly weeks
work.
"Only dollar and forty-four cents
for weeks work?" exclaimed Miss
Vernon, in dismay.
"That's all, sais the woman.
"How, then, do you liver"
at can hardly be called living. It's
just barely keeping body and soul to-
gether," said the woman.
"And who is this extortioner that first
offers you starvation wages then de-
frauds you of them?'' asked Miss Yer
non very Indignantly.
William Winsor.
Who?" demanded Miss Vernon,
firmly, Guieslx..lzz y -....-........
+" can hardly believe this. / know
the gentleman"
at is true, and if you will investigate
the matter you will find it to be So"
al will Investigate the matter. Here
are five dollars for your present needs
Come here to morrow at this time, may
have some work fer you to do"
The woman departed, invoking bles
sings upon the heiress.
II will look into this" said Margere
Vernon, resolutely, "and, if it proves
true, the engagement between William
Winsor and myself shall be broken.
will not give myself to such man.
"Nancy," said Miss Vernon the mex
morning TO the chambermaid, "hav'
you an old dress and shabby cloak ant
bonnet that you can lend me?"
al have got some that are so poor tina
1 am not going to wear them again." salt
Nancy, surprised at such an inquiry.
"Will you lend them to me?"
"Of course; Miss but what would III
likes of you want with such oil
clothes?
"a little fun, that is all, said Mis-
} Vernon. 81 am going to disguise my
Self and see if can't deceive some
body"
With this explanation Nancy was con
tent, and produced the clothes. Mis-
Vernon put them on, and in addition
borrowed of another of the servants
thick green veil, somewhat the worse 70
wear, and then set out on her mission
No one, in her disguise, would hav
recognized the usually elegant and rich
ly dressed heiress, Miss Margaret Wen
> non.
Miss Vernon slipped out of the base
ment door and took her way to larg
store, on which was inscribed the nam
of William Winsor, in large gilt lei
ters.
She entered, and after a while cler
spoke to her in rough voice.
7 swell, what do you want ?"
81 want to get some work." she salt
in low voice.
l 1--WE can give you some shirts"
< Anything" -
"Can you sew we'll ?"
7 at lhink so.'
"Atany rate, we will try you."
, A half dozen shirts were given TO Mis-
, Vernon, and she wes informed that
satisfactorily done, she would be pal
3 twelve cents apiece. These she carrie
: home, slipping in at the back door.
About two hours later the poor woma
: called.
, "Here are some shirts for you
I, make" said Miss Vernon.
"Why, they are the same as I hay
been making" said the woman, in grei
surprise.
"That is true, and they came from IL
same place."
tam I to take them back to IL
! store?"
"No, you will bring them here.
!. !. will pay for the work when done, dol
BILE the price you have been receiving
"Thank you, Miss, you are so vei
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