The evening Argus. [volume] (Rock Island, Ill.) 1861-1871, 1870-11-26
The UaExPECTED RIVAL.

SooZen gas lets, throwing through crihson
cnrtalned windows rich glow upon Inc
snow covered pavement without.
Within that curtained room where naugnt
seemed wanting OF beauty or luxury,
Young girl stood behind the drspery, gazing
out into the stormy night, and tapping her
little foot ;mps,isntly on the floor, while an
expression OF angry discomfort Swallowed
face perfect in its outline and coloring,
marring sadly it's otherwise exquisite loveli-
ness.
The snow fell thick and fast, and but few
pedestrians we're abroad.
Suddenly, with gesture OF vexation and
disappointment, she dashed aside the folds
of crimson, and advanced to the freside
exclsiming:
at is provoking, intolerable provoking.-
Here l have been watching for that girl tor
one hour. What does she mean by this
delay shall be raging am dlsaP-
pointed of my dress this evening OF Gil
Others"
"Why surely, Ella you are not going out
in this tempest 2" said noble looking
silver haired man who entered the room, just
in time to catch her words.
Indeed, but | am, Guardy, Doctor
Hunter is coming for me to go to Mrs
Eriston's ball, and | would not miss it for the
world. am determined to crown me
reisning belle of the season, by bringing
him TO my fee if possible before another
dav dawns. He is the best match in the
city, and l mean to secure him at once.
you speak confidently said Mr..
Revere.
Turn we now to another home, the abode
Of poverty, where Mary Gray, the young
seamstress, is bending over her work, q
richly EN- broidered dress, whose silver lilies
of the valley, with richly tinted blue bells,
are artistically wrought 10 graceful patterns on
a ground work Of white silk. 1t is the dress
for which the beautiful heiress is waiting
the dress in which she expects to capture
the best match in the city.
Very lovely is Mary Gray, though no rose
bud tint blooms on the pure white Of her
CON plextion-very lovely, though her
glorious eyes, shaded BY long silken lsshes,
are dimmed with watching and tears. Her
fngers fly nimbly over the task, nearly
completed, the payment for which is to
bring needed supplies to those who for two
days have scarcely tasted food-her invalid
mother and little sister Lucy, who is nest
ling at her feet, crying with hunger. The
work is completed a. last, and Mary, draw
ing the child fondly to her side, says
soothingly:
Hush darling hush sister is going to
take home the dress snd bring you nice
little feast. Twenty-Five dollars we'll have
Tor this, won't we be rich my pet
Tears filed her eyes, but she brushed
them hastily away, as well known rap at
the door heard, followed by the appear
auce at an elegant looking man, who hold
ing out his hand to Mary said pleasantly:
Il sm earlier than usual this evening, but
I am obliged to escort g fair lady to a 0a!l
At 10 clock, and thought ] would look IN
Gu my patient before commencing my tot
.e.te."
"Oh, Doctor, how can l thank you for
your kindness p said Mary, raising her
sparkling eyes to his face, but dropping
them again instantly she met the warm
gaze of admiration in his. while crimson
bushes brig htened her face into new beauty
Mother is worse, fear, Doctor" said
Mary. She appears quite exhausted this
evening
Has she had proper nourishmens to-
day q
Mamma has had nothing to sa, to-day
broke In Lucy, and sister and | haven /
had anything either but dry bread, but sister
is going to get some TO night"
flush Lucy, said Mary while q painful
bright countenance. doctor, excuse her
she talks too fast F"
An anxious, enquiring gaze rested on her
and in voice trem bling with emotion, the
Doctor exclaimed
MARY, is it indeed SO 2" She nodded
assent.
Giving but glance at his patient, whose
pale face spoke of suffering aud want, even
III sleep, he left hastily. And Mary neatly
folding her work, started out in the 6erct
storm to carry the dress to the heiress, WHIT
set chatting a, her delay.
Mary's father had once been rich, bu
crushed by adversely, be died. and lett hi.
family poor, and his wife an invalid.
DR.. Hunter had known them in their days
Of pros perity and, OF his return from the
continent, a month previous to our story,
had sought them out and offered bis services
gratuitously-an offer gratefully accepted
He knew they were poor. but never til
Lucy's revelation had be dreamed of the
extent of that poverty. Her loveliness had
made deep impression on his heart, and
when he left them that night, it was with
the firm resolve to shield them in the future
under his protecting love, from all life's
cares and SORROWS.
Il was indeed fierce storm that Mary
was to encounter on her way to Mrs. Re-
vere's splendid mansion, and her progress,
vas slow.
As chilled By the singing blast, and hal
blinded BY the snow, she staggered up tbs
steps OF the handsome mansion and rang tbs
bell, sleigh dashed up to the door, ane
when it was opened to the girl, geu.en al
aGghted and ran lightly up, passing in ert
it ives closed and saying to the servant:
81 will wal, for Miss Ella il the drawing
room"
Mary started she knew the voice of DR.
Hunter and not wishing to be recognized
drew her hood closely around her face.
Poor girl, what night for q woman &c
be abroad" said the Doctor.
He little dreamed who he was plying.
Directed By the servant, Mary tapped
Lightly at the door of the opposite room. i
was opened by Ella Raymond in a towering
rage, her face distorted by passion.
so you have come al last, she exclam-
ed, angriiy two hours behiud time. die
think, Mary Gray, you were poor enoug b te
have that one virtue of puuctuality.'
. an sorry | have disappointed you
Miss hammond. have sat up there nights
until dsy break to complete II in time, but
iny mother has been very I'll and needed my
care which must be my excuse.
Dr. Hunter, in the drawing room, caught
the sllvery accents, and-forgive him, read,
CT, listened.
What is your mothers sickness TO me
! GU promised the dress at seven, and
now it ia nine. Your excuse is q poor
one.
8 Believe me, l regret it, but it was in
possible for me TO come earlier. lou will
oblige me, as | an IN haste, il you will now
pay me for it and let me GO"
8 Pay you, indeed! Not /. III Eunisn you
for your tardness. I'll teach YOU to make
promises and break them. just as MANY
hours "a you have kept me waiting for my
dress, SO many days will / keep YOU out OF
Your money"
Oh Miss Raymond, you will not. you
cannot he 80 cruel. Ny mother is i'll and
rneds nnuria hn,nr. -.---..