Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1870-08-06

1Auu Cuo VUVA uOiu u 11Of9tl8 arm
and assisted her progress with vigorous
push.
Mrs. Dysart came uext-an elegant
widow with an ivory pure complexion
curls like the tendrils of q grape vine.
whose obstinate riggs she was always ID.
menting. This time our heroine knew
botter than to 80 to the front steps, and
made her way meekly to the area bell.
Strawberries, is it" said the little
girl who came to the door. "I'll ask the
missis."
Mrs. Dysart herself presently came to
the door, aud Horatia started to see the
marvellous dissimilarity between Mrs.
Dysart of society aud Mrs. Dysart at
home. Her skin was sallow, wriukIed and
blotchcd, here aud there, from the too
frequent use Of powerful cosmetics, her
hair was screwed up into little pap;lloses
secured by pins, making perfect checa ar
de frisc Of head; her beautiful figure was
lathy and straight like pump draped in
calico
Strawberries Of course not at this
season Of the year," said Mrs. Dysart,
snappishly. "Pm not made of money I"
And she slammed the door in Horatia's 8
face.
"Miss Ferrars will buy them, at all
events" said .Horatia to herself" Lucille
Ferrars was always noble. hearted and gen.
crous."
"How much are they?" said the fair
Lucille, coming to the head of the base
ment stairs, in dis1nJlle of greasy CASH.
mere and soiled white apron.
"Eighteen cents basket"
"Pshaw" said Lucille, surercilliously.
/" As if | was going to pay such price as
that Ill give you ten"
They are unusually fne, " said Horatia,
tiuilly.
:" I shan't give cent over eleven
Hbratia turned away.
81 wonder you fruit girls have the face
to ask such price," said Miss Lucy
Ferrars, lingering her purse strings.
Twelve, therc-and that's more than
they're worth"
q cannot sell them under the price l
have named" persisted Horatia, shrinking
from the sharp glitterins eyes.
"Go about you. business then !" said
Lucille. "I'll see the whole tribe Of YOU
starvc, before I'll be imposed upon so Z"
Horata felt herself fdisenchanted. Could
it be possible that this shrewish miser was
her soft-voiced friend. Lucille Ferrars
Perhaps Uncle Pelcg's view. Of hu-
man nature may not be so very much
amiss, after ALL" she said, with half.
sigh, after she had made some half dozen
or more pilgrimages, and more than half
of her berries remained unsold.
Miss Parker's house was the last on her
list Horatia had let it remain until all
the other places had been visited, she her.
self could hardly have told why-perhaps
because Justus Parker had been her part
ner in the German" the night before.
She liked Justus Parker-yct she some.
how distrustcd his gentle, nice and smooth
manner
Il am afraid it is all put on, she
said to herself. But Uncle Pelcg was
determined l should 90 there, and will
not shrink, now that the ordeal is so nearly
over"
The servant requested her. to go up and
sec the young lady herself" she's in her
own room mostly"
Horatia had heard Of Laura Parker's
lingering spine disease, although she never
had seen her. And her heart beat slight.
ly as she ascended the softly. .carpeted
fight of stairs, carrying her basket of
berries.
Justus was sitting on low chair beside
his sisters sofa, at the further end Of the
room; he rose and came forward as the
stranger entered.
"This basket is too heavy for you to
carry" he said, taking it from her arm
aud moving forward . seat, with . sort of
unconscious chivalry.
cit is not so heavy as it seems" said
she somewhat bitterly, and If il were, I am
nothing but strawberry woman"
"But I suppose strawberry woman has
feelings and sensations like other people"
said Justus Parker, smiling. "Sit down a
moment, while my sister looks at your
fruit"
"You must be very warm," said Laura
Parker gently. clay back your veil.
Justus, please ring for a glass Of water"
Horatis accepted the water, but refused to
unfold her veil. 1t was altogether too
good medium for her to observe the quiet
tenderness with which Justus Parker
treated his invalid sister-the open Bible
on the table, the fresh flowers by tho sofa,
all mute tokens Of thoughtful love and
care.
Miss Parker bought half dozen baskets
of berries, without word of exception to
the price.
"They are the finest have seen this
year {" she said. "You must come again
when you have more"
Horatia Mere's cheeks were burning
when she made her escape at last, both
basket aud heart considerably lightened.
swell, uncle !" she cried gleefully,
when she at length reached home, II have
earned the Triomphe de Grands !"
Have you been to all the places :"
UYes al %