Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1870-07-16
THE DISGUISED HEIRESS.

need scarcely be wondered at, for the cues
tons upon which she was pondcring af-
fected her deeply.
She was an heiress, having come into
possession, at her majority, Of fifty thou
sand dollars. She was prepossessing in
her appearance, and this, as. was natural,
added to the report of her wealth, which, /,
as usual. was considerably exaggerated, ,
brought her suitors in plenty. Among
them she made choice of William Winsor,
and in few weeks they were to be mar
ricd.
William was engaged in the wholesale
G.,"thng trade, and had the reputation of
n sba,;:. active man of business. He was
of good appearacc a,:d so far as could be
judged was match evel for the heiress.
Nothing to his prejudice had come to the
ear Of Miss Vernon, until the day before.
A poor woman had come to the door in
evident poverty, and asked for relief. On
being questioned, she said she had been
employed in making shirts at twelve cents
apiece for wholesale dealers-that after
making dozen and carrying them to the
store, she had been roughly told that they
were spoiled, and nothing would be paid
her for her work but she might have
some more if she agreed 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 pretending
that the work was unsatisfactory done,
when really no fault could be reasonably
found with it.
The sum, small as it was, of which she
had been defrauded, was all.important to
her, as it represented nearly a weeks
work.
"Only dollar and forty-four cents for
a weeks work ~ exclaimed Miss Vernon
in dsmay.
That's all" said the poor woman.
/" How, then, do you live ?"
"It can hardly be called living. 1t is
just barely keeping soul and body to-
gcther."
"Aud who is this extortioner, that first
offers you starving wages, and then de-
frauds you out Of them?" asked Miss
Vernon, Indignantly.
William Winsor."
Who?" demanded Miss Vernon,
quickly.
William Winsor"
"I can hardly believe this I know
the gentleman"
''It is true, and if you investigate the
matter, you will find it to be the truth"
II will investigate the matter. Here
is five dollars for your present needs.
Come here tomorrow at this time, and l
may have some work for you to do"
The poor woman departed, invoking
blessings upon the heiress.
"I will look into this" said Margaret
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 next
morning to the chambermaid. shave you
an old dress and shabby cloak and bonnet
that you can lend me?"
II have some that are so poor that l
am not going to wear them again." said
Nancy, surprised at such an inquiry.
"Will you lend them to me 7"
"Of course, Miss; but what would the
likes of you want Of such old clothes ?"
CA little fun, that is ALL" said Miss
Vernon. {" I am going to disguise myself,
and see if can't deceive somebody"
With this explanation Nancy was con-
tent, and produced the clothes. Miss
Vernon put them on, and in addition bor-
rowcd of another of the servants thick
green veil, somewhat the worse for wear,
and then set out on her mission. No one
in her disguise would have recognized the
usually elegantly dressed hciress, Miss
Margaret Vernon.
Miss Vernon slipped out Of the base
ment door, and took her way to a large
store, on which was inscribed the name Of
William Winsor, in large gilt letters.
She entered, and after awhile q clerk
spoke to her in n rough voice.
"Well, what do you want"
81 want to get some work." she replied
in low voice.
ave can give you some shirts"
"Anything."
"Can you sew well?"
II think so."
"At any rate, we will try you"
A half dozen shirts were given to Miss
Vernon, and she was informed, if satisfac.
torily done, she would be paid twelve
cents apiece. These she carried home,
slipping in at the back door.
Two hours later the poor woman called.
"Here are some shirts for you to make"
said Miss Vernon.
UWhv thev are the same as / have
been making" said the woman in sur
prise.
"That is true. and they came from the
same place"
cam l to bring them back there 7"
"No. You will bring them here. l
will pay you for the work when done,
double the price you have been receiv-
ing"
Thank you, Miss; you are very
kind"
"Scw them as neatly as possible. !
wish to Coo ,vhathor %hov v;ll ha reiectod